General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsSenator Bernie Sanders: "We cannot balance the budget on backs of people who have virtually nothing"
For a Budget That Is Both Morally and Economically Sound
by Senator Bernie Sanders
...........................
Where do we go from here? How do we now draft a federal budget which creates jobs, makes our country more productive, protects working families and lowers the deficit?
For a start, we have to understand that, from both a moral and economic perspective, we cannot impose more austerity on the people of our country who are already suffering. The time is now for the wealthy and multi-national corporations who are doing phenomenally well to help us rebuild America and lower our deficit.
At a time when the richest 1 percent own 38 percent of the financial wealth of America, while the bottom 60 percent own a mere 2.3 percent -- we cannot balance the budget on the backs of people who have virtually nothing. When 95 percent of all new income during 2009 through 2012 went to the top 1 percent, while tens of millions of working Americans saw a decline in their income, we cannot cut programs that these workers depend upon.
Instead of talking about cuts in Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, we must end the absurdity of one out of four corporations in America not paying a nickel in federal income taxes. At a time when multi-national corporations and the wealthy are avoiding more than $100 billion a year in taxes by stashing money in tax havens like the Cayman Islands and Bermuda, we need to make them pay taxes just like middle-class Americans. The truth of the matter is that according to the most recent information available profitable corporations are only paying 13 percent of their income in federal taxes which is near a 40-year low.
the rest:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/10/28/1251355/-For-a-Budget-That-Is-Both-Morally-and-Economically-Sound
Uncle Joe
(58,366 posts)Thanks for the thread, kpete.
DeSwiss
(27,137 posts)erronis
(15,303 posts)Whenever I see some of his words in print/web, I can absolutely hear his gravelly voice come through - Brooklyn and Vermont (my state). While there have been a few other honester-than-abe politicians, this one appears to be the real thing.
Proudly, a new Bernie Vermonter.
dchill
(38,505 posts)Two things the Right reviles.
on point
(2,506 posts)Tigress DEM
(7,887 posts)BlueJazz
(25,348 posts)...middle class CAN NOT help the debt. (much)
We are just about at the breaking point. Too many of us are broke or on our way to being broke.
Don't you understand?? We can't help you.
You've almost bled us dry.
You could cut EVERY SINGLE SOCIAL PROGRAM COMPLETELY....it still would not make hardly a dent.
If you, the rich, don't pay it....we're fucked and so are you.
Did you really think that this day would be put off forever ??
MissDeeds
(7,499 posts)K&R
Spitfire of ATJ
(32,723 posts)Their version of Jesus HATES welfare and will hate America if it's paying for old people to not work.
So sayeth the cluster of Depends wearing 70+ year old senators with Platinum health care and who chat amongst themselves about what brand of hair dye is best.
KansDem
(28,498 posts)Brigid
(17,621 posts)Bernie gets that.
blue-wave
(4,356 posts)is one of my hero's in congress and a true American patriot in the very best sense.
freshwest
(53,661 posts)It's their plan to balance the budget, without so many people, just as forcing all women home no matter what happens, is their solution to jobs..
Eliminate the rhetoric and this s what they are advocating, from Rush to Beck to Jones and the Pauls. Some people are not worthy to speak, to live their own lives, and in the end, to not live.
And their anti-education, pro-life crap is also great for making a desperate working class to be discarded sooner.
They are determined to finish drowning the baby in the bathtub Nordquist style. Then they'll never have to pay taxes or wages again which is a win-win for them.
Sanders acts like he's talking to poeple who have morals, want to have government exist, and don't spend their days fantasizing about how to make those who can't pay, shuffle off this mortal coil and out of their exalted way. Wake up and smell the death.
You can't have a policy discussion with a Dire Wolf. I hope some Americans are going to listen to the Senator.
AnotherMcIntosh
(11,064 posts)That way more jobs will be shipped to foreign countries, the trickle-down theory will work as it never has before, and the people who have virtually nothing will then have more than what they need.
/sarcasm off
rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)RainDog
(28,784 posts)Dustlawyer
(10,495 posts)NorthCarolina
(11,197 posts)liberal_at_heart
(12,081 posts)fasttense
(17,301 posts)I think the "Christian" right wants to change that to give only me my daily bread and let all the poor starve.
raouldukelives
(5,178 posts)It's not even up for debate. In the face of all the calamities being wrought upon ourselves, our rights, our neighbors and our natural world by them, the only question seems to be "How can I share in it?".
I guess at a certain point you either accept they control it all and start a bi-weekly donation fund to their ends in the hopes of getting some portion of the proceeds before its all gone or you banish yourself to a lonely life of fighting for the least and putting your money where your mouth is.
beerandjesus
(1,301 posts)Just sayin'.
I love Bernie
indepat
(20,899 posts)Oh, you say, corporations get all the perks of being people, but virtually none of the onerous responsibilities? How fucking convenient and oh so special, eh, felonious ones?
indepat
(20,899 posts)having little or nothing, all the while the uber-wealthy and large corporations continue to slop and feast at the public teat.
Blue Owl
(50,427 posts)stage left
(2,962 posts)I Bernie.
Initech
(100,081 posts)What is wrong with that picture?
Egalitarian Thug
(12,448 posts)That leaves only one factor unaccounted for in the equation.
& R
Roarybeans
(48 posts)I'm in my mid-60's and on a fixed income. I use to think the story about elders eating cat food or taking their Meds was an exaggeration, but it's not! My fall from the middle class was swift and painful. It's scary out here and I don't see any help coming from anywhere. Never thought I'd experence such a bleak future in America.
socialist_n_TN
(11,481 posts)That fall from the middle class awaits all of us. At least those who haven't ALREADY fallen. It's called capitalism Check out workerspower.net.
Laelth
(32,017 posts)-Laelth
allan01
(1,950 posts)always on the backs of the poor , never the rich or the military establisment.
JimboBillyBubbaBob
(1,389 posts)...can for a people speak. Keep it real Bernie.