In New Hampshire today, Romney said, "Look, I'm not running for the rich people. Rich people can take care of themselves, alright. They're doing just fine. I'm running for middle-class Americans.” But, Democratic National Committee press secretary Melanie Roussell responded "Mitt Romney's policies tell a different story than his rhetoric. His economic plan would do next to nothing for middle-class families, but would give huge tax breaks to the wealthiest and corporations. So which Mitt is the real Mitt Romney?"
Romney’s economic plan would cut taxes on corporations and the wealthiest Americans and do almost nothing for the middle class
Romney Would Keep The Bush Tax Cuts For The Wealthiest Americans. “Mr. Romney said he would keep the Bush-era income-tax cuts unchanged. Mr. Obama wants the cuts, which were set to expire this year, to disappear for the wealthiest taxpayers.” [Wall Street Journal, 9/6/11]
· Extending The Bush Tax Cuts For The Top 2 Percent Would Add $700 Billion To The Deficit. [OMB, The Budget for FY2012, Table S-2, pg. 173]
Romney Called For Lowering The Corporate Income Tax Rate To 25% From The Current 35% Though Tax Breaks Allow Many US Companies To Pay Little Or No Corporate Tax. “Mr. Romney called for lowering the corporate income tax to 25% from the current 35%. That rate is high compared with other advanced economies, but tax breaks allow many U.S. companies to pay little or no corporate tax. Mr. Romney said a lower rate would encourage companies to keep more operations within the U.S.” [Wall Street Journal, 9/6/11]
· Cutting the Corporate Tax Rate To 25 Percent Would Cost $915.5 Billion. [Analysis of the Paul Ryan Budget Plan, Tax Policy Center, 4/7/11]
Romney Would Eliminate The Estate Tax. Romney “would seek a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution, cut non-security discretionary spending by 5 percent, eliminate the estate tax and undo the 2010 health care overhaul championed by President Barack Obama.” [AP, 9/6/11]
· Eliminating The Estate Tax Would Cost $178 Billion. The CBO/JCT estimates Mitt Romney’s proposal on the estate tax would cost $178 billion. [CBO, “Reducing the Deficit: Spending and Revenue Options, March 2011]
Romney Said He Would Eliminate Capital Gains For People Making Less Than $200,000 But Most Capital-Gains Are Paid By The Richest Americans And The Romney Campaign Didn’t Offer An Impact Estimate. “He would eliminate taxes on interest, dividends and capital gains for people making less than $200,000 a year. A campaign spokeswoman declined to offer estimates of the proposal's budget impact ‘because they are still being refined and finalized.’ Most capital-gains taxes are paid by the richest Americans, and Democrats said Mr. Romney's plan would have scant effect.” [Wall Street Journal, 9/6/11]
· Romney’s Plan To Allow Those Earning $200,000 To Save Their Money From Interest, Dividends Or Capital Gains Would Equate An Average Benefit Of $70 A Year. “On a more substantive note, Romney’s plan to help ‘the great middle class’ is to allow those ‘earning $200,000 a year and less ought to be able to save their money tax-free, no tax on interest, dividends, or capital gains.’ And how much would that benefit the average, middle-income earner? About $70 a year. No, that’s not a typo. Romney wants to give massive tax breaks to the wealthy and corporations, but his idea of boosting the middle class is a tax break that hardly matters at all.” [Washington Monthly, 9/22/11]
· Tax Policy Center: Romney’s Cut To Capital Gains For People Who Earn $200,000 Or Less Is “A Bit Of An Odd Way To Do It” Because It Would Effect A Small Number Of People – “It Is A Sort Of A Political Have Your Cake And Eat It Too.” “As a part of what Romney calls his ‘Middle Class Tax Savings Plan,’ the former Massachusetts governor said he would eliminate taxes on capital gains and dividends for people who earn less than $200,000. Joe Rosenberg, a research associate with the non-partisan Tax Policy Center, said cutting investment income taxes only for people making less than $200,000 is ‘a bit of an odd way to do it’ because such a small number of people at or below that income level bring in much money from capital gains or dividends. ‘It is sort of a political have your cake and eat it, too,’ Rosenberg said. ‘You’re not going to propose something extreme such as eliminating all capital gains and dividends, but you will throw it out there as a signal that you’re sympathetic to that point of view.’” [ABC, 9/12/11]
· Citizens For Tax Justice Director Criticized Romney’s Plan Saying “For People Earning Below $100,000, Cutting The Tax Rate On Interest, Dividends, And Capital Gains Means Almost Nothing.” “‘For people earning below $100,000, cutting the tax rate on interest, dividends, and capital gains means almost nothing,’ said Robert S. McIntyre, director of Citizens for Tax Justice. ‘For those people earning between $100,000 and $200,000, you might be talking several hundred dollars in tax savings. Then, the question is, does he really have a plan that cuts off exactly at $200,000? That would be nuts - the person who makes $200,001 would be kind of angry.’” [Boston Globe, 9/8/07]
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Monday, October 10, 2011
FACT CHECK – MITT ROMNEY’S FOREIGN POLICY SPEECH AT THE CITADE
Please see below a fact check of Mitt Romney’s foreign policy speech today at The Citadel.
Romney Claim: President Obama has weakened America.
FACT: PRESIDENT OBAMA HAS KEPT AMERICA SAFE AND DECIMATED AL QAEDA
Upon Taking Office, President Obama Announced A Strategy To Refocus U.S. Efforts In Afghanistan And Pakistan And “Disrupt, Dismantle And Defeat Al Qaeda.” “As President, my greatest responsibility is to protect the American people…So I want the American people to understand that we have a clear and focused goal: to disrupt, dismantle and defeat al Qaeda in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and to prevent their return to either country in the future…And to the terrorists who oppose us, my message is the same: We will defeat you.” [President Obama, 03/27/09]
More Key Al Qaeda Leaders Have Been Eliminated In The Past Two And A Half Years Than At Any Time Since September 11, 2001, Including Osama Bin Laden. [President Obama, 06/28/11]
President Obama Declared An End To Combat Operations In Iraq. [BBC News, 09/01/10]
President Obama Has Withdrawn More Than 100,000 Troops From Iraq Since Taking Office, [Brookings Institute, 09/30/11]
Secretary Gates Said The US Military Cannot Afford To “Perpetuate The Status Quo” And Has To Adapt To Face New Challenges. “Our Navy has to be designed for new challenges, new technologies, and new missions – because another one of history’s hard lessons is that, when it comes to military capabilities, those who fail to adapt often fail to survive.” [Secretary Gates, 05/03/10]
FACT: PRESIDENT OBAMA HAS STOOD UP FOR AMERICA AND IMPROVED AMERICA’S STANDING IN THE WORLD
America’s Image Abroad Has Improved Significantly Since President Obama Came Into Office. [Pew Global Attitudes Poll, 06/17/10]
USW International President Leo Gerard Said, “Today, President Obama Made Clear That He Will Enforce America’s Trade Laws And Stand With American Workers.” “For far too long, workers across this country have been victimized by bad trade policies and government inaction. Today, President Obama made clear that he will enforce America’s trade laws and stand with American workers,” USW International President Leo W. Gerard said.” [USW International Press Release, 9/11/09]
When Asked About the Obama Administration, Defense Minister Barak Said He “Can Hardly Remember A Period Of Better Support.” “Our countries are good friends. And I'm the minister of defense, I can tell you that I can hardly remember ... a better period of support, American support and cooperation and similar strategic understanding of events around us than what we have right now.” [Fox News, 08/03/11]
The Washington Post Refuted Mitt Romney’s False Claims That President Obama Went On An Apology Tour. “Republicans may certainly disagree with Obama's handling of foreign policy or particular policies he has pursued, but they should not invent a storyline that does not appear to exist. Note to GOP speechwriters and campaign ad makers: The apology tour never happened.” [Washington Post, 02/22/11]
Romney Claim: “The force level necessary to secure our gains and complete our mission successfully is a decision I will make free from politics.”
FACT: ROMNEY HAS TAKEN MULTIPLE POSITIONS ON AFGHANISTAN
FLIP: Romney: “It Is My Desire And My Political Party’s Desire To Support The People Of Afghanistan And Not To Leave.” “Although the media have not been invited to his events, a glimpse into Romney’s thinking was provided by an individual who attended the meeting between Romney and the young Afghans and who allowed a reporter to view a video of the event. At one point, Romney said he supports a longer-term US presence in Afghanistan and asked Afghans for their own suggestions about how the United States can help overcome the raging insurgency and endemic corruption here. President Obama’s administration has said it plans to begin reducing the number of US troops in July with the goal of handing over security to the Afghans by the end of 2014. ‘It is my desire and my political party’s desire to support the people of Afghanistan and not to leave,’ Romney said in response to a question about whether the United States was going to pull out of the country soon. ‘So we look to you to tell us the best ways that we can support you.’” [Boston Globe, 1/14/11]
· FLOP: Romney’s Went Middle Of The Road On President Obama’s Announcement Of Troop Reductions In Afghanistan Saying “We All Want Out Troops To Come Home As Soon As Possible.” “Some of the leading Republican presidential candidates offered dramatically different reactions to President Obama’s announcement of troop reductions in Afghanistan, a reflection of the schism in the Republican Party over the future of the war… Mitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, is somewhere in the middle. In a statement, Mr. Romney said that ‘we all want our troops to come home as soon as possible,’ but he stopped short of praising Mr. Obama’s speech.” [New York Times, 6/23/11]
FLIP: Romney Criticized President Obama’s Announcement Of A Troop Withdrawal Timeline In Afghanistan Saying “The Taliban May Not Have Watches, But They Do Have Calendars.” “Romney praised the decision to send additional troops to Afghanistan, but criticized President Obama’s announcement of when troops will withdraw. ‘The Taliban may not have watches, but they do have calendars,’ Romney said.” [Boston Globe, 6/3/11]
· FLOP: Romney: “The Generals Actually Concur With The Idea That We Should Bring Down The Surge Troops And Ultimately By 2014, Take Our Footprint - Our Large Combat Footprint Out Of Afghanistan, That’s Something With Which I Concur.” On Moring Joe, Mitt Romney said: “The generals actually concur with the idea that we should bring down the surge troops, and ultimately by 2014, take our footprint -- our large combat footprint out of Afghanistan, that's something with which I concur.” [Morning Joe, MSNBC, 9/28/11]
Romney Said Of Afghanistan: “I Also Think We’ve Learned That Our Troops Shouldn’t Go Off And Try To Fight A War Of Independence For Another Nation.” At the New Hampshire Republican primary debate Romney said of Afghanistan: “I also think we've learned that our troops shouldn't go off and try and fight a war of independence for another nation. Only the Afghanis can win Afghanistan's independence from the Taliban.” [New Hampshire Debate, 6/13/11]
Byron York: Romney Seemed “Off Balance” When Asked What Strategy He Would Employ In Afghanistan Saying “I’m Not In That Position.” “Then there’s Afghanistan. ‘I’m a little surprised that, having made Afghanistan the center of his anti-terrorist strategy, he says he doesn’t have a strategy at this stage for what to do in Afghanistan,’ Romney says of the president. ‘I would have expected him to have accomplished that by this point.’ As Romney sees it, Obama has a choice. He can go along with Gen. Stanley McChrystal’s expected request for more troops, or he can betray his own campaign promise of a firm U.S. stand in Afghanistan. ‘I think his only choice, and the correct choice, is the former,’ Romney says. But it might not be that simple. When I ask Romney, ‘What would you have done?’ he seems slightly off-balance. ‘I’m not in that position,’ Romney says. He pauses a moment. ‘When you say, what would I have done, I, I – ‘ ‘Do you think we needed a new strategy in Afghanistan?’ I ask. ‘I’m going to Afghanistan and Iraq in a couple of months,’ Romney says. ‘I’ll get an assessment of what’s happening there and what the prospects are. But I certainly would support our troops with the additional troops which are being called for by General McChrystal, and provide the equipment and the manpower and the budgetary support which our troops deserve.’” [Byron York, Washington Examiner, 9/27/09]
· HEADLINE: Romney critical of Obama’s Afghan policy—but hesitant himself [Byron York, Washington Examiner, 9/27/09]
Romney Claim: “I will order the formulation of a national cybersecurity strategy, to deter and defend against the growing threats of militarized cyber-attacks, cyber-terrorism, and cyber-espionage.”
FACT: PRESIDENT OBAMA CREATED THE FIRST MILITARY COMMAND DEDICATED TO CYBER SECURITY
In 2009, The Obama Administration Created The First Military Command Dedicated To Cyber Security, Reflecting President Obama’s Commitment To Elevating Computer Security As A National Security Issue. “Defense Secretary Robert Gates created a new military command dedicated to cyber security on Tuesday, reflecting the Obama administration's plans to centralize and elevate computer security as a major national-security issue… The decision follows President Barack Obama's announcement last month that he will establish a new cyber-security office at the White House, whose chief will coordinate all government efforts to protect computer networks.” [WSJ, 06/24/09]
Romney Claim: President Obama has weakened America.
FACT: PRESIDENT OBAMA HAS KEPT AMERICA SAFE AND DECIMATED AL QAEDA
Upon Taking Office, President Obama Announced A Strategy To Refocus U.S. Efforts In Afghanistan And Pakistan And “Disrupt, Dismantle And Defeat Al Qaeda.” “As President, my greatest responsibility is to protect the American people…So I want the American people to understand that we have a clear and focused goal: to disrupt, dismantle and defeat al Qaeda in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and to prevent their return to either country in the future…And to the terrorists who oppose us, my message is the same: We will defeat you.” [President Obama, 03/27/09]
More Key Al Qaeda Leaders Have Been Eliminated In The Past Two And A Half Years Than At Any Time Since September 11, 2001, Including Osama Bin Laden. [President Obama, 06/28/11]
President Obama Declared An End To Combat Operations In Iraq. [BBC News, 09/01/10]
President Obama Has Withdrawn More Than 100,000 Troops From Iraq Since Taking Office, [Brookings Institute, 09/30/11]
Secretary Gates Said The US Military Cannot Afford To “Perpetuate The Status Quo” And Has To Adapt To Face New Challenges. “Our Navy has to be designed for new challenges, new technologies, and new missions – because another one of history’s hard lessons is that, when it comes to military capabilities, those who fail to adapt often fail to survive.” [Secretary Gates, 05/03/10]
FACT: PRESIDENT OBAMA HAS STOOD UP FOR AMERICA AND IMPROVED AMERICA’S STANDING IN THE WORLD
America’s Image Abroad Has Improved Significantly Since President Obama Came Into Office. [Pew Global Attitudes Poll, 06/17/10]
USW International President Leo Gerard Said, “Today, President Obama Made Clear That He Will Enforce America’s Trade Laws And Stand With American Workers.” “For far too long, workers across this country have been victimized by bad trade policies and government inaction. Today, President Obama made clear that he will enforce America’s trade laws and stand with American workers,” USW International President Leo W. Gerard said.” [USW International Press Release, 9/11/09]
When Asked About the Obama Administration, Defense Minister Barak Said He “Can Hardly Remember A Period Of Better Support.” “Our countries are good friends. And I'm the minister of defense, I can tell you that I can hardly remember ... a better period of support, American support and cooperation and similar strategic understanding of events around us than what we have right now.” [Fox News, 08/03/11]
The Washington Post Refuted Mitt Romney’s False Claims That President Obama Went On An Apology Tour. “Republicans may certainly disagree with Obama's handling of foreign policy or particular policies he has pursued, but they should not invent a storyline that does not appear to exist. Note to GOP speechwriters and campaign ad makers: The apology tour never happened.” [Washington Post, 02/22/11]
Romney Claim: “The force level necessary to secure our gains and complete our mission successfully is a decision I will make free from politics.”
FACT: ROMNEY HAS TAKEN MULTIPLE POSITIONS ON AFGHANISTAN
FLIP: Romney: “It Is My Desire And My Political Party’s Desire To Support The People Of Afghanistan And Not To Leave.” “Although the media have not been invited to his events, a glimpse into Romney’s thinking was provided by an individual who attended the meeting between Romney and the young Afghans and who allowed a reporter to view a video of the event. At one point, Romney said he supports a longer-term US presence in Afghanistan and asked Afghans for their own suggestions about how the United States can help overcome the raging insurgency and endemic corruption here. President Obama’s administration has said it plans to begin reducing the number of US troops in July with the goal of handing over security to the Afghans by the end of 2014. ‘It is my desire and my political party’s desire to support the people of Afghanistan and not to leave,’ Romney said in response to a question about whether the United States was going to pull out of the country soon. ‘So we look to you to tell us the best ways that we can support you.’” [Boston Globe, 1/14/11]
· FLOP: Romney’s Went Middle Of The Road On President Obama’s Announcement Of Troop Reductions In Afghanistan Saying “We All Want Out Troops To Come Home As Soon As Possible.” “Some of the leading Republican presidential candidates offered dramatically different reactions to President Obama’s announcement of troop reductions in Afghanistan, a reflection of the schism in the Republican Party over the future of the war… Mitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, is somewhere in the middle. In a statement, Mr. Romney said that ‘we all want our troops to come home as soon as possible,’ but he stopped short of praising Mr. Obama’s speech.” [New York Times, 6/23/11]
FLIP: Romney Criticized President Obama’s Announcement Of A Troop Withdrawal Timeline In Afghanistan Saying “The Taliban May Not Have Watches, But They Do Have Calendars.” “Romney praised the decision to send additional troops to Afghanistan, but criticized President Obama’s announcement of when troops will withdraw. ‘The Taliban may not have watches, but they do have calendars,’ Romney said.” [Boston Globe, 6/3/11]
· FLOP: Romney: “The Generals Actually Concur With The Idea That We Should Bring Down The Surge Troops And Ultimately By 2014, Take Our Footprint - Our Large Combat Footprint Out Of Afghanistan, That’s Something With Which I Concur.” On Moring Joe, Mitt Romney said: “The generals actually concur with the idea that we should bring down the surge troops, and ultimately by 2014, take our footprint -- our large combat footprint out of Afghanistan, that's something with which I concur.” [Morning Joe, MSNBC, 9/28/11]
Romney Said Of Afghanistan: “I Also Think We’ve Learned That Our Troops Shouldn’t Go Off And Try To Fight A War Of Independence For Another Nation.” At the New Hampshire Republican primary debate Romney said of Afghanistan: “I also think we've learned that our troops shouldn't go off and try and fight a war of independence for another nation. Only the Afghanis can win Afghanistan's independence from the Taliban.” [New Hampshire Debate, 6/13/11]
Byron York: Romney Seemed “Off Balance” When Asked What Strategy He Would Employ In Afghanistan Saying “I’m Not In That Position.” “Then there’s Afghanistan. ‘I’m a little surprised that, having made Afghanistan the center of his anti-terrorist strategy, he says he doesn’t have a strategy at this stage for what to do in Afghanistan,’ Romney says of the president. ‘I would have expected him to have accomplished that by this point.’ As Romney sees it, Obama has a choice. He can go along with Gen. Stanley McChrystal’s expected request for more troops, or he can betray his own campaign promise of a firm U.S. stand in Afghanistan. ‘I think his only choice, and the correct choice, is the former,’ Romney says. But it might not be that simple. When I ask Romney, ‘What would you have done?’ he seems slightly off-balance. ‘I’m not in that position,’ Romney says. He pauses a moment. ‘When you say, what would I have done, I, I – ‘ ‘Do you think we needed a new strategy in Afghanistan?’ I ask. ‘I’m going to Afghanistan and Iraq in a couple of months,’ Romney says. ‘I’ll get an assessment of what’s happening there and what the prospects are. But I certainly would support our troops with the additional troops which are being called for by General McChrystal, and provide the equipment and the manpower and the budgetary support which our troops deserve.’” [Byron York, Washington Examiner, 9/27/09]
· HEADLINE: Romney critical of Obama’s Afghan policy—but hesitant himself [Byron York, Washington Examiner, 9/27/09]
Romney Claim: “I will order the formulation of a national cybersecurity strategy, to deter and defend against the growing threats of militarized cyber-attacks, cyber-terrorism, and cyber-espionage.”
FACT: PRESIDENT OBAMA CREATED THE FIRST MILITARY COMMAND DEDICATED TO CYBER SECURITY
In 2009, The Obama Administration Created The First Military Command Dedicated To Cyber Security, Reflecting President Obama’s Commitment To Elevating Computer Security As A National Security Issue. “Defense Secretary Robert Gates created a new military command dedicated to cyber security on Tuesday, reflecting the Obama administration's plans to centralize and elevate computer security as a major national-security issue… The decision follows President Barack Obama's announcement last month that he will establish a new cyber-security office at the White House, whose chief will coordinate all government efforts to protect computer networks.” [WSJ, 06/24/09]
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Texas Governor Rick Perry fails to give clemency to an innocent man
How many days ago did we watch The Republican Debate where people cheered about Governor Perry's execution record? What was Question asked of Perry in connection with Killing and innocent man? What was his response?
I have posted a story that is 17 pages called Trial by Fire . I ask you to take time to read. A story of how a Texas Governor named Rick Perry had the opportunity to save an innocent man, by reading a Report from Mr Hurst an arson scientist. This report, which was in the file, exonerated the man who was found guilty based on another report, that used no scientific facts to it's conclusion, and now he is dead.
Perry was given the file and yet ignored the report and did not grant clemency. This story is one I am sure he would not want out, but we must re post and get the truth out, if for anything else for the father who was executed for a crime he did not commit. This story should be told over and over again. Rick Perry should never hold the high office of our country. Read Trial by Fire
I have posted a story that is 17 pages called Trial by Fire . I ask you to take time to read. A story of how a Texas Governor named Rick Perry had the opportunity to save an innocent man, by reading a Report from Mr Hurst an arson scientist. This report, which was in the file, exonerated the man who was found guilty based on another report, that used no scientific facts to it's conclusion, and now he is dead.
Perry was given the file and yet ignored the report and did not grant clemency. This story is one I am sure he would not want out, but we must re post and get the truth out, if for anything else for the father who was executed for a crime he did not commit. This story should be told over and over again. Rick Perry should never hold the high office of our country. Read Trial by Fire
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
THE AMERICAN JOBS ACT: IMPACT FOR Utah
Since I live in Utah I thought I would post this!
The American people understand that the economic crisis and the deep recession weren’t created overnight and won’t be solved overnight. The economic security of the middle class has been under attack for decades. That’s why President Obama believes we need to do more than just recover from this economic crisis – we need to rebuild the economy the American way, based on balance, fairness, and the same set of rules for everyone from Wall Street to Main Street. We can work together to create the jobs of the future by helping small business entrepreneurs, by investing in education, and by making things the world buys. The President understands that to restore an American economy that’s built to last we cannot afford to outsource American jobs and encourage reckless financial deals that put middle class security at risk.
To create jobs, the President unveiled the American Jobs Act – nearly all of which is made up of ideas that have been supported by both Democrats and Republicans, and that Congress should pass right away to get the economy moving now. The purpose of the American Jobs Act is simple: put more people back to work and put more money in the pockets of working Americans. And it would do so without adding a dime to the deficit. The American Jobs Act has five components:
1. Tax Cuts to Help America’s Small Businesses Hire and Grow
· The President’s plan will cut the payroll tax in half to 3.1% for employers on the first $5 million in wages, providing broad tax relief to all businesses but targeting it to the 98 percent of firms with wages below this level. In Utah, 60,000 firms will receive a payroll tax cut under the American Jobs Act.
2. Putting Workers Back on the Job While Rebuilding and Modernizing America
· The President’s plan includes $50 billion in immediate investments for highways, transit, rail and aviation, helping to modernize an infrastructure that now receives a grade of “D” from the American Society of Civil Engineers and putting hundreds of thousands of construction workers back on the job. Of the investments for highway and transit modernization projects, the President’s plan will make immediate investments of at least $313,700,000 in Utah that could support a minimum of approximately 4,100 local jobs.
· The President is proposing to invest $35 billion to prevent layoffs of up to 280,000 teachers, while supporting the hiring of tens of thousands more and keeping cops and firefighters on the job. These funds would help states and localities avoid and reverse layoffs now, and will provide $303,000,000 in funds to Utah to support up to 5,100 educator and first responder jobs.
· The President is proposing a $25 billion investment in school infrastructure that will modernize at least 35,000 public schools – investments that will create jobs, while improving classrooms and upgrading our schools to meet 21st century needs. Utah will receive $138,700,000 in funding to support as many as 1,800 jobs.
· The President is proposing to invest $15 billion in a national effort to put construction workers on the job rehabilitating and refurbishing hundreds of thousands of vacant and foreclosed homes and businesses. Utah could receive about $20,000,000 to revitalize and refurbish local communities, in addition to funds that would be available through a competitive application.
· The President’s plan proposes $5 billion of investments for facilities modernization needs at community colleges. Investment in modernizing community colleges fills a key resource gap, and ensures these local, bedrock education institutions have the facilities and equipment to address current workforce demands in today’s highly technical and growing fields. Utah could receive $37,100,000 in funding in the next fiscal year for its community colleges.
3. Pathways Back to Work for Americans Looking for Jobs.
· Drawing on the best ideas of both parties and the most innovative states, the President is proposing the most sweeping reforms to the unemployment insurance (UI) system in 40 years help those without jobs transition to the workplace. This could help put the 40,000 long-term unemployed workers in Utah back to work.
· Alongside these reforms, the President is reiterating his call to extend unemployment insurance, preventing 6,600 people looking for work in Utah from losing their benefits in just the first 6 weeks. And, across the country, the number saved from losing benefits would triple by the end of the year.
· The President is proposing a new Pathways Back to Work Fund to provide hundreds of thousands of low-income youth and adults with opportunities to work and to achieve needed training in growth industries. Pathways Back to Work could place 700 adults and 1,400 youths in jobs in Utah.
4. Tax Relief for Every American Worker and Family
· The President’s plan will expand the payroll tax cut passed last December by cutting workers payroll taxes in half next year. A typical household in Utah, with a median income of around $58,000, will receive a tax cut of around $1,800.
5. Fully Paid for as Part of the President’s Long-Term Deficit Reduction Plan.
· To ensure that the American Jobs Act is fully paid for, the President will call on the Joint Committee to come up with additional deficit reduction necessary to pay for the Act and still meet its deficit target. The President will, in the coming days, release a detailed plan that will show how we can do that while achieving the additional deficit reduction necessary to meet the President’s broader goal of stabilizing our debt as a share of the economy.
The American people understand that the economic crisis and the deep recession weren’t created overnight and won’t be solved overnight. The economic security of the middle class has been under attack for decades. That’s why President Obama believes we need to do more than just recover from this economic crisis – we need to rebuild the economy the American way, based on balance, fairness, and the same set of rules for everyone from Wall Street to Main Street. We can work together to create the jobs of the future by helping small business entrepreneurs, by investing in education, and by making things the world buys. The President understands that to restore an American economy that’s built to last we cannot afford to outsource American jobs and encourage reckless financial deals that put middle class security at risk.
To create jobs, the President unveiled the American Jobs Act – nearly all of which is made up of ideas that have been supported by both Democrats and Republicans, and that Congress should pass right away to get the economy moving now. The purpose of the American Jobs Act is simple: put more people back to work and put more money in the pockets of working Americans. And it would do so without adding a dime to the deficit. The American Jobs Act has five components:
1. Tax Cuts to Help America’s Small Businesses Hire and Grow
· The President’s plan will cut the payroll tax in half to 3.1% for employers on the first $5 million in wages, providing broad tax relief to all businesses but targeting it to the 98 percent of firms with wages below this level. In Utah, 60,000 firms will receive a payroll tax cut under the American Jobs Act.
2. Putting Workers Back on the Job While Rebuilding and Modernizing America
· The President’s plan includes $50 billion in immediate investments for highways, transit, rail and aviation, helping to modernize an infrastructure that now receives a grade of “D” from the American Society of Civil Engineers and putting hundreds of thousands of construction workers back on the job. Of the investments for highway and transit modernization projects, the President’s plan will make immediate investments of at least $313,700,000 in Utah that could support a minimum of approximately 4,100 local jobs.
· The President is proposing to invest $35 billion to prevent layoffs of up to 280,000 teachers, while supporting the hiring of tens of thousands more and keeping cops and firefighters on the job. These funds would help states and localities avoid and reverse layoffs now, and will provide $303,000,000 in funds to Utah to support up to 5,100 educator and first responder jobs.
· The President is proposing a $25 billion investment in school infrastructure that will modernize at least 35,000 public schools – investments that will create jobs, while improving classrooms and upgrading our schools to meet 21st century needs. Utah will receive $138,700,000 in funding to support as many as 1,800 jobs.
· The President is proposing to invest $15 billion in a national effort to put construction workers on the job rehabilitating and refurbishing hundreds of thousands of vacant and foreclosed homes and businesses. Utah could receive about $20,000,000 to revitalize and refurbish local communities, in addition to funds that would be available through a competitive application.
· The President’s plan proposes $5 billion of investments for facilities modernization needs at community colleges. Investment in modernizing community colleges fills a key resource gap, and ensures these local, bedrock education institutions have the facilities and equipment to address current workforce demands in today’s highly technical and growing fields. Utah could receive $37,100,000 in funding in the next fiscal year for its community colleges.
3. Pathways Back to Work for Americans Looking for Jobs.
· Drawing on the best ideas of both parties and the most innovative states, the President is proposing the most sweeping reforms to the unemployment insurance (UI) system in 40 years help those without jobs transition to the workplace. This could help put the 40,000 long-term unemployed workers in Utah back to work.
· Alongside these reforms, the President is reiterating his call to extend unemployment insurance, preventing 6,600 people looking for work in Utah from losing their benefits in just the first 6 weeks. And, across the country, the number saved from losing benefits would triple by the end of the year.
· The President is proposing a new Pathways Back to Work Fund to provide hundreds of thousands of low-income youth and adults with opportunities to work and to achieve needed training in growth industries. Pathways Back to Work could place 700 adults and 1,400 youths in jobs in Utah.
4. Tax Relief for Every American Worker and Family
· The President’s plan will expand the payroll tax cut passed last December by cutting workers payroll taxes in half next year. A typical household in Utah, with a median income of around $58,000, will receive a tax cut of around $1,800.
5. Fully Paid for as Part of the President’s Long-Term Deficit Reduction Plan.
· To ensure that the American Jobs Act is fully paid for, the President will call on the Joint Committee to come up with additional deficit reduction necessary to pay for the Act and still meet its deficit target. The President will, in the coming days, release a detailed plan that will show how we can do that while achieving the additional deficit reduction necessary to meet the President’s broader goal of stabilizing our debt as a share of the economy.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Don’t Take Our Word For It: Republicans on Republicans
Tonight’s CNN/Tea Party Express debate confirmed that the Republican candidates are more interested in saying what the ideological Tea Party wants to hear than doing what the American people are demanding: creating jobs and restoring the economic security of the middle-class. At center stage tonight - a fight over whether Social Security, a mainstay of middle class economic security, was a “fraud” or a “Ponzi scheme.” But don’t take it from us, read what they said about it and each other.
ROMNEY ON HIS FELLOW REPUBLICANS
Romney Said Using The Term “Ponzi Scheme…Was Over The Top And Unnecessary And Frightful To Many People.” Romney spoke about Perry’s views on Social Security. “No, what I'm saying is that what he just said, I think most people agree with, although the term Ponzi scheme I think is over the top and unnecessary and frightful to many people.” [Romney, CNN/Tea Party Express Debate, 9/12/11]
Romney Attacked Perry For “His View That Social Security In Unconstitutional” And For Calling It “A Failure, This Is After 70 Years Of Tens Of Millions Of People Relying On Social Security.” Romney attacked Perry’s views on Social Security. “But the real issue is in writing his book, Governor Perry pointed out that in his view that social security is unconstitutional, that this is not something the federal government ought to be involved in, that instead it should be given back to the states. And that view and the view that somehow social security has been forced on us over the past seven years. That by any measure, Social Security has been a failure, this is after 70 years of tens of millions of people relying on social security, that's a very different matter.” [Romney, CNN/Tea Party Express Debate, 9/12/11]
Romney Asked If Perry “Continue[s] To Believe That Social Security Should Not Be A Federal Program…Or Is He Going To Retreat From That View.” Romney spoke about Perry’s views on Social Security. “But the real question is does Governor Perry continue to believe that social security should not be a federal program, that it's unconstitutional and it should be returned to the states or is he going to retreat from that view?” [Romney, CNN/Tea Party Express Debate, 9/12/11]
Romney Asked If Perry Still “Believe[d] That Social Security Should Be Ended As A Federal Program As You Did Six Month Ago.” Romney spoke about Perry’s views on Social Security. “But the question is: do you still believe that social security should be ended as a federal program as you did six months ago when your book came out and returned to the states?” [Romney, CNN/Tea Party Express Debate, 9/12/11]
Romney Attacked Perry For Suggesting The Nation Have A Conversation On The Future Of Social Security: “We're Having That Right Now, Governor. We're Running For President.” [Romney, CNN/Tea Party Express Debate, 9/12/11]
Romney Said Perry’s Use Of The “Term Ponzi Scheme” And For “Suggesting That Social Security Should No Longer Be A Federal Program” Was “Frightening” To Seniors. Romney attacked Perry’s views on Social Security during the debate. “Governor, the term Ponzi scheme is what scared seniors, number one. And number two, suggesting that social security should no longer be a federal program and returned to the states is unconstitutional and is likewise frightening. There are a lot of bright people who actually agree with you. That's your view. I think that social security is a fundamental program.” [Romney, CNN/Tea Party Express Debate, 9/12/11]
Romney Said Perry Was Dealt “Four Aces” In Texas That Helped Lead To Texas Job Growth; “Zero Income Tax, Low Regulation, Right To Work State, Oil In The Ground And Republican Legislature.” Romney responded to a question if Perry deserved credit for Texas job growth. “Terrific state, no question about that. Some wonderful things that Texas has going for it that the nation could learn from. Zero income tax. That's a pretty good thing. Right to work state. Republican legislature, Republican state court. By the way, a lot of oil as well… Well, look, I think Governor Perry would agree with me that if you're dealt four aces that doesn't make you necessarily a great poker player. And four aces and the four aces that are terrific aces are the ones the nation should learn from, the ones I described, zero income tax, low regulation, right to work state, oil in the ground and republican legislature. Those things are terrific.” [Romney, CNN/Tea Party Express Debate, 9/12/11]
Romney Pointed To Job Growth In Texas Before Perry Entered Office And Suggested Perry Would Be A Good President If The Country Was “Like Texas Going Swimmingly.” Romney responded to a question if Perry deserved credit for Texas job growth. “There has been great growth in Texas. Under Ann Richardson growth was under 2% a year, George Bush 3% a year. Those are all good numbers. Texas is a great state. If you think that the country is like Texas going swimmingly well, then somebody who has done that is just terrific. But if the country needs a turnaround, that's what I do.” [Romney, CNN/Tea Party Express Debate, 9/12/11]
Romney Attacked Perry’s Immigration Statement And Policies: “Of Course We Build A Fence And Of Course We Do Not Give Instate Tuition Credits To People Who Come Here Illegally.” “With regards to immigration, of course we build a fence and of course we do not give instate tuition credits to people who come here illegally. That only attracts people to come here and take advantage of America’s great benefits. It’s a patina of legal credibility…This is the party that believes in supporting the law. We're going to enforce the law. We're the party of opportunity, we're also the party of legal law abiding citizens.” [Romney, CNN/Tea Party Express Debate, 9/12/11]
PERRY ON HIS FELLOW REPUBLICANS
Perry Accused Romney Of Trying To Scare Seniors Over Social Security. “The question is, are there ways to move the states into social security for state employees or for retirees? We did in the state of Texas back in the 1980s. I think those types of thoughtful conversations with America, rather than trying to scare seniors like you're doing and other people, it's time to have a legitimate conversation in this country about how to fix that program where it's not bankrupt and our children actually know that there's going to be a retirement program there for them.” [Perry, CNN/Tea Party Express Debate, 9/12/11]
Perry Said Romney Called Social Security Criminal In His Book. “You called it criminal -- you said if people did it in the private sector…that it would be called criminal. That's in your book.” [Perry, CNN/Tea Party Express Debate, 9/12/11]
Perry Said Romney’s Health Care Plan Was The Model For Obamacare, Doesn’t Think It Was Right For Massachusetts. “But the fact of the matter is that was the plan that President Obama has said himself was the model for Obamacare. I think any of us who know that that piece of legislation will draw a line between the doctor-patient relationship, that will cost untold billions of dollars is not right for this country and, frankly, I don't think it was right for Massachusetts when you look at what it's costing the people of Massachusetts today. But at the end of the day, that was their call. So from a just purely states get to decide what they want to do, I agree with that in the state of Texas, we don't think that's the way we want to go.” [Perry, CNN/Tea Party Express Debate, 9/12/11]
BACHMANN ON HER FELLOW REPUBLICANS
Bachmann: “To Have Innocent Little Twelve Year Old Girls Be Forced To Have A Government Injection Through An Executive Order Is Just Flat Out Wrong.” “I'm a mom of three children. To have innocent little 12-year-old girls be forced to have a government injection through an executive order is just flat out wrong. That should never be done. It's a violation of a liberty interest. That's -- little girls who have a negative reaction to this potentially dangerous drug don't get a mulligan. They don't get a do-over. The parents don't get a do-over. That's why I fought so hard in , against president Obama and Obama care. President Obama in a stunning, shocking level of power now just recently told all private insurance companies, you must offer the morning-after abortion pill because I said so and it must be free of charge. That same level coming through executive orders and through government dictates is wrong. That's why again we have to have someone who is absolutely committed to the repeal of Obama care and I am.” [Bachmann, CNN/Tea Party Express Debate, 9/12/11]
Bachmann Attacked Perry For Contributions From Merck And For Former Chief Of Staff Being A Merck Lobbyist At Time Of HPV Vaccine Decision. “I just wanted to add that we cannot forget that in the midst of this executive order there was a big drug company that made millions of dollars because of this mandate. We can't deny that…What I'm saying is that it's wrong for a drug company, because the governor's former chief of staff was the chief lobbyist for this drug company, the drug company gave thousands of dollars in political donations to the governor, and this is just flat-out wrong. The question is is it about life or was it about millions of dollars and potentially billions for a drug company?... I'm offended for all the little girls and the parents that didn't have a choice. That's what I'm offended for.” [Bachmann, CNN/Tea Party Express Debate, 9/12/11]
Bachmann Said Romney’s Support Of Massachusetts Health Care Mandate Proved He Was “Not Committed” To Repealing President Obama’s Health Care Reform. “This is why I'm running for the presidency of the united states because 2012 is it. This is the election that's going to decide if we have socialized medicine in this country or not. This is it. Why? I just have to say this. It's because president Obama embedded 105 billion 464 million dollars in Obama care in postdated checks to implement this bill. We are never going to get rid of it unless we have a president committed to getting rid of it. If you believe that states can have it and that it's constitutional, you're not committed. If you implement this in your state, you're not committed. I'm committed to repealing Obama care.” [Bachmann, CNN/Tea Party Express Debate, 9/12/11]
Bachmann Attacked Perry For HPV Vaccine Order: “This Is A Liberty Interest That Violates The Most Deepest Personal Part Of A Little Child.” When asked if Perry’s decision to mandate HPV vaccinations for young girls was against conservative principles, Bachmann said “Yes, of course, it violates liberty. When you have innocent little 12-year-old girls that are forced to have a government injection into their body. This is a liberty interest that violates the most deepest personal part of a little child. And it violates the parental rights. This was an executive order that mandated that every little 12-year-old girl had to have this vaccination, and then you'd have to opt out. Parents don’t necessarily have the backing, the information to know to opt out. This should be an opt in. This is an overreach for government. The governor admitted this was a big mistake. The problem, the little girl doesn't get a do over, once they have that vaccination in their body, once it causes its damage, that little girl doesn't have the chance to go back. You don't get a mulligan, you don't get a do over, you have to get it right the first time, I have a core sense of conviction […] issues and I never would have done that to 12-year-old girls. … Because it's not enough to say I'm sorry, I got it wrong. We have to have a president who understands from the get go with a core sense of conviction what policies will work for the United States and what won't.” [Bachmann, CNN/Tea Party Express Debate, 9/12/11]
HUNTSMAN ON HIS FELLOW REPUBLICANS
Huntsman Said Romney And Perry Are “Frightening The American People.” “You have Governor Romney who called it a fraud in his book. I don't know if that was written by Kurt Cobain or not. Then you have Governor Perry calling this a Ponzi scheme. All I know is we're frightening the American people who just want solutions. This party isn't going to win in 2012 unless we get our act together and fix the problem.” [Huntsman, CNN/Tea Party Express Debate, 9/12/11]
Huntsman Called Perry “Treasonous” For Saying The Borders Couldn’t Be Sealed. “Well, first of all, let me say for Rick to say that you can't secure the border I think is pretty much a treasonous comment. … Rick, we can secure the border, we can secure the border through means of fences, through technology, through the deployment of our National Guard troops, we can get it done.” [Huntsman, CNN/Tea Party Express Debate, 9/12/11]
Huntsman Criticized Romney For Taking Multiple Positions On Issues. “We can take all night talking about where Mitt's been on the issues.” [Huntsman, CNN/Tea Party Express Debate, 9/12/11]
PAUL ON HIS FELLOW REPUBLICANS
Paul Said That Perry Doubled Taxes And Tripled Debt In Texas. When Wolf Blitzer asked Rep. Ron Paul whether Governor Rick Perry deserved credit for increasing the number of jobs in Texas, Paul said, “Not quite. I'm a taxpayer there. My taxes have gone up. Our taxes have doubled since he took office. Our debt has gone up nearly triple. So no, and 170,000 of the jobs were government jobs. So I would put a little damper on this, but I don't want to offend the governor because he might raise my taxes or something.” [Paul, CNN/Tea Party Express Debate, 9/12/11]
Paul Criticized Perry For Using An Executive Order To Mandate That Teenage Girls Be Inoculated For HPV. “I think we need to hear what governor Perry’s saying. He's saying that his policy was right. He believes that what he did was right. He thinks he’s went about it the wrong way. I believe your policy is wrong. Why? Ladies and gentlemen, why do we inoculate people with vaccines in public schools? Because we're afraid of those diseases being communicable between people at school. And therefore, to protect the rest of the people at school, we have vaccinations to protect those children. Unless Texas has a very progressive way of communicating diseases in their school by way of their curriculum, then there is no government purpose served for having little girls inoculated at the force and compulsion of the government. This is big government run amok. It is bad policy, and it should not have been done.” [Paul, CNN/Tea Party Express Debate, 9/12/11]
SANTORUM ON HIS FELLOW REPUBLICANS
Santorum Criticized Perry For Requiring Girls To Be Inoculated Against The Sexually Transmitted Disease, HPV. “Then give the parents the opt-in. Teach them, let them opt in, but do not force them to have this inoculation.” [Santorum, CNN/Tea Party Express Debate, 9/12/11]
Santorum Criticized Perry For Opposing The Border Fence. “Unlike Governor Perry, I believe we need to build more fence, we need to secure the border using technology and more personnel.” [Santorum, CNN/Tea Party Express Debate, 9/12/11]
Santorum Said That Perry Provided In-State Tuition Rates To Illegal Immigrants To Court The Latino Vote. “What Governor Perry’s done is provided instate tuition for illegal immigrants. Maybe that was an attempt to attract the illegal -- the Latino voters.” [Santorum, CNN/Tea Party Express Debate, 9/12/11]
Santorum Called Paul “Irresponsible” For Saying It Was “Our Actions That Brought About The Actions Of 9/11.” “On your website on 9/11 you had a blog post that basically blamed the United States for 9/11, on your website, yesterday. You said that it was our actions that brought about the actions of 9/11. Now, Congressman Paul, that is irresponsible. The president of the United States -- someone who is running for the president of the United States and the Republican Party should not be parroting what Osama bin Laden said on 9/11.” [Santorum, CNN/Tea Party Express Debate, 9/12/11]
ROMNEY ON HIS FELLOW REPUBLICANS
Romney Said Using The Term “Ponzi Scheme…Was Over The Top And Unnecessary And Frightful To Many People.” Romney spoke about Perry’s views on Social Security. “No, what I'm saying is that what he just said, I think most people agree with, although the term Ponzi scheme I think is over the top and unnecessary and frightful to many people.” [Romney, CNN/Tea Party Express Debate, 9/12/11]
Romney Attacked Perry For “His View That Social Security In Unconstitutional” And For Calling It “A Failure, This Is After 70 Years Of Tens Of Millions Of People Relying On Social Security.” Romney attacked Perry’s views on Social Security. “But the real issue is in writing his book, Governor Perry pointed out that in his view that social security is unconstitutional, that this is not something the federal government ought to be involved in, that instead it should be given back to the states. And that view and the view that somehow social security has been forced on us over the past seven years. That by any measure, Social Security has been a failure, this is after 70 years of tens of millions of people relying on social security, that's a very different matter.” [Romney, CNN/Tea Party Express Debate, 9/12/11]
Romney Asked If Perry “Continue[s] To Believe That Social Security Should Not Be A Federal Program…Or Is He Going To Retreat From That View.” Romney spoke about Perry’s views on Social Security. “But the real question is does Governor Perry continue to believe that social security should not be a federal program, that it's unconstitutional and it should be returned to the states or is he going to retreat from that view?” [Romney, CNN/Tea Party Express Debate, 9/12/11]
Romney Asked If Perry Still “Believe[d] That Social Security Should Be Ended As A Federal Program As You Did Six Month Ago.” Romney spoke about Perry’s views on Social Security. “But the question is: do you still believe that social security should be ended as a federal program as you did six months ago when your book came out and returned to the states?” [Romney, CNN/Tea Party Express Debate, 9/12/11]
Romney Attacked Perry For Suggesting The Nation Have A Conversation On The Future Of Social Security: “We're Having That Right Now, Governor. We're Running For President.” [Romney, CNN/Tea Party Express Debate, 9/12/11]
Romney Said Perry’s Use Of The “Term Ponzi Scheme” And For “Suggesting That Social Security Should No Longer Be A Federal Program” Was “Frightening” To Seniors. Romney attacked Perry’s views on Social Security during the debate. “Governor, the term Ponzi scheme is what scared seniors, number one. And number two, suggesting that social security should no longer be a federal program and returned to the states is unconstitutional and is likewise frightening. There are a lot of bright people who actually agree with you. That's your view. I think that social security is a fundamental program.” [Romney, CNN/Tea Party Express Debate, 9/12/11]
Romney Said Perry Was Dealt “Four Aces” In Texas That Helped Lead To Texas Job Growth; “Zero Income Tax, Low Regulation, Right To Work State, Oil In The Ground And Republican Legislature.” Romney responded to a question if Perry deserved credit for Texas job growth. “Terrific state, no question about that. Some wonderful things that Texas has going for it that the nation could learn from. Zero income tax. That's a pretty good thing. Right to work state. Republican legislature, Republican state court. By the way, a lot of oil as well… Well, look, I think Governor Perry would agree with me that if you're dealt four aces that doesn't make you necessarily a great poker player. And four aces and the four aces that are terrific aces are the ones the nation should learn from, the ones I described, zero income tax, low regulation, right to work state, oil in the ground and republican legislature. Those things are terrific.” [Romney, CNN/Tea Party Express Debate, 9/12/11]
Romney Pointed To Job Growth In Texas Before Perry Entered Office And Suggested Perry Would Be A Good President If The Country Was “Like Texas Going Swimmingly.” Romney responded to a question if Perry deserved credit for Texas job growth. “There has been great growth in Texas. Under Ann Richardson growth was under 2% a year, George Bush 3% a year. Those are all good numbers. Texas is a great state. If you think that the country is like Texas going swimmingly well, then somebody who has done that is just terrific. But if the country needs a turnaround, that's what I do.” [Romney, CNN/Tea Party Express Debate, 9/12/11]
Romney Attacked Perry’s Immigration Statement And Policies: “Of Course We Build A Fence And Of Course We Do Not Give Instate Tuition Credits To People Who Come Here Illegally.” “With regards to immigration, of course we build a fence and of course we do not give instate tuition credits to people who come here illegally. That only attracts people to come here and take advantage of America’s great benefits. It’s a patina of legal credibility…This is the party that believes in supporting the law. We're going to enforce the law. We're the party of opportunity, we're also the party of legal law abiding citizens.” [Romney, CNN/Tea Party Express Debate, 9/12/11]
PERRY ON HIS FELLOW REPUBLICANS
Perry Accused Romney Of Trying To Scare Seniors Over Social Security. “The question is, are there ways to move the states into social security for state employees or for retirees? We did in the state of Texas back in the 1980s. I think those types of thoughtful conversations with America, rather than trying to scare seniors like you're doing and other people, it's time to have a legitimate conversation in this country about how to fix that program where it's not bankrupt and our children actually know that there's going to be a retirement program there for them.” [Perry, CNN/Tea Party Express Debate, 9/12/11]
Perry Said Romney Called Social Security Criminal In His Book. “You called it criminal -- you said if people did it in the private sector…that it would be called criminal. That's in your book.” [Perry, CNN/Tea Party Express Debate, 9/12/11]
Perry Said Romney’s Health Care Plan Was The Model For Obamacare, Doesn’t Think It Was Right For Massachusetts. “But the fact of the matter is that was the plan that President Obama has said himself was the model for Obamacare. I think any of us who know that that piece of legislation will draw a line between the doctor-patient relationship, that will cost untold billions of dollars is not right for this country and, frankly, I don't think it was right for Massachusetts when you look at what it's costing the people of Massachusetts today. But at the end of the day, that was their call. So from a just purely states get to decide what they want to do, I agree with that in the state of Texas, we don't think that's the way we want to go.” [Perry, CNN/Tea Party Express Debate, 9/12/11]
BACHMANN ON HER FELLOW REPUBLICANS
Bachmann: “To Have Innocent Little Twelve Year Old Girls Be Forced To Have A Government Injection Through An Executive Order Is Just Flat Out Wrong.” “I'm a mom of three children. To have innocent little 12-year-old girls be forced to have a government injection through an executive order is just flat out wrong. That should never be done. It's a violation of a liberty interest. That's -- little girls who have a negative reaction to this potentially dangerous drug don't get a mulligan. They don't get a do-over. The parents don't get a do-over. That's why I fought so hard in , against president Obama and Obama care. President Obama in a stunning, shocking level of power now just recently told all private insurance companies, you must offer the morning-after abortion pill because I said so and it must be free of charge. That same level coming through executive orders and through government dictates is wrong. That's why again we have to have someone who is absolutely committed to the repeal of Obama care and I am.” [Bachmann, CNN/Tea Party Express Debate, 9/12/11]
Bachmann Attacked Perry For Contributions From Merck And For Former Chief Of Staff Being A Merck Lobbyist At Time Of HPV Vaccine Decision. “I just wanted to add that we cannot forget that in the midst of this executive order there was a big drug company that made millions of dollars because of this mandate. We can't deny that…What I'm saying is that it's wrong for a drug company, because the governor's former chief of staff was the chief lobbyist for this drug company, the drug company gave thousands of dollars in political donations to the governor, and this is just flat-out wrong. The question is is it about life or was it about millions of dollars and potentially billions for a drug company?... I'm offended for all the little girls and the parents that didn't have a choice. That's what I'm offended for.” [Bachmann, CNN/Tea Party Express Debate, 9/12/11]
Bachmann Said Romney’s Support Of Massachusetts Health Care Mandate Proved He Was “Not Committed” To Repealing President Obama’s Health Care Reform. “This is why I'm running for the presidency of the united states because 2012 is it. This is the election that's going to decide if we have socialized medicine in this country or not. This is it. Why? I just have to say this. It's because president Obama embedded 105 billion 464 million dollars in Obama care in postdated checks to implement this bill. We are never going to get rid of it unless we have a president committed to getting rid of it. If you believe that states can have it and that it's constitutional, you're not committed. If you implement this in your state, you're not committed. I'm committed to repealing Obama care.” [Bachmann, CNN/Tea Party Express Debate, 9/12/11]
Bachmann Attacked Perry For HPV Vaccine Order: “This Is A Liberty Interest That Violates The Most Deepest Personal Part Of A Little Child.” When asked if Perry’s decision to mandate HPV vaccinations for young girls was against conservative principles, Bachmann said “Yes, of course, it violates liberty. When you have innocent little 12-year-old girls that are forced to have a government injection into their body. This is a liberty interest that violates the most deepest personal part of a little child. And it violates the parental rights. This was an executive order that mandated that every little 12-year-old girl had to have this vaccination, and then you'd have to opt out. Parents don’t necessarily have the backing, the information to know to opt out. This should be an opt in. This is an overreach for government. The governor admitted this was a big mistake. The problem, the little girl doesn't get a do over, once they have that vaccination in their body, once it causes its damage, that little girl doesn't have the chance to go back. You don't get a mulligan, you don't get a do over, you have to get it right the first time, I have a core sense of conviction […] issues and I never would have done that to 12-year-old girls. … Because it's not enough to say I'm sorry, I got it wrong. We have to have a president who understands from the get go with a core sense of conviction what policies will work for the United States and what won't.” [Bachmann, CNN/Tea Party Express Debate, 9/12/11]
HUNTSMAN ON HIS FELLOW REPUBLICANS
Huntsman Said Romney And Perry Are “Frightening The American People.” “You have Governor Romney who called it a fraud in his book. I don't know if that was written by Kurt Cobain or not. Then you have Governor Perry calling this a Ponzi scheme. All I know is we're frightening the American people who just want solutions. This party isn't going to win in 2012 unless we get our act together and fix the problem.” [Huntsman, CNN/Tea Party Express Debate, 9/12/11]
Huntsman Called Perry “Treasonous” For Saying The Borders Couldn’t Be Sealed. “Well, first of all, let me say for Rick to say that you can't secure the border I think is pretty much a treasonous comment. … Rick, we can secure the border, we can secure the border through means of fences, through technology, through the deployment of our National Guard troops, we can get it done.” [Huntsman, CNN/Tea Party Express Debate, 9/12/11]
Huntsman Criticized Romney For Taking Multiple Positions On Issues. “We can take all night talking about where Mitt's been on the issues.” [Huntsman, CNN/Tea Party Express Debate, 9/12/11]
PAUL ON HIS FELLOW REPUBLICANS
Paul Said That Perry Doubled Taxes And Tripled Debt In Texas. When Wolf Blitzer asked Rep. Ron Paul whether Governor Rick Perry deserved credit for increasing the number of jobs in Texas, Paul said, “Not quite. I'm a taxpayer there. My taxes have gone up. Our taxes have doubled since he took office. Our debt has gone up nearly triple. So no, and 170,000 of the jobs were government jobs. So I would put a little damper on this, but I don't want to offend the governor because he might raise my taxes or something.” [Paul, CNN/Tea Party Express Debate, 9/12/11]
Paul Criticized Perry For Using An Executive Order To Mandate That Teenage Girls Be Inoculated For HPV. “I think we need to hear what governor Perry’s saying. He's saying that his policy was right. He believes that what he did was right. He thinks he’s went about it the wrong way. I believe your policy is wrong. Why? Ladies and gentlemen, why do we inoculate people with vaccines in public schools? Because we're afraid of those diseases being communicable between people at school. And therefore, to protect the rest of the people at school, we have vaccinations to protect those children. Unless Texas has a very progressive way of communicating diseases in their school by way of their curriculum, then there is no government purpose served for having little girls inoculated at the force and compulsion of the government. This is big government run amok. It is bad policy, and it should not have been done.” [Paul, CNN/Tea Party Express Debate, 9/12/11]
SANTORUM ON HIS FELLOW REPUBLICANS
Santorum Criticized Perry For Requiring Girls To Be Inoculated Against The Sexually Transmitted Disease, HPV. “Then give the parents the opt-in. Teach them, let them opt in, but do not force them to have this inoculation.” [Santorum, CNN/Tea Party Express Debate, 9/12/11]
Santorum Criticized Perry For Opposing The Border Fence. “Unlike Governor Perry, I believe we need to build more fence, we need to secure the border using technology and more personnel.” [Santorum, CNN/Tea Party Express Debate, 9/12/11]
Santorum Said That Perry Provided In-State Tuition Rates To Illegal Immigrants To Court The Latino Vote. “What Governor Perry’s done is provided instate tuition for illegal immigrants. Maybe that was an attempt to attract the illegal -- the Latino voters.” [Santorum, CNN/Tea Party Express Debate, 9/12/11]
Santorum Called Paul “Irresponsible” For Saying It Was “Our Actions That Brought About The Actions Of 9/11.” “On your website on 9/11 you had a blog post that basically blamed the United States for 9/11, on your website, yesterday. You said that it was our actions that brought about the actions of 9/11. Now, Congressman Paul, that is irresponsible. The president of the United States -- someone who is running for the president of the United States and the Republican Party should not be parroting what Osama bin Laden said on 9/11.” [Santorum, CNN/Tea Party Express Debate, 9/12/11]
Monday, September 12, 2011
" Support American Jobs Act " Sign "I'M IN "!
click here AMERICAN JOBS ACT sign Im' IN and show your support!
I Just got off a conference call with the President of the United States, of coarse I was not alone, there were tens of thousands of leaders on with me. Obama talked about the American Jobs Act, and what it means to all of us. How important it is for us to amplify our desires to create jobs NOW. Republicans want to go backwards and revert to the old policies that did not work.
Obama claimed a good idea is good no matter where it comes from. I agree! He sent the bill to congress today! He spoke about how this bill keeps true to our values
1.It honors our Vets by giving businesses more incentives to hire our vets. He said everyone who has served our country in the military should not have to grovel for a job when they come home.
2.It does not add to our deficit(Repeat if necessary)
3.Judge on Merits
4. Fair(fair share and fair shake) hard work is rewarded!
This bill has real solutions , Like Lowering taxes on the middle class that puts more money in their pocket allowing them to spend out in the market. It invest in small business, It invest in our kids. Teachers, Firefighters, and nurses will not have to suffer layoffs , which will happen if nothing is done or if we go back to old policies. Senator Orrin Hatch of Utah made a comment at his "revenue and spending" speech at UVU, that Obama did not have a clear vision for growing jobs, and the only Jobs Obama wanted to create was union jobs on roads and infrastructure, but let me remind Orrin Hatch of the devastation of Katrina, and the failure to invest in infrastructure! Also he forgets that investing in this puts lots of people to work not just Union. Engineers, drafters, etc. Hatch seems to be more concerned with getting a Republican elected as President and helping the wealthy businesses destroy the Union then he really is in our Jobs creation and helping the American people gain employment NOW! This bill needs to be past and Obama needs our help! Here is a link American Jobs Act to help you and everyone understand it, and as the day's go by more will be added to the site, we are one of the first to get it, and they will also be putting up how it will help each state. Please do your part and get this website out every where. Get informed and help inform others. This link is on True blue party-INFO HIIGHWAY. Get the Facts Get the facts, I see a vision and a clear cut idea for jobs. Call your congressman and tell them to support the bill!!!!
I Just got off a conference call with the President of the United States, of coarse I was not alone, there were tens of thousands of leaders on with me. Obama talked about the American Jobs Act, and what it means to all of us. How important it is for us to amplify our desires to create jobs NOW. Republicans want to go backwards and revert to the old policies that did not work.
Obama claimed a good idea is good no matter where it comes from. I agree! He sent the bill to congress today! He spoke about how this bill keeps true to our values
1.It honors our Vets by giving businesses more incentives to hire our vets. He said everyone who has served our country in the military should not have to grovel for a job when they come home.
2.It does not add to our deficit(Repeat if necessary)
3.Judge on Merits
4. Fair(fair share and fair shake) hard work is rewarded!
This bill has real solutions , Like Lowering taxes on the middle class that puts more money in their pocket allowing them to spend out in the market. It invest in small business, It invest in our kids. Teachers, Firefighters, and nurses will not have to suffer layoffs , which will happen if nothing is done or if we go back to old policies. Senator Orrin Hatch of Utah made a comment at his "revenue and spending" speech at UVU, that Obama did not have a clear vision for growing jobs, and the only Jobs Obama wanted to create was union jobs on roads and infrastructure, but let me remind Orrin Hatch of the devastation of Katrina, and the failure to invest in infrastructure! Also he forgets that investing in this puts lots of people to work not just Union. Engineers, drafters, etc. Hatch seems to be more concerned with getting a Republican elected as President and helping the wealthy businesses destroy the Union then he really is in our Jobs creation and helping the American people gain employment NOW! This bill needs to be past and Obama needs our help! Here is a link American Jobs Act to help you and everyone understand it, and as the day's go by more will be added to the site, we are one of the first to get it, and they will also be putting up how it will help each state. Please do your part and get this website out every where. Get informed and help inform others. This link is on True blue party-INFO HIIGHWAY. Get the Facts Get the facts, I see a vision and a clear cut idea for jobs. Call your congressman and tell them to support the bill!!!!
Economists show support for Obama job-growth plan
Economists show support for Obama job-growth plan
By PAUL WISEMAN and DEREK KRAVITZ
AP Economics Writers
Friday, September 9, 2011
WASHINGTON — A tentative thumbs-up.
That was the assessment Thursday night from economists, who offered mainly positive reviews of President Barack Obama’s $447 billion plan to stimulate job creation.
Some predicted it would put hundreds of thousands of people back to work next year, mainly because a Social Security tax cut for workers would be deepened and extended to small businesses.
“Payroll tax cuts are very powerful,” said Allen Sinai, chief economist of Decision Economics. “They provide a boost to direct income and, in turn, spending, which is important to growth.”
Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics, estimated that the president’s plan would boost economic growth by 2 percentage points, add 2 million jobs and reduce unemployment by a full percentage point next year compared with existing law.
The heart of Obama’s plan is an expansion of the Social Security tax cut, which took effect this year and is scheduled to expire by year’s end. The tax cut now applies only to workers; it reduces their Social Security tax from 6.2 percent to 4.2 percent. Employers still pay the 6.2 percent rate.
Obama would renew the tax cut for a year and deepen it: He would drop workers’ Social Security tax to 3.1 percent.
Under his bigger tax cut, an extra $1,550 would go to taxpayers earning $50,000 a year. The Social Security tax is imposed on the first $106,800 of taxable income. That means the maximum savings would be about $3,300 for an individual and $6,600 for a couple.
Obama would also halve Social Security taxes for businesses whose payrolls are $5 million or less. The White House says that would include 98 percent of U.S. businesses.
Zandi calls this a “creative” way to help small companies, which have struggled more than larger ones to recover from the Great Recession of 2007-2009. During recoveries, small businesses normally drive job creation.
“Something like this is much needed” for an economy grappling with 9.1 percent unemployment, Zandi said. “The economy is on the edge of recession.”
Susan Wachter, a finance professor at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, figures that the Social Security tax cuts alone would add 1 percentage point to economic growth and create 1 million jobs next year.
The president’s plan also takes a shot at long-term unemployment: Companies would get a $4,000 tax break for hiring people who have been unemployed for more than six months. As of August, the government says, 43 percent of unemployed Americans have been out of work for six months or more.
The plan would also extend emergency unemployment benefits; ramp up spending on public works projects; and provide aid to keep state and local governments from laying off teachers. Obama would pay for his program with future budget cuts.
Consumer spending accounts for about 70 percent of the economy.
Some economists cautioned, though, that some factors might blunt the impact of Obama’s enlarged Social Security tax cut. For one thing, the tax cut would deliver only a temporary boost. It would expire at the end of 2012. Most economists foresee unemployment remaining high well after next year.
And Michael Mandel, chief economic strategist for the Progressive Policy Institute, suggested that the link between consumer spending and job creation is weaker in an economy like America’s that’s highly open to foreign goods.
“If the payroll tax cut encourages consumers to buy more (imported) clothing, that’s likely to create more jobs overseas than in the U.S.,” Mandel said.
In addition, Paul Ashworth, chief U.S. economist at Capital Economics, said many taxpayers might save the extra money from the tax cut rather than spend it.
“In an environment where economic confidence has been almost completely destroyed, there is a risk that both households and small businesses will save a greater proportion of any windfall, particularly if they know the reduction is only temporary,” Ashworth said.
The White House plan would also extend emergency unemployment benefits for another year. Economists note that unemployment checks put money in the hands of people who are most likely to spend it immediately.
That spending tends to boost demand for goods and services and give companies more reason to hire. The forecasting firm Macroeconomic Advisers has estimated that an additional year of emergency unemployment benefits would support 200,000 jobs in 2012.
Obama also wants $30 billion to modernize schools, $50 billion for road and bridge projects and a bank that would finance more public works projects.
The president’s plan will likely face resistance in Congress. Republicans have opposed further spending and have pushed to reduce the budget and shrink the government.
Still, the Wharton School’s Wachter called Obama’s plan a serious proposal that should be politically acceptable “across the board.”
Menzie Chinn, an economist at the University of Wisconsin, would favor an even bigger jobs package for an economy that grew at an annual rate of just 0.7 percent in the first six months of the year and created zero net jobs in August.
He said he fears that Obama’s plan merely makes up for the expiration of the president’s earlier $862 billion economic stimulus plan.
Even so, Chinn said, the measures Obama proposed Thursday night “might prevent the economy from dropping below stall speed” — at which point it would be vulnerable to another recession.
By PAUL WISEMAN and DEREK KRAVITZ
AP Economics Writers
Friday, September 9, 2011
WASHINGTON — A tentative thumbs-up.
That was the assessment Thursday night from economists, who offered mainly positive reviews of President Barack Obama’s $447 billion plan to stimulate job creation.
Some predicted it would put hundreds of thousands of people back to work next year, mainly because a Social Security tax cut for workers would be deepened and extended to small businesses.
“Payroll tax cuts are very powerful,” said Allen Sinai, chief economist of Decision Economics. “They provide a boost to direct income and, in turn, spending, which is important to growth.”
Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics, estimated that the president’s plan would boost economic growth by 2 percentage points, add 2 million jobs and reduce unemployment by a full percentage point next year compared with existing law.
The heart of Obama’s plan is an expansion of the Social Security tax cut, which took effect this year and is scheduled to expire by year’s end. The tax cut now applies only to workers; it reduces their Social Security tax from 6.2 percent to 4.2 percent. Employers still pay the 6.2 percent rate.
Obama would renew the tax cut for a year and deepen it: He would drop workers’ Social Security tax to 3.1 percent.
Under his bigger tax cut, an extra $1,550 would go to taxpayers earning $50,000 a year. The Social Security tax is imposed on the first $106,800 of taxable income. That means the maximum savings would be about $3,300 for an individual and $6,600 for a couple.
Obama would also halve Social Security taxes for businesses whose payrolls are $5 million or less. The White House says that would include 98 percent of U.S. businesses.
Zandi calls this a “creative” way to help small companies, which have struggled more than larger ones to recover from the Great Recession of 2007-2009. During recoveries, small businesses normally drive job creation.
“Something like this is much needed” for an economy grappling with 9.1 percent unemployment, Zandi said. “The economy is on the edge of recession.”
Susan Wachter, a finance professor at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, figures that the Social Security tax cuts alone would add 1 percentage point to economic growth and create 1 million jobs next year.
The president’s plan also takes a shot at long-term unemployment: Companies would get a $4,000 tax break for hiring people who have been unemployed for more than six months. As of August, the government says, 43 percent of unemployed Americans have been out of work for six months or more.
The plan would also extend emergency unemployment benefits; ramp up spending on public works projects; and provide aid to keep state and local governments from laying off teachers. Obama would pay for his program with future budget cuts.
Consumer spending accounts for about 70 percent of the economy.
Some economists cautioned, though, that some factors might blunt the impact of Obama’s enlarged Social Security tax cut. For one thing, the tax cut would deliver only a temporary boost. It would expire at the end of 2012. Most economists foresee unemployment remaining high well after next year.
And Michael Mandel, chief economic strategist for the Progressive Policy Institute, suggested that the link between consumer spending and job creation is weaker in an economy like America’s that’s highly open to foreign goods.
“If the payroll tax cut encourages consumers to buy more (imported) clothing, that’s likely to create more jobs overseas than in the U.S.,” Mandel said.
In addition, Paul Ashworth, chief U.S. economist at Capital Economics, said many taxpayers might save the extra money from the tax cut rather than spend it.
“In an environment where economic confidence has been almost completely destroyed, there is a risk that both households and small businesses will save a greater proportion of any windfall, particularly if they know the reduction is only temporary,” Ashworth said.
The White House plan would also extend emergency unemployment benefits for another year. Economists note that unemployment checks put money in the hands of people who are most likely to spend it immediately.
That spending tends to boost demand for goods and services and give companies more reason to hire. The forecasting firm Macroeconomic Advisers has estimated that an additional year of emergency unemployment benefits would support 200,000 jobs in 2012.
Obama also wants $30 billion to modernize schools, $50 billion for road and bridge projects and a bank that would finance more public works projects.
The president’s plan will likely face resistance in Congress. Republicans have opposed further spending and have pushed to reduce the budget and shrink the government.
Still, the Wharton School’s Wachter called Obama’s plan a serious proposal that should be politically acceptable “across the board.”
Menzie Chinn, an economist at the University of Wisconsin, would favor an even bigger jobs package for an economy that grew at an annual rate of just 0.7 percent in the first six months of the year and created zero net jobs in August.
He said he fears that Obama’s plan merely makes up for the expiration of the president’s earlier $862 billion economic stimulus plan.
Even so, Chinn said, the measures Obama proposed Thursday night “might prevent the economy from dropping below stall speed” — at which point it would be vulnerable to another recession.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Fact Sheet :THE AMERICAN JOBS ACT
THE AMERICAN JOBS ACT
1. Tax Cuts to Help America’s Small Businesses Hire and Grow
* Cutting the payroll tax in half for 98 percent of businesses: The President’s plan will cut in half the taxes paid by businesses on their first $5 million in payroll, targeting the benefit to the 98 percent of firms that have payroll below this threshold.
* A complete payroll tax holiday for added workers or increased wages: The President’s plan will completely eliminate payroll taxes for firms that increase their payroll by adding new workers or increasing the wages of their current worker (the benefit is capped at the first $50 million in payroll increases).
* Extending 100% expensing into 2012: This continues an effective incentive for new investment.
* Reforms and regulatory reductions to help entrepreneurs and small businesses access capital.
2. Putting Workers Back on the Job While Rebuilding and Modernizing America
* A “Returning Heroes” hiring tax credit for veterans: This provides tax credits from $5,600 to $9,600 to encourage the hiring of unemployed veterans.
* Preventing up to 280,000 teacher layoffs,while keeping cops and firefighters on the job.
* Modernizing at least 35,000 public schools across the country,supporting new science labs, Internet-ready classrooms and renovations at schools across the country, in rural and urban areas.
* Immediate investments in infrastructure and a bipartisan National Infrastructure Bank, modernizing our roads, rail, airports and waterways while putting hundreds of thousands of workers back on the job.
* A New “Project Rebuild”, which will put people to work rehabilitating homes, businesses and communities, leveraging private capital and scaling land banks and other public-private collaborations.
* Expanding access to high-speed wireless as part of a plan for freeing up the nation’s spectrum.
3. Pathways Back to Work for Americans Looking for Jobs.
* The most innovative reform to the unemployment insurance program in 40 years: As part of an extension of unemployment insurance to prevent 5 million Americans looking for work from losing their benefits, the President’s plan includes innovative work-based reforms to prevent layoffs and give states greater flexibility to use UI funds to best support job-seekers, including:
o Work-Sharing: UI for workers whose employers choose work-sharing over layoffs.
o A new “Bridge to Work” program: The plan builds on and improves innovative state programs where those displacedtake temporary, voluntary work or pursue on-the-job training.
o Innovative entrepreneurship and wage insurance programs: States will also be empowered to implement wage insurance to help reemploy older workers and programs that make it easier for unemployed workers to start their own businesses.
* A $4,000 tax credit to employers for hiring long-term unemployed workers.
* Prohibiting employers from discriminating against unemployed workers when hiring.
* Expanding job opportunities for low-income youth and adults through a fund for successful approaches for subsidized employment, innovative training programs and summer/year-round jobs for youth.
4. Tax Relief for Every American Worker and Family
* Cutting payroll taxes in half for 160 million workers next year: The President’s plan will expand the payroll tax cut passed last year to cut workers payroll taxes in half in 2012 – providing a $1,500 tax cut to the typical American family, without negatively impacting the Social Security Trust Fund.
* Allowing more Americans to refinance their mortgages at today’s near 4 percent interest rates, which can put more than $2,000 a year in a family’s pocket.
5. Fully Paid for as Part of the President’s Long-Term Deficit Reduction Plan.To ensure that the American Jobs Act is fully paid for, the President will call on the Joint Committee to come up with additional deficit reduction necessary to pay for the Act and still meet its deficit target. The President will, in the coming days, release a detailed plan that will show how we can do that while achieving the additional deficit reduction necessary to meet the President’s broader goal of stabilizing our debt as a share of the economy.
AMERICAN JOBS ACT OVERVIEW
The American people understand that the economic crisis and the deep recession weren’t created overnight and won’t be solved overnight. The economic security of the middle class has been under attack for decades. That’s why President Obama believes we need to do more than just recover from this economic crisis – we need to rebuild the economy the American way, based on balance, fairness, and the same set of rules for everyone from Wall Street to Main Street. We can work together to create the jobs of the future by helping small business entrepreneurs, by investing in education, and by making things the world buys. The President understands that to restore an American economy that’s built to last we cannot afford to outsource American jobs and encourage reckless financial deals that put middle class security at risk.
To create jobs, the President unveiled the American Jobs Act – nearly all of which is made up of ideas that have been supported by both Democrats and Republicans, and that Congress should pass right away to get the economy moving now. The purpose of the American Jobs Act is simple: put more people back to work and put more money in the pockets of working Americans. And it would do so without adding a dime to the deficit.
Tax Cuts to Help America’s Small Businesses Hire and Grow
New Tax Cuts to Businesses to Support Hiring and Investment:The President is proposing three tax cuts to provide immediate incentives to hire and invest:
* Cutting the Payroll Tax Cut in Half for the First $5 Million in Wages:This provision would cut the payroll tax in half to 3.1% for employers on the first $5 million in wages, providing broad tax relief to all businesses but targeting it to the 98 percent of firms with wages below this level.
* Temporarily Eliminating Employer Payroll Taxes on Wages for New Workers or Raises for Existing Workers:The President is proposing a full holiday on the 6.2% payroll tax firms pay for any growth in their payroll up to $50 million above the prior year, whether driven by new hires, increased wages or both. This is the kind of job creation measure that CBO has called the most effective of all tax cuts in supporting employment.
* Extending 100% Expensing into 2012:The President is proposing to extend 100 percent expensing, the largest temporary investment incentive in history, allowing all firms – large and small – to take an immediate deduction on investments in new plants and equipment.
* Helping Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses Access Capital and Grow: The President’s plan includes administrative, regulatory and legislative measures – including those developed and recommended by the President’s Jobs Council – to help small firms start and expand. This includes changing the way the government does business with small firms. The Administration will soon announce a plan to accelerate government payments to small contractors to help put money in their hands faster. The President is also charging his CIO and CTO to, within 90 days, stand up a one-stop, online portal for small businesses to easily access government services. As part of the President’s Startup America initiative, the Administration will work with the SEC to conduct a comprehensive review of securities regulations from the perspective of these small companies to reduce the regulatory burdens on small business capital formation in ways that are consistent with investor protection, including expanding “crowdfunding” opportunities and increasing mini-offerings. Finally, the President’s plan calls for Congress to pass comprehensive patent reform, increase guarantees for bonds to help small businesses compete for infrastructure projects and remove burdensome withholding requirements that keep capital out of the hands of job creators.
Putting Workers Back on the Job While Rebuilding and Modernizing America
* Tax Credits and Career Readiness Efforts to Support Veterans’ Hiring:The President is proposing a Returning Heroes Tax Credit of up to $5,600 for hiring unemployed veterans who have been looking for a job for more than six months, and a Wounded Warriors Tax Credit of up to $9,600 for hiring unemployed workers with service-connected disabilities who have been looking for a job for more than six months, while creating a new task force to maximize career readiness of servicemembers.
* Preventing Layoffs of Teachers, Cops and Firefighters:The President is proposing to invest $35 billion to prevent layoffs of up to 280,000 teachers, while supporting the hiring of tens of thousands more and keeping cops and firefighters on the job. These funds would help states and localities avoid and reverse layoffs now, requiring that funds be drawn down quickly. Under the President’s proposal, $30 billion be directed towards educators and $5 billion would support the hiring and retention of public safety and first responder personnel.
* Modernizing Over 35,000 Schools – From Science Labs and Internet-Ready Classrooms to Renovated Facilities:The President is proposing a $25 billion investment in school infrastructure that will modernize at least 35,000 public schools – investments that will create jobs, while improving classrooms and upgrading our schools to meet 21st century needs. This includes a priority for rural schools and dedicated funding for Bureau of Indian Education funded schools. Funds could be used for a range of emergency repair and renovation projects, greening and energy efficiency upgrades, asbestos abatement and removal, and modernization efforts to build new science and computer labs and to upgrade technology in our schools. The President is also proposing a $5 billion investment in modernizing community colleges (including tribal colleges), bolstering their infrastructure in this time of need while ensuring their ability to serve future generations of students and communities.
* Making an Immediate Investment in Our Roads, Rails and Airports: The President’s plan includes $50 billion in immediate investments for highways, transit, rail and aviation, helping to modernize an infrastructure that now receives a grade of “D” from the American Society of Civil Engineers and putting hundreds of thousands of construction workers back on the job. The President’s plan includes investments to improve our airports, support NextGen Air Traffic Modernization efforts, and resources for the TIGER and TIFIA programs, which target competitive dollars to innovative multi-modal infrastructure programs. It will also take special steps to enhance infrastructure-related job training opportunities for individuals from underrepresented groups and ensure that small businesses can compete for infrastructure contracts.The President will work administratively to speed infrastructure investment through a recently issued Presidential Memorandum developed with his Jobs Council directingdepartments and agencies to identify high impact, job-creating infrastructure projects that can be expedited in a transparent manner through outstanding review and permitting processes. The call for greater infrastructure investment has been joined by leaders from AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka to U.S. Chamber of Commerce President Thomas Donohue.
* Establishing a National Infrastructure Bank:The President is calling for Congress to pass a National Infrastructure Bank capitalized with $10 billion, in order to leverage private and public capital and to invest in a broad range of infrastructure projects of nationaland regional significance, without earmarks or traditional political influence. The Bank would be based on the model Senators Kerry and Hutchison have championed while building on legislation by Senators Rockefeller and Lautenberg and the work of long-time infrastructure bank champions like Rosa DeLauro and the input of the President’s Jobs Council.
* Project Rebuild: Putting People Back to Work Rehabilitating Homes, Businesses and Communities. The President is proposing to invest $15 billion in a national effort to put construction workers on the job rehabilitating and refurbishing hundreds of thousands of vacant and foreclosed homes and businesses. Building on proven approaches to stabilizing neighborhoods with high concentrations of foreclosures, Project Rebuild will bring in expertise and capital from the private sector, focus on commercial and residential property improvements, and expand innovative property solutions like land banks. This approach will not only create construction jobs but will help reduce blight and crime and stabilize housing prices in areas hardest hit by the housing crisis.
* Expanding Access to High-Speed Wireless in a Fiscally Responsible Way: The President is calling for a deficit reducing plan to deploy high-speed wireless services to at least 98 percent of Americans, including those in more remote rural communities, while freeing up spectrum through incentive auctions, spurring innovation, and creating a nationwide, interoperable wireless network for public safety.
Pathways Back to Work for Americans Looking for Jobs
* Reform Our Unemployment Insurance System to Provide Greater Flexibility, While Ensuring 6 Million People Do Not Lose Benefits: Drawing on the best ideas of both parties and the most innovative states, the President is proposing the most sweeping reforms to the unemployment insurance (UI) system in 40 years help those without jobs transition to the workplace. Alongside these reforms, the President is reiterating his call to extend unemployment insurance, preventing 6 million people looking for work from losing their benefits and extending what the independent Congressional Budget Office has determined is the highest “bang for the buck” option to increase economic activity.
* Reemployment Assistance: States will be required to design more rigorous reemployment services for the long-term unemployed and to conduct assessments to review the longest-term claimants of UI to assess their eligibility and help them develop a work-search plan. These reforms are proven to speed up UI beneficiaries’ return to work.
* Work-sharing:The President will expand “work-sharing” to encourage arrangements using UI that keep employees on the job at reduced hours, rather than laying them off.
* State Flexibility for Bold Reforms to Put the Long-Term Unemployed Back To Work:The President is proposing to provide additional funds to allow states to introduce new programs aimed at long-term unemployed workers, including:
* “Bridge to Work” Programs:States will be able to put in place reforms that build off what works in programs like Georgia Works or Opportunity North Carolina, while instituting important fixes and reforms that ensure minimum wage and fair labor protections are being enforced. These approaches permits long-term unemployed workers to continue receiving UI while they take temporary, voluntary work or pursue work-based training. The President’s plan requires compliance with applicable minimum wage and other worker rights laws.
* Wage Insurance: States will be able to use UI to encourage older, long-term unemployed Americans to return to work in new industries or occupations.
* Startup Assistance: States will have flexibility to help long-term unemployed workers create their own jobs by starting their own small businesses.
* Other Reemployment Reforms: States will be able to seek waivers from the Secretary of Labor to implement other innovative reforms to connect the long-term unemployed to work opportunities.
* Tax Credits for Hiring the Long-Term Unemployed:The President is proposing a tax credit of up to $4,000 for hiring workers who have been looking for a job for over six months.
* Investing in Low-Income Youth and Adults: The President is proposing a new Pathways Back to Work Fund to provide hundreds of thousands of low-income youth and adults with opportunities to work and to achieve needed training in growth industries. The Initiative will do three things: i) support summer and year-round jobs for youth, building off of successful programs that supported over 370,000 such jobs in 2009 and 2010; ii) support subsidized employment opportunities for low-income individuals who are unemployed, building off the successful TANF Emergency Contingency Fund wage subsidy program that supported 260,000 jobs in 2009 and 2010; and iii) support promising and innovative local work-based job and training initiatives to place low-income adults and youths in jobs quickly.
* Prohibiting Employers from Discriminating Against Unemployed Workers: The President’s plan calls for legislation that would make it unlawful to refuse to hire applicants solely because they are unemployed or to include in a job posting a provision that unemployed persons will not be considered.
More Money in the Pockets of Every American Worker and Family
* Cutting Payroll Taxes in Half for 160 Million Workers Next Year: The President’s plan will expand the payroll tax cut passed last December by cutting workers payroll taxes in half next year. This provision will provide a tax cut of $1,500 to the typical family earning $50,000 a year. As with the payroll tax cut passed in December 2010, the American Jobs Act will specify that Social Security will still receive every dollar it would have gotten otherwise, through a transfer from the General Fund into the Social Security Trust Fund.
* Helping More Americans Refinance Mortgages at Today’s Historically Low Interest Rates: The President has instructed his economic team to work with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, their regulator the FHFA, major lenders and industry leaders to remove the barriers that exist in the current refinancing program (HARP) to help more borrowers benefit from today’s historically low interest rates. This has the potential to not only help these borrowers, but their communities and the American taxpayer, by keeping borrowers in their homes and reducing risk to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
Fully Paid for as Part of the President’s Long-Term Deficit Reduction Plan.
* To ensure that the American Jobs Act is fully paid for, the President will call on the Joint Committee to come up with additional deficit reduction necessary to pay for the Act and still meet its deficit target. The President will, in the coming days, release a detailed plan that will show how we can do that while achieving the additional deficit reduction necessary to meet the President’s broader goal of stabilizing our debt as a share of the economy.
$, bn
Tax Cuts to Help America’s Small Businesses Hire and Grow
70
Cut employer payroll taxes in half & bonus payroll cut for new jobs/wages
65
Extend 100% expensing in 2012
5
Putting Workers Back on the Job While Rebuilding and Modernizing America
140
Teacher rehiring and first responders
35
Modernizing schools
30
Immediate surface transportation
50
Infrastructure bank
10
Rehabilitation/repurposing of vacant property (neighborhood stabilization)
15
National wireless initiative
0*
Veterans hiring initiative
n.a.
Pathways Back to Work for Americans Looking for Jobs
62
UI Reform and Extension
49
Jobs tax credit for long term unemployed
8
Pathways back to work fund
5
More Money in the Pockets of Every American Worker and Family
175
Cutting employee payroll taxes in half in 2012
175
TOTAL
447
* Proposal has a gross cost of $10bn, but a net deficit reducing impact of $18bn because of spectrum auction proceeds.
1. Tax Cuts to Help America’s Small Businesses Hire and Grow
* Cutting the payroll tax in half for 98 percent of businesses: The President’s plan will cut in half the taxes paid by businesses on their first $5 million in payroll, targeting the benefit to the 98 percent of firms that have payroll below this threshold.
* A complete payroll tax holiday for added workers or increased wages: The President’s plan will completely eliminate payroll taxes for firms that increase their payroll by adding new workers or increasing the wages of their current worker (the benefit is capped at the first $50 million in payroll increases).
* Extending 100% expensing into 2012: This continues an effective incentive for new investment.
* Reforms and regulatory reductions to help entrepreneurs and small businesses access capital.
2. Putting Workers Back on the Job While Rebuilding and Modernizing America
* A “Returning Heroes” hiring tax credit for veterans: This provides tax credits from $5,600 to $9,600 to encourage the hiring of unemployed veterans.
* Preventing up to 280,000 teacher layoffs,while keeping cops and firefighters on the job.
* Modernizing at least 35,000 public schools across the country,supporting new science labs, Internet-ready classrooms and renovations at schools across the country, in rural and urban areas.
* Immediate investments in infrastructure and a bipartisan National Infrastructure Bank, modernizing our roads, rail, airports and waterways while putting hundreds of thousands of workers back on the job.
* A New “Project Rebuild”, which will put people to work rehabilitating homes, businesses and communities, leveraging private capital and scaling land banks and other public-private collaborations.
* Expanding access to high-speed wireless as part of a plan for freeing up the nation’s spectrum.
3. Pathways Back to Work for Americans Looking for Jobs.
* The most innovative reform to the unemployment insurance program in 40 years: As part of an extension of unemployment insurance to prevent 5 million Americans looking for work from losing their benefits, the President’s plan includes innovative work-based reforms to prevent layoffs and give states greater flexibility to use UI funds to best support job-seekers, including:
o Work-Sharing: UI for workers whose employers choose work-sharing over layoffs.
o A new “Bridge to Work” program: The plan builds on and improves innovative state programs where those displacedtake temporary, voluntary work or pursue on-the-job training.
o Innovative entrepreneurship and wage insurance programs: States will also be empowered to implement wage insurance to help reemploy older workers and programs that make it easier for unemployed workers to start their own businesses.
* A $4,000 tax credit to employers for hiring long-term unemployed workers.
* Prohibiting employers from discriminating against unemployed workers when hiring.
* Expanding job opportunities for low-income youth and adults through a fund for successful approaches for subsidized employment, innovative training programs and summer/year-round jobs for youth.
4. Tax Relief for Every American Worker and Family
* Cutting payroll taxes in half for 160 million workers next year: The President’s plan will expand the payroll tax cut passed last year to cut workers payroll taxes in half in 2012 – providing a $1,500 tax cut to the typical American family, without negatively impacting the Social Security Trust Fund.
* Allowing more Americans to refinance their mortgages at today’s near 4 percent interest rates, which can put more than $2,000 a year in a family’s pocket.
5. Fully Paid for as Part of the President’s Long-Term Deficit Reduction Plan.To ensure that the American Jobs Act is fully paid for, the President will call on the Joint Committee to come up with additional deficit reduction necessary to pay for the Act and still meet its deficit target. The President will, in the coming days, release a detailed plan that will show how we can do that while achieving the additional deficit reduction necessary to meet the President’s broader goal of stabilizing our debt as a share of the economy.
AMERICAN JOBS ACT OVERVIEW
The American people understand that the economic crisis and the deep recession weren’t created overnight and won’t be solved overnight. The economic security of the middle class has been under attack for decades. That’s why President Obama believes we need to do more than just recover from this economic crisis – we need to rebuild the economy the American way, based on balance, fairness, and the same set of rules for everyone from Wall Street to Main Street. We can work together to create the jobs of the future by helping small business entrepreneurs, by investing in education, and by making things the world buys. The President understands that to restore an American economy that’s built to last we cannot afford to outsource American jobs and encourage reckless financial deals that put middle class security at risk.
To create jobs, the President unveiled the American Jobs Act – nearly all of which is made up of ideas that have been supported by both Democrats and Republicans, and that Congress should pass right away to get the economy moving now. The purpose of the American Jobs Act is simple: put more people back to work and put more money in the pockets of working Americans. And it would do so without adding a dime to the deficit.
Tax Cuts to Help America’s Small Businesses Hire and Grow
New Tax Cuts to Businesses to Support Hiring and Investment:The President is proposing three tax cuts to provide immediate incentives to hire and invest:
* Cutting the Payroll Tax Cut in Half for the First $5 Million in Wages:This provision would cut the payroll tax in half to 3.1% for employers on the first $5 million in wages, providing broad tax relief to all businesses but targeting it to the 98 percent of firms with wages below this level.
* Temporarily Eliminating Employer Payroll Taxes on Wages for New Workers or Raises for Existing Workers:The President is proposing a full holiday on the 6.2% payroll tax firms pay for any growth in their payroll up to $50 million above the prior year, whether driven by new hires, increased wages or both. This is the kind of job creation measure that CBO has called the most effective of all tax cuts in supporting employment.
* Extending 100% Expensing into 2012:The President is proposing to extend 100 percent expensing, the largest temporary investment incentive in history, allowing all firms – large and small – to take an immediate deduction on investments in new plants and equipment.
* Helping Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses Access Capital and Grow: The President’s plan includes administrative, regulatory and legislative measures – including those developed and recommended by the President’s Jobs Council – to help small firms start and expand. This includes changing the way the government does business with small firms. The Administration will soon announce a plan to accelerate government payments to small contractors to help put money in their hands faster. The President is also charging his CIO and CTO to, within 90 days, stand up a one-stop, online portal for small businesses to easily access government services. As part of the President’s Startup America initiative, the Administration will work with the SEC to conduct a comprehensive review of securities regulations from the perspective of these small companies to reduce the regulatory burdens on small business capital formation in ways that are consistent with investor protection, including expanding “crowdfunding” opportunities and increasing mini-offerings. Finally, the President’s plan calls for Congress to pass comprehensive patent reform, increase guarantees for bonds to help small businesses compete for infrastructure projects and remove burdensome withholding requirements that keep capital out of the hands of job creators.
Putting Workers Back on the Job While Rebuilding and Modernizing America
* Tax Credits and Career Readiness Efforts to Support Veterans’ Hiring:The President is proposing a Returning Heroes Tax Credit of up to $5,600 for hiring unemployed veterans who have been looking for a job for more than six months, and a Wounded Warriors Tax Credit of up to $9,600 for hiring unemployed workers with service-connected disabilities who have been looking for a job for more than six months, while creating a new task force to maximize career readiness of servicemembers.
* Preventing Layoffs of Teachers, Cops and Firefighters:The President is proposing to invest $35 billion to prevent layoffs of up to 280,000 teachers, while supporting the hiring of tens of thousands more and keeping cops and firefighters on the job. These funds would help states and localities avoid and reverse layoffs now, requiring that funds be drawn down quickly. Under the President’s proposal, $30 billion be directed towards educators and $5 billion would support the hiring and retention of public safety and first responder personnel.
* Modernizing Over 35,000 Schools – From Science Labs and Internet-Ready Classrooms to Renovated Facilities:The President is proposing a $25 billion investment in school infrastructure that will modernize at least 35,000 public schools – investments that will create jobs, while improving classrooms and upgrading our schools to meet 21st century needs. This includes a priority for rural schools and dedicated funding for Bureau of Indian Education funded schools. Funds could be used for a range of emergency repair and renovation projects, greening and energy efficiency upgrades, asbestos abatement and removal, and modernization efforts to build new science and computer labs and to upgrade technology in our schools. The President is also proposing a $5 billion investment in modernizing community colleges (including tribal colleges), bolstering their infrastructure in this time of need while ensuring their ability to serve future generations of students and communities.
* Making an Immediate Investment in Our Roads, Rails and Airports: The President’s plan includes $50 billion in immediate investments for highways, transit, rail and aviation, helping to modernize an infrastructure that now receives a grade of “D” from the American Society of Civil Engineers and putting hundreds of thousands of construction workers back on the job. The President’s plan includes investments to improve our airports, support NextGen Air Traffic Modernization efforts, and resources for the TIGER and TIFIA programs, which target competitive dollars to innovative multi-modal infrastructure programs. It will also take special steps to enhance infrastructure-related job training opportunities for individuals from underrepresented groups and ensure that small businesses can compete for infrastructure contracts.The President will work administratively to speed infrastructure investment through a recently issued Presidential Memorandum developed with his Jobs Council directingdepartments and agencies to identify high impact, job-creating infrastructure projects that can be expedited in a transparent manner through outstanding review and permitting processes. The call for greater infrastructure investment has been joined by leaders from AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka to U.S. Chamber of Commerce President Thomas Donohue.
* Establishing a National Infrastructure Bank:The President is calling for Congress to pass a National Infrastructure Bank capitalized with $10 billion, in order to leverage private and public capital and to invest in a broad range of infrastructure projects of nationaland regional significance, without earmarks or traditional political influence. The Bank would be based on the model Senators Kerry and Hutchison have championed while building on legislation by Senators Rockefeller and Lautenberg and the work of long-time infrastructure bank champions like Rosa DeLauro and the input of the President’s Jobs Council.
* Project Rebuild: Putting People Back to Work Rehabilitating Homes, Businesses and Communities. The President is proposing to invest $15 billion in a national effort to put construction workers on the job rehabilitating and refurbishing hundreds of thousands of vacant and foreclosed homes and businesses. Building on proven approaches to stabilizing neighborhoods with high concentrations of foreclosures, Project Rebuild will bring in expertise and capital from the private sector, focus on commercial and residential property improvements, and expand innovative property solutions like land banks. This approach will not only create construction jobs but will help reduce blight and crime and stabilize housing prices in areas hardest hit by the housing crisis.
* Expanding Access to High-Speed Wireless in a Fiscally Responsible Way: The President is calling for a deficit reducing plan to deploy high-speed wireless services to at least 98 percent of Americans, including those in more remote rural communities, while freeing up spectrum through incentive auctions, spurring innovation, and creating a nationwide, interoperable wireless network for public safety.
Pathways Back to Work for Americans Looking for Jobs
* Reform Our Unemployment Insurance System to Provide Greater Flexibility, While Ensuring 6 Million People Do Not Lose Benefits: Drawing on the best ideas of both parties and the most innovative states, the President is proposing the most sweeping reforms to the unemployment insurance (UI) system in 40 years help those without jobs transition to the workplace. Alongside these reforms, the President is reiterating his call to extend unemployment insurance, preventing 6 million people looking for work from losing their benefits and extending what the independent Congressional Budget Office has determined is the highest “bang for the buck” option to increase economic activity.
* Reemployment Assistance: States will be required to design more rigorous reemployment services for the long-term unemployed and to conduct assessments to review the longest-term claimants of UI to assess their eligibility and help them develop a work-search plan. These reforms are proven to speed up UI beneficiaries’ return to work.
* Work-sharing:The President will expand “work-sharing” to encourage arrangements using UI that keep employees on the job at reduced hours, rather than laying them off.
* State Flexibility for Bold Reforms to Put the Long-Term Unemployed Back To Work:The President is proposing to provide additional funds to allow states to introduce new programs aimed at long-term unemployed workers, including:
* “Bridge to Work” Programs:States will be able to put in place reforms that build off what works in programs like Georgia Works or Opportunity North Carolina, while instituting important fixes and reforms that ensure minimum wage and fair labor protections are being enforced. These approaches permits long-term unemployed workers to continue receiving UI while they take temporary, voluntary work or pursue work-based training. The President’s plan requires compliance with applicable minimum wage and other worker rights laws.
* Wage Insurance: States will be able to use UI to encourage older, long-term unemployed Americans to return to work in new industries or occupations.
* Startup Assistance: States will have flexibility to help long-term unemployed workers create their own jobs by starting their own small businesses.
* Other Reemployment Reforms: States will be able to seek waivers from the Secretary of Labor to implement other innovative reforms to connect the long-term unemployed to work opportunities.
* Tax Credits for Hiring the Long-Term Unemployed:The President is proposing a tax credit of up to $4,000 for hiring workers who have been looking for a job for over six months.
* Investing in Low-Income Youth and Adults: The President is proposing a new Pathways Back to Work Fund to provide hundreds of thousands of low-income youth and adults with opportunities to work and to achieve needed training in growth industries. The Initiative will do three things: i) support summer and year-round jobs for youth, building off of successful programs that supported over 370,000 such jobs in 2009 and 2010; ii) support subsidized employment opportunities for low-income individuals who are unemployed, building off the successful TANF Emergency Contingency Fund wage subsidy program that supported 260,000 jobs in 2009 and 2010; and iii) support promising and innovative local work-based job and training initiatives to place low-income adults and youths in jobs quickly.
* Prohibiting Employers from Discriminating Against Unemployed Workers: The President’s plan calls for legislation that would make it unlawful to refuse to hire applicants solely because they are unemployed or to include in a job posting a provision that unemployed persons will not be considered.
More Money in the Pockets of Every American Worker and Family
* Cutting Payroll Taxes in Half for 160 Million Workers Next Year: The President’s plan will expand the payroll tax cut passed last December by cutting workers payroll taxes in half next year. This provision will provide a tax cut of $1,500 to the typical family earning $50,000 a year. As with the payroll tax cut passed in December 2010, the American Jobs Act will specify that Social Security will still receive every dollar it would have gotten otherwise, through a transfer from the General Fund into the Social Security Trust Fund.
* Helping More Americans Refinance Mortgages at Today’s Historically Low Interest Rates: The President has instructed his economic team to work with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, their regulator the FHFA, major lenders and industry leaders to remove the barriers that exist in the current refinancing program (HARP) to help more borrowers benefit from today’s historically low interest rates. This has the potential to not only help these borrowers, but their communities and the American taxpayer, by keeping borrowers in their homes and reducing risk to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
Fully Paid for as Part of the President’s Long-Term Deficit Reduction Plan.
* To ensure that the American Jobs Act is fully paid for, the President will call on the Joint Committee to come up with additional deficit reduction necessary to pay for the Act and still meet its deficit target. The President will, in the coming days, release a detailed plan that will show how we can do that while achieving the additional deficit reduction necessary to meet the President’s broader goal of stabilizing our debt as a share of the economy.
$, bn
Tax Cuts to Help America’s Small Businesses Hire and Grow
70
Cut employer payroll taxes in half & bonus payroll cut for new jobs/wages
65
Extend 100% expensing in 2012
5
Putting Workers Back on the Job While Rebuilding and Modernizing America
140
Teacher rehiring and first responders
35
Modernizing schools
30
Immediate surface transportation
50
Infrastructure bank
10
Rehabilitation/repurposing of vacant property (neighborhood stabilization)
15
National wireless initiative
0*
Veterans hiring initiative
n.a.
Pathways Back to Work for Americans Looking for Jobs
62
UI Reform and Extension
49
Jobs tax credit for long term unemployed
8
Pathways back to work fund
5
More Money in the Pockets of Every American Worker and Family
175
Cutting employee payroll taxes in half in 2012
175
TOTAL
447
* Proposal has a gross cost of $10bn, but a net deficit reducing impact of $18bn because of spectrum auction proceeds.
Employment Situation in August
· The August employment report shows private sector payrolls increased by 17,000 and the unemployment rate held at 9.1 percent.
· Despite strong headwinds throughout the year slowing down economic growth, the economy has now added private sector jobs for 18 straight months, for a total of 2.4 million jobs over that period.
· We know times are tough. The reality is the challenges facing middle class Americans weren’t created overnight, and they can’t be solved overnight.
· The unemployment rate is unacceptably high and we need faster economic growth to replace the millions of jobs lost during the recession.
· As the President has said many times, he will not be satisfied until every American who wants to work can find a job. We’re working tirelessly to promote hiring and spur economic growth so families across the country can feel confident in their future and the future of their children.
· On September 8th, President Obama will give a speech to a Joint Session of Congress on a series of proposals to accelerate economic growth and create jobs.
· The President will lay out bipartisan proposals for Congress to take up immediately that will support the American economy by helping small businesses, getting Americans back to work, and putting more money in the back pockets of middle class and working Americans, all while reducing the deficit and getting our fiscal house in order.
· The President said: “It is our responsibility to find bipartisan solutions to help grow our economy, and if we are willing to put country before party, I am confident we can do just that.”
· These proposals build on what the President has been pushing Congress to get done for the American people, but will include new ideas to spur job growth in the short term.
· The package will include tax cuts to promote job growth and economic security for the middle class, new infrastructure ideas to get more folks working, and proposals to help the long term unemployed.
· These proposals will be full of ideas that have enjoyed bipartisan support in the past. They are supported by a wide range of economists as the most efficient and effective way to create jobs and strengthen the economy.
· On top of the ideas President Obama will put forth after Labor Day, he will continue to put forward other economic ideas to provide economic security to the middle class and rebuild the economy. These will be both legislative and executive actions.
· Middle class Americans have met their responsibilities, and now it’s time for leaders in Washington to do the same. We need to come together, reach across the aisle and start acting in unison to move the country forward. We need to put politics and political gain aside to work together solving the problems that face our nation.
Additional information on numbers:
· The payroll numbers for August include a temporary strike that depressed employment the week of the survey—taking this into account, in August private sector payrolls increased by 62,000.
· Growth sectors during August included health care and social services (+35,500) and professional and business services (+28,000). Sectors that declined included information (-48,000, which includes Verizon employees who were on strike), construction (-5,000), and manufacturing (-3,000).
· Local governments lost 20,000 jobs in August and have shed 398,000 jobs since February 2010. State government added 5,000 jobs as approximately 22,000 furloughed state workers in Minnesota returned to work.
· Despite strong headwinds throughout the year slowing down economic growth, the economy has now added private sector jobs for 18 straight months, for a total of 2.4 million jobs over that period.
· We know times are tough. The reality is the challenges facing middle class Americans weren’t created overnight, and they can’t be solved overnight.
· The unemployment rate is unacceptably high and we need faster economic growth to replace the millions of jobs lost during the recession.
· As the President has said many times, he will not be satisfied until every American who wants to work can find a job. We’re working tirelessly to promote hiring and spur economic growth so families across the country can feel confident in their future and the future of their children.
· On September 8th, President Obama will give a speech to a Joint Session of Congress on a series of proposals to accelerate economic growth and create jobs.
· The President will lay out bipartisan proposals for Congress to take up immediately that will support the American economy by helping small businesses, getting Americans back to work, and putting more money in the back pockets of middle class and working Americans, all while reducing the deficit and getting our fiscal house in order.
· The President said: “It is our responsibility to find bipartisan solutions to help grow our economy, and if we are willing to put country before party, I am confident we can do just that.”
· These proposals build on what the President has been pushing Congress to get done for the American people, but will include new ideas to spur job growth in the short term.
· The package will include tax cuts to promote job growth and economic security for the middle class, new infrastructure ideas to get more folks working, and proposals to help the long term unemployed.
· These proposals will be full of ideas that have enjoyed bipartisan support in the past. They are supported by a wide range of economists as the most efficient and effective way to create jobs and strengthen the economy.
· On top of the ideas President Obama will put forth after Labor Day, he will continue to put forward other economic ideas to provide economic security to the middle class and rebuild the economy. These will be both legislative and executive actions.
· Middle class Americans have met their responsibilities, and now it’s time for leaders in Washington to do the same. We need to come together, reach across the aisle and start acting in unison to move the country forward. We need to put politics and political gain aside to work together solving the problems that face our nation.
Additional information on numbers:
· The payroll numbers for August include a temporary strike that depressed employment the week of the survey—taking this into account, in August private sector payrolls increased by 62,000.
· Growth sectors during August included health care and social services (+35,500) and professional and business services (+28,000). Sectors that declined included information (-48,000, which includes Verizon employees who were on strike), construction (-5,000), and manufacturing (-3,000).
· Local governments lost 20,000 jobs in August and have shed 398,000 jobs since February 2010. State government added 5,000 jobs as approximately 22,000 furloughed state workers in Minnesota returned to work.
FOR MIDDLE CLASS TeXANS, PERRy’S “MIRACLE” IS JUST A TALL TALE
While Perry might like to talk about the “Texas miracle,” the reality is it’s just another Texas Tall Tale. When he talks about the Texas economy, just remember that growth has been driven by factors he didn’t control - like rising oil prices and increased military spending. And those jobs he claims to have created are low wage jobs. In fact, Texas ties for the highest percentage of minimum wage jobs in the nation. When Americans look at restoring middle class security and the jobs of the future, this is hardly a miracle, it’s a recipe for more of the same.
REALITY: TEXAS’S JOB GROWTH HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH PERRY’S LEADERSHIP
Texas Job Growth “May Have Little To Do With Perry.” [ABC News, 7/8/11]
Major Economic Drivers Of Texas Growth “Were In Place Long Before Gov. Perry Took Office And Will Remain Long After He’s Gone.” [New York Times, 7/18/11]
USA Today Editorial: Texas’s Job Growth Is “Largely Attributable To Its Population Growth” As Well As “Factors That Have Virtually Nothing To Do With State Government Policies In Austin” Like Oil Prices And Proximity To Trading Partners. [Editorial, USA Today, 8/25/11]
* Texas’s Job Growth Is “The Result Of Hard-To-Duplicate Factors, Such As A Fast-Growing Population, And Unusually Low Wages.” [Bloomberg, 7/8/11]
REALITY: TEXAS HAS GROWN LOW-WAGE JOBS AND TIES FOR THE HIGHEST PERCENTAGE OF MINIMUM WAGE JOBS
Under Perry, Texas’s “Employment Trends Shows Substantial Growth In Low-Wage Jobs.” [Dallas Morning News, 8/20/11]
2010: Texas Was Tied For The State With The Highest Percentage Of Minimum Wage Workers, At 9.5 Percent. [Bureau of Economic Analysis, Minimum Wage Workers In Texas – 2010, accessed 9/1/11]
REALITY: PERRY HAS GROWN GOVERNMENT JOBS FOR HIS “TEXAS MIRACLE”
Under Perry, “The Number Of Government Jobs In Texas Has Grown At More Than Double The Rate Of Private-Sector Employment During Perry’s Tenure.” [Washington Post, 8/18/2011]
* Under Perry, Government Job Growth Increased By 18.98%, While Private Sector Job Growth Increased By 7.96%. [data.bls.gov, 9/4/2011]
Since December 2007, Government Jobs In Texas Have Increased By 6.17%, While Private Sector Jobs Have Decreased By 0.66%. [data.bls.gov, 9/4/2011]
2010: Texas’s Largest Industry Was Government, Which Accounted For 11.8 Percent Of GDP. [Bureau of Economic Analysis, Top Five State Industries as a percent of Total GDP, 2010, accessed 9/1/11]
REALITY: TEXAS UNEMPLOYMENT HAS INCREASED SINCE THE END OF THE RECESSION, WHILE NATIONAL UNEMPLOYMENT HAS DECLINED
June 2009 – June 2011 Texas Unemployment Increased From 7.7 Percent To 8.2 Percent. [data.bls.gov, 8/17/2011]
Austin American-Statesman Headline: “Texas Unemployment Rate Hits Its Highest Mark Since 1987.” [Austin American-Statesman, 8/19/11]
* June 2009 To June 2011: While The Percentage Change In U.S. Unemployment Showed A 3% Decline, The Percentage Change In Texas Unemployment Showed A 6% Increase. [data.bls.gov, 8/17/2011]
REALITY: UNDER PERRY, TEXAS HAD THE HIGHEST RATE OF ANY STATE OF PEOPLE WITHOUT INSURANCE
2009: Texas Had The Highest Percentage Of People Without Health Insurance Of Any State In America, At 26%. [Kaiser Foundation, State Health Facts – 2009, accessed 8/31/11]
* 2009: Texas Had 6.2 Million Uninsured People. [Kaiser Foundation, State Health Facts – 2009, accessed, 8/31/11]
Under Perry, 2000 – 2009: The Percentage Of Texans Without Health Insurance Increased From 22.4% To 26.1%. [State Health Access Data Assistance Center, Current Population Survey Data – 2000 and 2009, accessed 8/31/11]
REALITY: TEXAS HAS 1.3 MILLION UNINSURED CHILDREN
2009: Texas Tied For The Highest Percentage Of Children Without Health Insurance Of Any State In America. [Kaiser Foundation, State Health Facts – 2009, accessed 8/31/11]
* 2009: Texas Had 1.3 Million Uninsured Children. [Kaiser Foundation, Texas State Profile, accessed, 8/31/11]
REALITY: TEXANS DO NOT HAVE ADEQUATE ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE
2009: Texas Ranked 43rd Among States For Rate Of Physicians (Per 100,000 Population). [State Rankings, CQ, 8/11/11]
2009: Texas Ranked 44th Among States For Rate Of Registered Nurses (Per 100,000 Population). [State Rankings, CQ, 8/11/11]
2009: Texas Ranked 45th Among States For Rate Of Dentists (Per 100,000 Population). [State Rankings, CQ, 8/11/11]
REALITY: TEXAS’S JOB GROWTH HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH PERRY’S LEADERSHIP
Texas Job Growth “May Have Little To Do With Perry.” [ABC News, 7/8/11]
Major Economic Drivers Of Texas Growth “Were In Place Long Before Gov. Perry Took Office And Will Remain Long After He’s Gone.” [New York Times, 7/18/11]
USA Today Editorial: Texas’s Job Growth Is “Largely Attributable To Its Population Growth” As Well As “Factors That Have Virtually Nothing To Do With State Government Policies In Austin” Like Oil Prices And Proximity To Trading Partners. [Editorial, USA Today, 8/25/11]
* Texas’s Job Growth Is “The Result Of Hard-To-Duplicate Factors, Such As A Fast-Growing Population, And Unusually Low Wages.” [Bloomberg, 7/8/11]
REALITY: TEXAS HAS GROWN LOW-WAGE JOBS AND TIES FOR THE HIGHEST PERCENTAGE OF MINIMUM WAGE JOBS
Under Perry, Texas’s “Employment Trends Shows Substantial Growth In Low-Wage Jobs.” [Dallas Morning News, 8/20/11]
2010: Texas Was Tied For The State With The Highest Percentage Of Minimum Wage Workers, At 9.5 Percent. [Bureau of Economic Analysis, Minimum Wage Workers In Texas – 2010, accessed 9/1/11]
REALITY: PERRY HAS GROWN GOVERNMENT JOBS FOR HIS “TEXAS MIRACLE”
Under Perry, “The Number Of Government Jobs In Texas Has Grown At More Than Double The Rate Of Private-Sector Employment During Perry’s Tenure.” [Washington Post, 8/18/2011]
* Under Perry, Government Job Growth Increased By 18.98%, While Private Sector Job Growth Increased By 7.96%. [data.bls.gov, 9/4/2011]
Since December 2007, Government Jobs In Texas Have Increased By 6.17%, While Private Sector Jobs Have Decreased By 0.66%. [data.bls.gov, 9/4/2011]
2010: Texas’s Largest Industry Was Government, Which Accounted For 11.8 Percent Of GDP. [Bureau of Economic Analysis, Top Five State Industries as a percent of Total GDP, 2010, accessed 9/1/11]
REALITY: TEXAS UNEMPLOYMENT HAS INCREASED SINCE THE END OF THE RECESSION, WHILE NATIONAL UNEMPLOYMENT HAS DECLINED
June 2009 – June 2011 Texas Unemployment Increased From 7.7 Percent To 8.2 Percent. [data.bls.gov, 8/17/2011]
Austin American-Statesman Headline: “Texas Unemployment Rate Hits Its Highest Mark Since 1987.” [Austin American-Statesman, 8/19/11]
* June 2009 To June 2011: While The Percentage Change In U.S. Unemployment Showed A 3% Decline, The Percentage Change In Texas Unemployment Showed A 6% Increase. [data.bls.gov, 8/17/2011]
REALITY: UNDER PERRY, TEXAS HAD THE HIGHEST RATE OF ANY STATE OF PEOPLE WITHOUT INSURANCE
2009: Texas Had The Highest Percentage Of People Without Health Insurance Of Any State In America, At 26%. [Kaiser Foundation, State Health Facts – 2009, accessed 8/31/11]
* 2009: Texas Had 6.2 Million Uninsured People. [Kaiser Foundation, State Health Facts – 2009, accessed, 8/31/11]
Under Perry, 2000 – 2009: The Percentage Of Texans Without Health Insurance Increased From 22.4% To 26.1%. [State Health Access Data Assistance Center, Current Population Survey Data – 2000 and 2009, accessed 8/31/11]
REALITY: TEXAS HAS 1.3 MILLION UNINSURED CHILDREN
2009: Texas Tied For The Highest Percentage Of Children Without Health Insurance Of Any State In America. [Kaiser Foundation, State Health Facts – 2009, accessed 8/31/11]
* 2009: Texas Had 1.3 Million Uninsured Children. [Kaiser Foundation, Texas State Profile, accessed, 8/31/11]
REALITY: TEXANS DO NOT HAVE ADEQUATE ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE
2009: Texas Ranked 43rd Among States For Rate Of Physicians (Per 100,000 Population). [State Rankings, CQ, 8/11/11]
2009: Texas Ranked 44th Among States For Rate Of Registered Nurses (Per 100,000 Population). [State Rankings, CQ, 8/11/11]
2009: Texas Ranked 45th Among States For Rate Of Dentists (Per 100,000 Population). [State Rankings, CQ, 8/11/11]
Friday, August 5, 2011
The Moral Test of Government
"...the moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; those who are in the shadows of life; the sick, the needy and the handicapped. "
Last Speech of Hubert H. Humphrey
November 1, 1977
Washington, D.C.
Last Speech of Hubert H. Humphrey
November 1, 1977
Washington, D.C.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Go check out True blue Party -info highway on FB
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Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Congress speaks on the Deficit
“The division is apparent in congress.
Republican agenda:
Keep the tax cuts for the1% wealthy-Warren Buffets of the world, no control upon the abuse of the insurance companies.
Democrat agenda:
Preserve and protect so called “entitlement programs” - life line programs and put controls upon the abuses of the Insurance companies. These are the issues that are on the table in congress today.
The deficit crisis came about because of unpaid wars, cut on the wealthiest, and deregulation of Wall Street.
It is immoral what the Republicans are trying to do. They want to eliminate the deficit brought about by the Bush Administration by cutting programs that have been put in place as lifelines for all American Citizens.
Republicans hope to win the election by placing their deficit around Obama’s neck like an albatross, and then blaming him for the deficit and wanting to cut entitlement programs as their resolve. Republicans stand there with straight sincere faces screaming, "It is Obama’s failed policies that have brought this crisis upon our country." They use excuses like stimulus package, and government take over of our Health Care. The spending on the Health Care bill has not even gone into effect yet, but Republicans are blaming it. They simply ignore the CBO analysis of the Health Care Bill and how it will bring down our deficit.
Beware of Republican rhetoric:
“ Democrats are trying to raise taxes on the small businesses,” “The spending on government take over of Health Care is the cause of our crisis,” “Obama’ failed Policies,” and” “We’ve got to do something about the sense of entitlement,” this kind of rhetoric is just not true. Obama administration along with the Democrat congress lowered taxes for the small businesses. Entitlement programs as they call it were there while Clinton was in office. We have the record of Clinton's administration, which brought us out of a deficit and we had a stable economy. Republican leaders want to cut something they have no knowledge of.
Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security are up on the table in congress because Speaker of the house demands this. The Speaker of the house‘s role is very important. Congress comes out today to tell us it has come down to, “Wealthiest vs Most Vulnerable”, and Corporations vs American citizens. They say both sides must sacrifice. It will be painful. I disagree. If we compromise our most vulnerable in order to get the wealthiest corporations to pay their fair share and we fail to take away the Bush tax cuts to the wealthiest the only people who will feel the pain and suffering is the Elderly, poor, working class, disabled, and our children. What is painful is turning on my Television and having to listen to the Republican leaders speaking on this issue and act like they are doing something positive for the American people.
Every citizen has a moral obligation to get out the vote, to change leadership in our house, which directs what is up on the table. ” ~True Blue Party
Republican agenda:
Keep the tax cuts for the1% wealthy-Warren Buffets of the world, no control upon the abuse of the insurance companies.
Democrat agenda:
Preserve and protect so called “entitlement programs” - life line programs and put controls upon the abuses of the Insurance companies. These are the issues that are on the table in congress today.
The deficit crisis came about because of unpaid wars, cut on the wealthiest, and deregulation of Wall Street.
It is immoral what the Republicans are trying to do. They want to eliminate the deficit brought about by the Bush Administration by cutting programs that have been put in place as lifelines for all American Citizens.
Republicans hope to win the election by placing their deficit around Obama’s neck like an albatross, and then blaming him for the deficit and wanting to cut entitlement programs as their resolve. Republicans stand there with straight sincere faces screaming, "It is Obama’s failed policies that have brought this crisis upon our country." They use excuses like stimulus package, and government take over of our Health Care. The spending on the Health Care bill has not even gone into effect yet, but Republicans are blaming it. They simply ignore the CBO analysis of the Health Care Bill and how it will bring down our deficit.
Beware of Republican rhetoric:
“ Democrats are trying to raise taxes on the small businesses,” “The spending on government take over of Health Care is the cause of our crisis,” “Obama’ failed Policies,” and” “We’ve got to do something about the sense of entitlement,” this kind of rhetoric is just not true. Obama administration along with the Democrat congress lowered taxes for the small businesses. Entitlement programs as they call it were there while Clinton was in office. We have the record of Clinton's administration, which brought us out of a deficit and we had a stable economy. Republican leaders want to cut something they have no knowledge of.
Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security are up on the table in congress because Speaker of the house demands this. The Speaker of the house‘s role is very important. Congress comes out today to tell us it has come down to, “Wealthiest vs Most Vulnerable”, and Corporations vs American citizens. They say both sides must sacrifice. It will be painful. I disagree. If we compromise our most vulnerable in order to get the wealthiest corporations to pay their fair share and we fail to take away the Bush tax cuts to the wealthiest the only people who will feel the pain and suffering is the Elderly, poor, working class, disabled, and our children. What is painful is turning on my Television and having to listen to the Republican leaders speaking on this issue and act like they are doing something positive for the American people.
Every citizen has a moral obligation to get out the vote, to change leadership in our house, which directs what is up on the table. ” ~True Blue Party
Sunday, July 10, 2011
The Economy
The causes of the deep recession and struggles of middle class families were many years in the making, and they won’t be solved overnight.
In the last sixteen months, we’ve added over 2.2 million private sector jobs, thanks, in part, to the steps we have taken to break the momentum of the recession. But we all know faster growth is needed to replace the jobs lost in the downturn and put the millions of Americans who are looking for jobs back to work.
· The President is pursuing an array of additional measures to accelerate that growth, including steps to expand American exports, boost manufacturing, ease the process of bringing new products to market and spur public-private partnerships to rebuild Americas infrastructure.
But there is no doubt that one, large brick on growth is the size of the federal debt, and questions about whether we, as a nation, can act responsibly to deal with it and make our future more secure.
· That’s why the President is working to bring Republicans and Democrats in Congress behind a comprehensive effort to get our deficits and debt under control so that our economy is on stronger footing and businesses have the confidence to invest and create jobs.
· President Obama believes in a balanced approach to deficit reduction – one where everyone does their part to restore fiscal responsibility and forces Washington to live within its means just like families are doing across the country.
· Balance requires shared sacrifice – through cutting spending in domestic and defense programs, tackling rising costs in Medicare and Medicaid, and ending special tax breaks and loopholes for the wealthiest Americans and corporate interests.
· We can reduce our deficits while making the investments needed to create good jobs and grow our economy – investments in job-creating areas like education, infrastructure, clean energy and cutting-edge research and technology.
· As we deal with these issues, we also have a responsibility to shore up Medicare and Social Security. With our aging population, a failure to act would jeopardize the hard-earned benefits so central to the security of future retirees.
· The Republican budget plan would end Medicare as we know it, making seniors pay an extra $6,000 for their health care, just so millionaires and billionaires can get another $200,000 tax cut.
· But the President refuses to balance our budgets on the backs of those who can least afford it. That doesn’t make sense, and it’s not who we are as a country.
· Social Security and Medicare are sacred promises based on the idea that we are a people who look out for one another. We believe in basic measures of security and dignity for all of us.
· And to make sure those programs are around for future generations, President Obama believes that both parties should work together now to strengthen them – not end them.
· Reducing our deficit will require balanced solutions and tough decisions. But that’s why he ran for President – to tackle the tough problems that have held us back for so long.
· That’s how we’ll build an America where we live within our means, live up to our fundamental sense of decency and regard for one another, and create new jobs and opportunity for all who work for it.
In the last sixteen months, we’ve added over 2.2 million private sector jobs, thanks, in part, to the steps we have taken to break the momentum of the recession. But we all know faster growth is needed to replace the jobs lost in the downturn and put the millions of Americans who are looking for jobs back to work.
· The President is pursuing an array of additional measures to accelerate that growth, including steps to expand American exports, boost manufacturing, ease the process of bringing new products to market and spur public-private partnerships to rebuild Americas infrastructure.
But there is no doubt that one, large brick on growth is the size of the federal debt, and questions about whether we, as a nation, can act responsibly to deal with it and make our future more secure.
· That’s why the President is working to bring Republicans and Democrats in Congress behind a comprehensive effort to get our deficits and debt under control so that our economy is on stronger footing and businesses have the confidence to invest and create jobs.
· President Obama believes in a balanced approach to deficit reduction – one where everyone does their part to restore fiscal responsibility and forces Washington to live within its means just like families are doing across the country.
· Balance requires shared sacrifice – through cutting spending in domestic and defense programs, tackling rising costs in Medicare and Medicaid, and ending special tax breaks and loopholes for the wealthiest Americans and corporate interests.
· We can reduce our deficits while making the investments needed to create good jobs and grow our economy – investments in job-creating areas like education, infrastructure, clean energy and cutting-edge research and technology.
· As we deal with these issues, we also have a responsibility to shore up Medicare and Social Security. With our aging population, a failure to act would jeopardize the hard-earned benefits so central to the security of future retirees.
· The Republican budget plan would end Medicare as we know it, making seniors pay an extra $6,000 for their health care, just so millionaires and billionaires can get another $200,000 tax cut.
· But the President refuses to balance our budgets on the backs of those who can least afford it. That doesn’t make sense, and it’s not who we are as a country.
· Social Security and Medicare are sacred promises based on the idea that we are a people who look out for one another. We believe in basic measures of security and dignity for all of us.
· And to make sure those programs are around for future generations, President Obama believes that both parties should work together now to strengthen them – not end them.
· Reducing our deficit will require balanced solutions and tough decisions. But that’s why he ran for President – to tackle the tough problems that have held us back for so long.
· That’s how we’ll build an America where we live within our means, live up to our fundamental sense of decency and regard for one another, and create new jobs and opportunity for all who work for it.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Exon does it again! OIL SPILL!
Oil Spill in Yellowstone! Contributor "EXON" Is drilling safe proof? What are the ramification of oil spills?
Sunday, June 26, 2011
If nobody wants to listen to me maybe you will listen to this little girl when she speaks about the enviroment
Our environment we take for granted. Listen to this young girl 13 years old. When will certain members of congress stop and listen? You should know who isn't listening, it's the ones who vote against policies that would help our air, water , lands , ocean, marine life, and wild life.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Why do people believe as they do? Wild fires are in Texas and many Texans want to blame Obama instead of their Govenor Rick Perry
In contemplating this, I wondered, Why do conservatives continue to believe lies when they make no sense. Then I saw this quote: "How many lies can you allow yourself to believe, before you belong to the lie?" –Mort Sahl"
I was frustrated to say the least today. I was on FB today and I noticed a friend of mine posting a link about "Texas wild fires." She added this to the top "Call Washington and ask why is it they will not help Texas fight Forest Fires? To be President is to serve regardless of political affiliation and differences." If you came across this post with out any knowledge about the subject you might agree with this statement. If you made a judgment based on this one statement and jumped in the "yell at Obama for not doing anything about this horrible situation with the fires" wagon, you might be guilty of believing a lie. I came along reading this post and decided to straighten out this misrepresentation. I first stated that Republican Governor Rick Perry from Texas was offered money, but did not agree to pay it back. Then I decided to post a link which I felt was unbiased. The poster chose not to look at the link. They had an opportunity to educate them selves on the subject but chose not to so. Many people have missed opportunities to grow. Truth can be handed to them yet they refuse to look. I could not understand this persons rationality, as they have been an out spoken Environment advocate. Yet, they sat at their computer further typing Obama hate words.They actually spit on the man who has supported their cause. Why? They believe the lie. They further attacked me for having a personal cause, and posting propaganda. This again made no sense. I do stand for a cause. They are partly right, but the cause I stand for is not personal it is a cause for all people. Martin Luther King once said "I Have A Dream" Gandhi too had a dream, Jesus had a dream. The Dream that all people can live in harmony with each other. The dream that no one will be judged or hated based upon the color of their skin, religion, gender, or sexual orientation. That all people have the same opportunities to live a full and happy life, that with in that life they can find justice. That no person should go to bed hungry. That our fellow man should have a safe place to rest his head.That all people should never worry about how they are going to pay for their Health care or worry if they can even get treated, then worry if they can afford the medicine.That human life is valued. We do not kill because of our differences. I too have this Dream. These ideas are not mine they have always been with us. I only hope that what ever I do will contribute to this Dream. Why do people think how they do. ""How many lies can you allow yourself to believe, before you belong to the lie?" –Mort Sahl"
If someone tells you to do something that detours you from the Dream, then you know it is a lie. Always seek for truth and when you find it , it will feel good! It will be good to all man kind.
I was frustrated to say the least today. I was on FB today and I noticed a friend of mine posting a link about "Texas wild fires." She added this to the top "Call Washington and ask why is it they will not help Texas fight Forest Fires? To be President is to serve regardless of political affiliation and differences." If you came across this post with out any knowledge about the subject you might agree with this statement. If you made a judgment based on this one statement and jumped in the "yell at Obama for not doing anything about this horrible situation with the fires" wagon, you might be guilty of believing a lie. I came along reading this post and decided to straighten out this misrepresentation. I first stated that Republican Governor Rick Perry from Texas was offered money, but did not agree to pay it back. Then I decided to post a link which I felt was unbiased. The poster chose not to look at the link. They had an opportunity to educate them selves on the subject but chose not to so. Many people have missed opportunities to grow. Truth can be handed to them yet they refuse to look. I could not understand this persons rationality, as they have been an out spoken Environment advocate. Yet, they sat at their computer further typing Obama hate words.They actually spit on the man who has supported their cause. Why? They believe the lie. They further attacked me for having a personal cause, and posting propaganda. This again made no sense. I do stand for a cause. They are partly right, but the cause I stand for is not personal it is a cause for all people. Martin Luther King once said "I Have A Dream" Gandhi too had a dream, Jesus had a dream. The Dream that all people can live in harmony with each other. The dream that no one will be judged or hated based upon the color of their skin, religion, gender, or sexual orientation. That all people have the same opportunities to live a full and happy life, that with in that life they can find justice. That no person should go to bed hungry. That our fellow man should have a safe place to rest his head.That all people should never worry about how they are going to pay for their Health care or worry if they can even get treated, then worry if they can afford the medicine.That human life is valued. We do not kill because of our differences. I too have this Dream. These ideas are not mine they have always been with us. I only hope that what ever I do will contribute to this Dream. Why do people think how they do. ""How many lies can you allow yourself to believe, before you belong to the lie?" –Mort Sahl"
If someone tells you to do something that detours you from the Dream, then you know it is a lie. Always seek for truth and when you find it , it will feel good! It will be good to all man kind.
Take a look at what Obama did to help the environment in his first 100 days
Obama's work in helping our environment go green in his first 100 days, and this was just the beginning. I find it ironic that any person who claims they are Green would speak out against Obama.It happens though every day. My Texas friend is an avid environmentalist, yet talks against the very party and President that supports the issues she holds dear. Isn't it IRONIC? Don't you think?
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Pink speaks to President Bush in a song!
Dear Mr. President Today I would change Mr.President , to Dear "Fellow Americans", because they are the ones who can bring the change by voting for congress leaders who will remember the above things mentioned in this song, and you will most likely find that leader among the Party of the Democrats.. Stop the insanity, Vote Democrat!
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Obama's Promises Kept!
Obama's Promises Kept there are 7 pages of promises Kept by Obama, and one I remember was that he would not be afraid to get Osama bin Laden where he lives! Not bad for his first Term!!!Imagine what he could have done with support. Support Obama Now! Vote Obama 2012! He has kept more promises than anyone I know!
Friday, June 10, 2011
Health care Point by Point: What don't you like about it?
Before you say you are against Obama Care why dont' you check out the short version....you may just like it... Hopefully
Friday, June 3, 2011
What the new Health care Law does for you!
All I can say is thank you Obama, and the leaders in congress who cared more about you the people than some of the people cared about themselves or others. Learn about the benefits of the NEW HEALTH CARE Bill and what it means to you, and quite your whining...just be glad some ones in congress watching out for your interest and quit listening to people who give you no facts on the subject and even lied to you! We can even make it better! Vote for those who vote for you...Looks like it was a Democrat again!
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Why I am a Liberal ?
I asked some liberal friends who are members of TBP, why they are a Liberals? Here is what they said:
Kevin Sullivan:
"I'm a liberal because I hate slavery and I loathe LIES and LIARS. That's ALL conservatives have EVER engineered.This IS a Liberal country, STARTING with George Washington, "As Mankind becomes more liberal, they will be more apt to allow that all those who conduct themselves as worthy members of the community are equally entitled to the protections of... civil government. I hope ever to see America among the foremost nations of justice and liberality.”
And THAT we were, and successful by any measure in the wake of LIberalism finest era The New Deal. That is until the powell memo commenced the conservative reign of terror that has pressed its malevelence for many years till this moment in time. The moment when they would begin to pull the trigger on SHOCK DOCTINE."
"Against the assault of laughter, nothing can stand."
— Mark Twain"
Michelle Vidal:
"I am a liberal. I believe in helping my fellow man who cannot help themselves. Even if it is viewed as a "will not" because some people "will not" because they know not how. I am a liberal because I believe in an energy that connects us all... allowing for free will and free thought. It is in others experience we rise to greater truths of who we are and what we are capable of. I believe in the words Liberty and Justice for all, not one man, woman, child should suffer at the hands of the inhumane. We have equal rights across the board. I believe in a government that should support our individuality and should be protecting us from micro-managing our lives."
Sherry Lynn Morrison :
"I'm a liberal because I've met too many people along my travels who are conservatives that have said more than once to me whenever we talk politics, "What has the government done for me?" All they cared about was how some bill or... law would affect them personally and how it would affect their pocketbook. Plain and simple. Never once have I heard them make any comment on how it would help society as a whole. In addition, I find that they lack compassion and understanding for their fellow man. They just don't care. That is why I'm a liberal. "
Brook Ellis:
"People are deeply flawed, but we have abilities that separate us from every other creature on this planet. That gift allows us to think outside of ourselves, if we choose to do it. I think the mix of different views and cultures make this country special; something new. I believe it's America for everyone, not just those who somehow think, due to the luck of birth, that they are entitled to it, more than other Americans. I think words like empathy, altruism, education, progress are not slurs. Let people get married to whomever--like it even matters. I believe in environmental responsibility, civil liberty and justice for all. That's just of the top of my head, but those are some reasons why I cant be a Republican or Conservative or whatever they are trying to call it now."
Mark Steven Szkoda:
" I am a liberal because what else could I be ? I have children and have to look at them every day, I have employees and have to face them and most importantly I cannot avoid myself in the mirror while shaving"
Kim Moore:
"I am liberal because of what the people before me wrote-caring people of integrity. Nobody is more important than any other person on this planet-regardless of birthright,earning ability,who you sleep with,etc. Physical looks,athletic ability, or power don't make you "special". My Parents were brought up to respect all,and so was I,and I have tried to share that concept amongst people whose path I cross. I have preached that minorities be proud of their differences,and that was before I realized I was a minority.So obviously I stick up for the little guy,or the guy that has no voice,or the person whose lifestyle many people judge and don't respect. America of all places should be a beacon of enlightenment and forward thinking. Everybody has problems,and it takes all of our effort's to make everybody's life a little easier. Life is not easy. I think a liberal point of view tries to help the common person,and to make this world a healthier,prettier, and safer place to live."
Johnny Cash
In the comments let us know why you are a Liberal!
Kevin Sullivan:
"I'm a liberal because I hate slavery and I loathe LIES and LIARS. That's ALL conservatives have EVER engineered.This IS a Liberal country, STARTING with George Washington, "As Mankind becomes more liberal, they will be more apt to allow that all those who conduct themselves as worthy members of the community are equally entitled to the protections of... civil government. I hope ever to see America among the foremost nations of justice and liberality.”
And THAT we were, and successful by any measure in the wake of LIberalism finest era The New Deal. That is until the powell memo commenced the conservative reign of terror that has pressed its malevelence for many years till this moment in time. The moment when they would begin to pull the trigger on SHOCK DOCTINE."
"Against the assault of laughter, nothing can stand."
— Mark Twain"
Michelle Vidal:
"I am a liberal. I believe in helping my fellow man who cannot help themselves. Even if it is viewed as a "will not" because some people "will not" because they know not how. I am a liberal because I believe in an energy that connects us all... allowing for free will and free thought. It is in others experience we rise to greater truths of who we are and what we are capable of. I believe in the words Liberty and Justice for all, not one man, woman, child should suffer at the hands of the inhumane. We have equal rights across the board. I believe in a government that should support our individuality and should be protecting us from micro-managing our lives."
Sherry Lynn Morrison :
"I'm a liberal because I've met too many people along my travels who are conservatives that have said more than once to me whenever we talk politics, "What has the government done for me?" All they cared about was how some bill or... law would affect them personally and how it would affect their pocketbook. Plain and simple. Never once have I heard them make any comment on how it would help society as a whole. In addition, I find that they lack compassion and understanding for their fellow man. They just don't care. That is why I'm a liberal. "
Brook Ellis:
"People are deeply flawed, but we have abilities that separate us from every other creature on this planet. That gift allows us to think outside of ourselves, if we choose to do it. I think the mix of different views and cultures make this country special; something new. I believe it's America for everyone, not just those who somehow think, due to the luck of birth, that they are entitled to it, more than other Americans. I think words like empathy, altruism, education, progress are not slurs. Let people get married to whomever--like it even matters. I believe in environmental responsibility, civil liberty and justice for all. That's just of the top of my head, but those are some reasons why I cant be a Republican or Conservative or whatever they are trying to call it now."
Mark Steven Szkoda:
" I am a liberal because what else could I be ? I have children and have to look at them every day, I have employees and have to face them and most importantly I cannot avoid myself in the mirror while shaving"
Kim Moore:
"I am liberal because of what the people before me wrote-caring people of integrity. Nobody is more important than any other person on this planet-regardless of birthright,earning ability,who you sleep with,etc. Physical looks,athletic ability, or power don't make you "special". My Parents were brought up to respect all,and so was I,and I have tried to share that concept amongst people whose path I cross. I have preached that minorities be proud of their differences,and that was before I realized I was a minority.So obviously I stick up for the little guy,or the guy that has no voice,or the person whose lifestyle many people judge and don't respect. America of all places should be a beacon of enlightenment and forward thinking. Everybody has problems,and it takes all of our effort's to make everybody's life a little easier. Life is not easy. I think a liberal point of view tries to help the common person,and to make this world a healthier,prettier, and safer place to live."
Johnny Cash
In the comments let us know why you are a Liberal!
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Utah County Democrats have a new leader
Will Matheson is Utah counties new chair. I do hope he will be speaking out more and not telling people not to talk about Obama and the Health Care. I also hope he does not go around asking Republicans to run! Let's hear it for the new chair. Will keep Utah Democrats Up dated.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Bushes UNGODLYTorture regime did not bring down the Fall of Osama Bin Laden, Obama's abolishment of it did !
I have always been against torture of another human being. I believe it is against the word of god and humanity! Once it was abolished by a leader named Barrack (which means blessed by god) Obama , who came and followed those words of god,along with his sense of good leadership was able to bring about the fall of Osama Bin Laden. Torture did not bring about this
I will say it again Torture did not work
If Arizona Republican McCain states this will you believe it?
There he said it!
I will say it again Torture did not work
If Arizona Republican McCain states this will you believe it?
There he said it!
OBAMA FOUND TO BE THE MOST EFFECTIVE PRESIDENT EVER!
I saw a link with Mitt Romney claiming president Obama was not effective. Mitt have you not looked at his record? Obama has been the most effective President ever!
Most effective communicator!
Effective Military Leader
Effective commander-in-chief of the armed forces of the United States.
Effective in keeping his eye in the ball, and making sure the job gets done
Most effective communicator!
Effective Military Leader
Effective commander-in-chief of the armed forces of the United States.
Effective in keeping his eye in the ball, and making sure the job gets done
TRUE BLUE PARTY: OBAMA! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR ME LATELY?
TRUE BLUE PARTY: OBAMA! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR ME LATELY?: "I would say President Obama has been hard at work doing a lot for the American people, and for many who show no gratitude. Come take a look:..."
TRUE BLUE PARTY: Joe Republican
TRUE BLUE PARTY: Joe Republican: "A friend of mine posted this in a group I am in, and I thought it was good, and definitely hit home! Vote for those who vote for you! A Day..."
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Memorial Day Weekend
Happy Memorial Day weekend..may we not forget all those who fought and died for our freedoms.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Does government funds go to pay for abortions?
Republicans want to block $70 million Planned Parenthood receives each year under Title X, a program implemented under Republican President Richard Nixon in 1970 to provide contraceptives, cancer screenings, and pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease testing at community health centers across the country. And they want to cut off $293 million the clinics receive through Medicare.
Conservative lawmakers say the money indirectly subsidizes abortions, despite the fact that the federal Hyde Amendment expressly prohibits such use of taxpayer funds.
Another reliable resource on this topic is Fact Check
Does government funds go to pay for abortions?The answer is NO!
Conservative lawmakers say the money indirectly subsidizes abortions, despite the fact that the federal Hyde Amendment expressly prohibits such use of taxpayer funds.
Another reliable resource on this topic is Fact Check
Does government funds go to pay for abortions?The answer is NO!
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