WASHINGTON, DC— In this week’s address, President Obama said that Republicans in the House of Representatives chose to shut down the government over a health care law they don’t like. He urged the Congress to pass a budget that funds our government, with no partisan strings attached. The President made clear he will work with anyone of either party on ways to grow this economy, create new jobs, and get our fiscal house in order for the long haul – but not under the shadow of these threats to our economy.
Showing posts with label fiscal cliff. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fiscal cliff. Show all posts
Saturday, October 5, 2013
Friday, January 4, 2013
This Deal Was Done Wrong
The following is from Congressman Rush Holt's newsletter:
As Congress lurches from self-imposed crisis to self-imposed crisis – most recently in the debacle regarding the fiscal cliff – it is easy to understand why members of the public shake their heads in disgust at the inability of the government to do the important work of America to help Americans.
Of course, for long-term economic stability and growth, we must have greater balance between revenue and expenditures. That means Congress should pay close attention day to day, month to month, to revenue and to spending and should bring them more into line. That should always be true, though, not just whenever someone invokes a crisis.
And say what you will, there was no good reason for a crisis at the end of 2012. The “cliff” deadline was artificial, the result of a deal agreed to in August 2011 when some Congressional members who dislike government tried to prevent the U.S. from paying our bills, and the White House and Congressional leaders allowed them to hold the government hostage and then to impose automatic spending cuts and tax increases in the most thoughtless, ham-handed way.
As I see it, the big problem with the fiscal package that Congress passed earlier this week is that it was debated and negotiated on the terms set by the hostage-takers in 2011. The negotiators came up with a solution, barely acceptable, but it was a solution to the wrong problem. Instead of talking about what our government needs to do put people to work; to reduce unemployment; to educate Americans; to rebuild our roads and bridges; to stimulate vibrant and innovative industry; to tend to the nourishment, the housing, the cultural well-being of all Americans – and then doing those things – Congress and Administration spent several months neglecting all the important work in front of us. Instead they focused on such things as whether the marginal tax rate should be 36 percent or 39.6 percent for income earned above $250,000 or $450,000. The sad irony is that meeting the needs of Americans and doing things to bring about growth would do more to remove the debt problem and to make the U.S. the kind of country we can be proud of than all the tinkering with marginal tax rates.
This deal was done wrong. The postponed crisis will reappear with the debt crisis and sequestration and tax increases in March, and the President will be in a weaker, not stronger, position to deal with the crisis then.
However, it seemed to me that if the deal failed to get the approval of Congress, we would not get back to what we should be doing. Because I did not want to make the situation worse by weakening the President's hand and weakening the economy by allowing the government, so to speak, to fall off the cliff, I voted with great reluctance in favor of the McConnell-Biden deal, and Congress passed it earlier this week.
Nine Weeks of Inaction
It has now been about nine weeks since Hurricane Sandy brought winds and tidal surges. In Central New Jersey, in Connecticut, in New York, people are hurting. Towns have exhausted their emergency funds and exhausted their borrowing capacity.
In other disasters, such as the disaster associated with Katrina or with wildfires or with any number of other natural disasters, Congress has acted, and aid has been provided quickly. And yet earlier this week, the 112th Congress adjourned before passing a much-needed disaster relief package. The Senate had already acted to pass a well-constructed aid package bill. The only reason that this bill is not law today is that House leadership refused to act.
There is, at least, a light at the end of the tunnel. The Speaker allowed a small flod insurance bill to pass on Friday, to be supplemented by a larger aid package in the weeks ahead. Yet the supplemental bill must now go through the Senate, which won't bring it up until after January 21 – and the same radicals in the House who refused to allow the earlier Senate package to come to a vote may yet rebel against the new deal.
This delay has gone on too long already. To say “you’re on your own” to victims of a natural disaster breaks our trust, and it hurts people.
The Oath of Office
On Thursday morning, I was honored to take the oath of office as a member of the 113th Congress.
As is only too clear to anyone who has read this far in this message, the past few weeks – indeed, the past few years – have been a time of great challenges for America. So it is worth pausing to reflect on the oath that all members of Congress take at the beginning of a new Congress:
As Jim Leach, a former Republican Congressman and the current chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities, noted in remarks at my oath-of-office ceremony, it is notable that American legislators affirm their loyalty to the Constitution, a set of principles, not a person, and they mean it. Of course, other nations have constitutions, but I don't know of any that is the touchstone that ours is.
Most of the members of the U.S. House of Representatives took the oath of office on Thursday. Although our differences are stark, I am hopeful that our shared loyalty to the Constitution and to what it represents will be a point of commonality that brings us together in these trying times.
Sincerely,
Rush Holt
As Congress lurches from self-imposed crisis to self-imposed crisis – most recently in the debacle regarding the fiscal cliff – it is easy to understand why members of the public shake their heads in disgust at the inability of the government to do the important work of America to help Americans.
And say what you will, there was no good reason for a crisis at the end of 2012. The “cliff” deadline was artificial, the result of a deal agreed to in August 2011 when some Congressional members who dislike government tried to prevent the U.S. from paying our bills, and the White House and Congressional leaders allowed them to hold the government hostage and then to impose automatic spending cuts and tax increases in the most thoughtless, ham-handed way.
As I see it, the big problem with the fiscal package that Congress passed earlier this week is that it was debated and negotiated on the terms set by the hostage-takers in 2011. The negotiators came up with a solution, barely acceptable, but it was a solution to the wrong problem. Instead of talking about what our government needs to do put people to work; to reduce unemployment; to educate Americans; to rebuild our roads and bridges; to stimulate vibrant and innovative industry; to tend to the nourishment, the housing, the cultural well-being of all Americans – and then doing those things – Congress and Administration spent several months neglecting all the important work in front of us. Instead they focused on such things as whether the marginal tax rate should be 36 percent or 39.6 percent for income earned above $250,000 or $450,000. The sad irony is that meeting the needs of Americans and doing things to bring about growth would do more to remove the debt problem and to make the U.S. the kind of country we can be proud of than all the tinkering with marginal tax rates.
This deal was done wrong. The postponed crisis will reappear with the debt crisis and sequestration and tax increases in March, and the President will be in a weaker, not stronger, position to deal with the crisis then.
However, it seemed to me that if the deal failed to get the approval of Congress, we would not get back to what we should be doing. Because I did not want to make the situation worse by weakening the President's hand and weakening the economy by allowing the government, so to speak, to fall off the cliff, I voted with great reluctance in favor of the McConnell-Biden deal, and Congress passed it earlier this week.
Nine Weeks of Inaction
It has now been about nine weeks since Hurricane Sandy brought winds and tidal surges. In Central New Jersey, in Connecticut, in New York, people are hurting. Towns have exhausted their emergency funds and exhausted their borrowing capacity.
In other disasters, such as the disaster associated with Katrina or with wildfires or with any number of other natural disasters, Congress has acted, and aid has been provided quickly. And yet earlier this week, the 112th Congress adjourned before passing a much-needed disaster relief package. The Senate had already acted to pass a well-constructed aid package bill. The only reason that this bill is not law today is that House leadership refused to act.
There is, at least, a light at the end of the tunnel. The Speaker allowed a small flod insurance bill to pass on Friday, to be supplemented by a larger aid package in the weeks ahead. Yet the supplemental bill must now go through the Senate, which won't bring it up until after January 21 – and the same radicals in the House who refused to allow the earlier Senate package to come to a vote may yet rebel against the new deal.
This delay has gone on too long already. To say “you’re on your own” to victims of a natural disaster breaks our trust, and it hurts people.
The Oath of Office
On Thursday morning, I was honored to take the oath of office as a member of the 113th Congress.
As is only too clear to anyone who has read this far in this message, the past few weeks – indeed, the past few years – have been a time of great challenges for America. So it is worth pausing to reflect on the oath that all members of Congress take at the beginning of a new Congress:
“I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God.”
As Jim Leach, a former Republican Congressman and the current chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities, noted in remarks at my oath-of-office ceremony, it is notable that American legislators affirm their loyalty to the Constitution, a set of principles, not a person, and they mean it. Of course, other nations have constitutions, but I don't know of any that is the touchstone that ours is.
Most of the members of the U.S. House of Representatives took the oath of office on Thursday. Although our differences are stark, I am hopeful that our shared loyalty to the Constitution and to what it represents will be a point of commonality that brings us together in these trying times.
Sincerely,
Rush Holt
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
The Fiscal Cliff: Good Deal or Bad?
As they say, "you know you have a good deal when nobody is happy with it", and that is exactly what we have this morning with the passing of the fiscal cliff deal's winners and losers.
I'm glad that this nonsense with the fiscal cliff is over (for now) but am disappointed that more wasn't done to address revenues and spending cuts, which have been kicked down the road until the end of February as a result.
By backing off his campaign pledge to extend the Bush Tax cuts for only those making less than $250K a year and raising the limit to $400K for individuals ($450K for joint filers), President Obama made a huge concession that nearly cut in half the projected revenue that he campaigned on and the american people overwhelmingly supported. As for entitlement programs such as Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, I don't believe that they are adding to or driving the deficit, per say, as much as conservatives say they are. As in the past, these programs can be tweaked without much pain to ensure that they are solvent and are around for a very long time.
It is the recession that was brought on by unsustainable defense spending, driven by a military industrial complex and the chicken hawk members of congress, who wasted hundreds of billions of dollars fighting two, largely unpaid for wars in Iraq and Afghanistan for the past 10 years, that are the real culprit that has lead us to the (perceived) debt crisis of the past few years. Can you imagine where we would be at today if the war in Iraq never happened?
Now everyone will be looking towards March 1st and the big showdown that the President and Congress will have over spending and entitlement cuts and the raising of the debt ceiling.
I'm glad that this nonsense with the fiscal cliff is over (for now) but am disappointed that more wasn't done to address revenues and spending cuts, which have been kicked down the road until the end of February as a result.
By backing off his campaign pledge to extend the Bush Tax cuts for only those making less than $250K a year and raising the limit to $400K for individuals ($450K for joint filers), President Obama made a huge concession that nearly cut in half the projected revenue that he campaigned on and the american people overwhelmingly supported. As for entitlement programs such as Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, I don't believe that they are adding to or driving the deficit, per say, as much as conservatives say they are. As in the past, these programs can be tweaked without much pain to ensure that they are solvent and are around for a very long time.
It is the recession that was brought on by unsustainable defense spending, driven by a military industrial complex and the chicken hawk members of congress, who wasted hundreds of billions of dollars fighting two, largely unpaid for wars in Iraq and Afghanistan for the past 10 years, that are the real culprit that has lead us to the (perceived) debt crisis of the past few years. Can you imagine where we would be at today if the war in Iraq never happened?
Now everyone will be looking towards March 1st and the big showdown that the President and Congress will have over spending and entitlement cuts and the raising of the debt ceiling.
Saturday, December 29, 2012
President Obama's Weekly Address 12/29/12: Congress Must Protect the Middle Class from Income Tax Hike
President Obama urges Congress to meet its deadlines and responsibilities, protect the middle class from an income tax hike, and lay the groundwork for future progress on more economic growth and deficit reduction.
Saturday, December 22, 2012
More Than 80 Every Day
The following is from Congressman Rush Holt's newsletter:
Twenty elementary school children and six adults were murdered last week at a school in Newtown, Connecticut.Just a few months earlier, six Sikhs were murdered at their place of worship in Oak Creek, Wisconsin.
Just a few weeks before that, 12 moviegoers were murdered in Aurora, Colorado.
These unspeakable tragedies are just the tip of the iceberg. Each day, more than 80 people die by gunfire in homicides, suicides, and accidents.
We can’t just keep saying, “Our hearts ache for the victims and their families.” We have to bring gun violence under control.
In the aftermath of these horrific events, there are, as always, those who warn us against “politicizing” this tragedy by discussing gun safety. These claims are ideologically motivated, and they are profoundly wrong.
When, after a hurricane strikes, we advocate for funding to mitigate future floods, that is not “politicizing” a tragedy. When, after a terrorist attack, we advocate for better measures to prevent future deaths, that is not “politicizing” a tragedy. The notion that gun violence is somehow different, that it deserves unique immunity from serious conversation in our political dialogue, is nonsensical.
Policymakers have an obligation to respond to problems by finding solutions. The solution to gun violence is, in part, to address gun safety – as well as to address mental health care, school security, and more. Toward this end, I will soon introduce legislation to require handgun registration and to strengthen school safety, and I remain committed to improving mental health care throughout this country.
Bold, Persistent Experimentation
The artificial crisis known as the fiscal cliff remains, at this moment, unresolved. The President and Republican leadership continue to debate within the foolish framework set during last year’s debt ceiling showdown.
I remain ready to work in Washington to see that this artificial crisis is fixed. But simply fixing the fiscal cliff is not enough. Congress aims too low if it seeks only to resolve a crisis of its own making.
We must do far more. We must address unemployment, inequality, and America’s lack of a shared vision for renewing our nation’s greatness. As Franklin D. Roosevelt said in the depths of the Great Depression:
“The country needs and, unless I mistake its temper, the country demands bold, persistent experimentation. It is common sense to take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something…
“We need enthusiasm, imagination, and the ability to face facts, even unpleasant ones, bravely. We need to correct, by drastic means if necessary, the faults in our economic system from which we now suffer.”
Beginning the 113th Congress
On January 3, 2013, I will formally take the oath of office as a member of the 113th Congress, and you are invited to join.
The event will be held at 10:30 a.m. in the Montpelier Room on the sixth floor of the James Madison Building of the Library of Congress, 101 Independence Ave. SE, Washington, D.C. Lunch will be served after the program, and guided sightseeing tours of Capitol Hill attractions will follow.
For more information or to RSVP, please call (202) 225-5801.
Sincerely,
Rush Holt
Member of Congress
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
RUNYAN, SMITH & LOBIONDO FACED TOMORROW WITH 2 CONTRASTING TAX VOTES & A CLEAR CHOICE: WILL THEY STAND WITH MIDDLE-CLASS OR MILLIONAIRES?
(NEW JERSEY) – With taxes set to automatically increase by $2,200 for average American families on January 1st, patience for more political games and inaction by the Republican-controlled House of Representatives is at an end. SJ Citizens For Change today called on Congressmen Jon Runyan (NJ-3) Chris Smith (NJ-4) and Frank LoBiondo (NJ-2) to do the right thing for New Jersey by prioritizing the middle-class over millionaires.
Tomorrow, votes are expected to take place in the U.S. House on two contrasting tax bills: 1) a responsible bill already passed in the Senate that would immediately extend the Bush Tax Cuts only on incomes under $250,000 for a couple and $200,000 for an individual; and 2) the so-called “Plan B” bill put forward by Republican House leadership which would recklessly perpetuate tax cuts for the wealthiest few – and in fact would give millionaires an average $50,000 tax break - while at the same time raising taxes by an average of $1,000 on 25 million working families with children and students.
The irresponsibility of the Republican alternative doesn’t stop there. Compared to the Senate-passed middle-class tax cuts bill, “Plan B” would generate $400 billion less in high-income revenue to address our long-term budget challenges and for critical investments that create and sustain jobs. Congressmen Runyan, Smith and LoBiondo are strongly urged to vote YES on the Senate-passed middle class tax relief bill and NO on “Plan B” – which is nothing but a Trojan horse for more tax breaks for millionaires, while punishing the middle-class.
“By now, Congressmen Runyan, Smith and LoBiondo should know better and understand what their constituents really want,” said Eric Kipnis, volunteer organizer with The Action and Director of SJ Citizens For Change. “These Republican representatives know their party’s position of holding up middle-class tax relief in order to protect tax breaks for millionaires is wildly unpopular and the public will hold them responsible if Congress allows taxes to go up on every American family.”
“Congressmen Runyan, Smith and LoBiondo shouldn’t ring in the New Year by dropping the ball on middle-class tax relief,” said Joshua Henne, New Jersey spokesman for The Action. “Speaker Boehner’s ‘Plan B’ is not a serious alternative and flies in the face of the tax fairness the public is demanding. It’s no laughing matter for GOP leadership to obnoxiously propose a $50,000 tax break for millionaires while raising taxes on the middle-class.”
Come midnight on December 31st, GOP inaction will have serious consequences for New Jersey’s families and small businesses. Blame will fall squarely at the feet of Congressional Republicans if families across New Jersey have $2,200 less in their pockets and find themselves deciding between buying groceries or filling a prescription.
Congressmen Runyan, Smith and LoBiondo have a golden opportunity to avoid economic hardship for their constituents - and political fallout for themselves - by approving the Senate bill to immediately extend tax relief to 98% of the American people and 97% of small businesses.
Tomorrow, votes are expected to take place in the U.S. House on two contrasting tax bills: 1) a responsible bill already passed in the Senate that would immediately extend the Bush Tax Cuts only on incomes under $250,000 for a couple and $200,000 for an individual; and 2) the so-called “Plan B” bill put forward by Republican House leadership which would recklessly perpetuate tax cuts for the wealthiest few – and in fact would give millionaires an average $50,000 tax break - while at the same time raising taxes by an average of $1,000 on 25 million working families with children and students.
The irresponsibility of the Republican alternative doesn’t stop there. Compared to the Senate-passed middle-class tax cuts bill, “Plan B” would generate $400 billion less in high-income revenue to address our long-term budget challenges and for critical investments that create and sustain jobs. Congressmen Runyan, Smith and LoBiondo are strongly urged to vote YES on the Senate-passed middle class tax relief bill and NO on “Plan B” – which is nothing but a Trojan horse for more tax breaks for millionaires, while punishing the middle-class.
“By now, Congressmen Runyan, Smith and LoBiondo should know better and understand what their constituents really want,” said Eric Kipnis, volunteer organizer with The Action and Director of SJ Citizens For Change. “These Republican representatives know their party’s position of holding up middle-class tax relief in order to protect tax breaks for millionaires is wildly unpopular and the public will hold them responsible if Congress allows taxes to go up on every American family.”
“Congressmen Runyan, Smith and LoBiondo shouldn’t ring in the New Year by dropping the ball on middle-class tax relief,” said Joshua Henne, New Jersey spokesman for The Action. “Speaker Boehner’s ‘Plan B’ is not a serious alternative and flies in the face of the tax fairness the public is demanding. It’s no laughing matter for GOP leadership to obnoxiously propose a $50,000 tax break for millionaires while raising taxes on the middle-class.”
Come midnight on December 31st, GOP inaction will have serious consequences for New Jersey’s families and small businesses. Blame will fall squarely at the feet of Congressional Republicans if families across New Jersey have $2,200 less in their pockets and find themselves deciding between buying groceries or filling a prescription.
Congressmen Runyan, Smith and LoBiondo have a golden opportunity to avoid economic hardship for their constituents - and political fallout for themselves - by approving the Senate bill to immediately extend tax relief to 98% of the American people and 97% of small businesses.
****************
South Jersey Citizens For Change is one of over 150 national, state and local organizations part of The Action – a grassroots movement calling for the end of the Bush-era tax breaks for the richest 2 percent that have for too long shortchanged critical investments that create and sustain jobs. December 1st marked the first major national day of action of the movement, with over 100 events taking place in 30 states pressuring Members of Congress to put middle class before millionaires.
An Opportunity For Compromise
The following op-ed appeared yesterday in the Philadelphia Inquirer. It states that Congressman Runyan should do the right thing and let the Bush Tax Cuts expire for top-income earners
By Joshua Henne
Over 13 years in the NFL, Jon Runyan's job was to protect the quarterback. Now that he's in the House of Representatives, his job is to protect his constituents. Runyan (R., N.J.) can do that by agreeing to President Obama's plan to preserve Bush-era tax rates for the middle class while letting them expire for the richest 2 percent.
Democrats and Republicans alike can agree that middle-income families' taxes shouldn't go up. But they will increase if Congress fails to act. With a Dec. 31 expiration date looming, Runyan would be wise to heed the advice of his colleague Tom Cole, the first Republican congressman to openly urge approval of Obama's plan. Cole served as the Republican National Committee's chairman and as its chief of staff during George W. Bush's presidential run. But even this rock-ribbed partisan knows there is no good reason to hold all the country's taxpayers hostage simply to fight for the uber-wealthy.
It's fine if you still believe in trickle-down economics, unicorns, and leprechauns. But what truly fuels small-business success is regular folks' having money to spend. And if Congress fails to act, tax hikes could force Americans to reduce their spending on clothes, cars, and other consumer products by almost $200 billion next year alone.
Ending tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires is also essential to avoiding the fiscal cliff's automatic spending cuts, which would cripple many government programs that families rely on. Obama's proposal to let taxes go up for the wealthiest households would bring in half the money needed to avoid those cuts. Meanwhile, 98 percent of Americans and 97 percent of small businesses would keep the tax rates they currently enjoy.
Runyan should show he's not willing to allow middle-class taxes to spike just to avoid asking the wealthiest to pay their share. New Jersey's employment has consistently trailed the nation's under Gov. Christie. Unemployment hovers around 10 percent, significantly worse than the U.S. rate, and middle-class incomes are languishing even as those of the top earners are rising.
Runyan has already said he won't be beholden to Grover Norquist's silly no-tax pledge, as has his colleague across the Delaware, Pat Meehan (R., Pa.). They should take the next logical step and embrace Obama's proposal.
Last month, Americans voted resoundingly for the president after a campaign that focused squarely on the fairness issue. At his own election-night victory party, Runyan said, "The political positioning is over, and it's now time to have the adult conversations with the American people." Runyan was completely correct: His constituents want action, not posturing.
There is no better way for the former lineman to tackle the real problem and put his money where his mouth is - and to put more money in the pockets of the middle class and small businesses - than by supporting the president's call for tax relief for 98 percent of Americans.
Joshua Henne is New Jersey spokesman for The Action. He can be followed on Twitter at @JoshuaHenne.
By Joshua Henne
Over 13 years in the NFL, Jon Runyan's job was to protect the quarterback. Now that he's in the House of Representatives, his job is to protect his constituents. Runyan (R., N.J.) can do that by agreeing to President Obama's plan to preserve Bush-era tax rates for the middle class while letting them expire for the richest 2 percent.
Democrats and Republicans alike can agree that middle-income families' taxes shouldn't go up. But they will increase if Congress fails to act. With a Dec. 31 expiration date looming, Runyan would be wise to heed the advice of his colleague Tom Cole, the first Republican congressman to openly urge approval of Obama's plan. Cole served as the Republican National Committee's chairman and as its chief of staff during George W. Bush's presidential run. But even this rock-ribbed partisan knows there is no good reason to hold all the country's taxpayers hostage simply to fight for the uber-wealthy.
It's fine if you still believe in trickle-down economics, unicorns, and leprechauns. But what truly fuels small-business success is regular folks' having money to spend. And if Congress fails to act, tax hikes could force Americans to reduce their spending on clothes, cars, and other consumer products by almost $200 billion next year alone.
Ending tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires is also essential to avoiding the fiscal cliff's automatic spending cuts, which would cripple many government programs that families rely on. Obama's proposal to let taxes go up for the wealthiest households would bring in half the money needed to avoid those cuts. Meanwhile, 98 percent of Americans and 97 percent of small businesses would keep the tax rates they currently enjoy.
Runyan should show he's not willing to allow middle-class taxes to spike just to avoid asking the wealthiest to pay their share. New Jersey's employment has consistently trailed the nation's under Gov. Christie. Unemployment hovers around 10 percent, significantly worse than the U.S. rate, and middle-class incomes are languishing even as those of the top earners are rising.
Runyan has already said he won't be beholden to Grover Norquist's silly no-tax pledge, as has his colleague across the Delaware, Pat Meehan (R., Pa.). They should take the next logical step and embrace Obama's proposal.
Last month, Americans voted resoundingly for the president after a campaign that focused squarely on the fairness issue. At his own election-night victory party, Runyan said, "The political positioning is over, and it's now time to have the adult conversations with the American people." Runyan was completely correct: His constituents want action, not posturing.
There is no better way for the former lineman to tackle the real problem and put his money where his mouth is - and to put more money in the pockets of the middle class and small businesses - than by supporting the president's call for tax relief for 98 percent of Americans.
Joshua Henne is New Jersey spokesman for The Action. He can be followed on Twitter at @JoshuaHenne.
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
OVER 150 NEW JERSEYANS COME TOGETHER TO IMPLORE CONGRESS TO LET BUSH TAX CUTS EXPIRE ON TOP 2%
For Immediate Release:
(NEW JERSEY) – With the Bush Tax Cuts set to at the expire of this month, over 150 New Jerseyans took part in a national Day of Action at 4 sessions throughout the state this past Saturday, December 1st. Participants included activists, community organizers, union members, people of faith, volunteers fresh off the Obama campaign and those who simply care about the future our country.
These activist and informational get-togethers took place in Montclair, Pleasantville, Toms River and Willingboro. There, folks learned about the “fiscal cliff” and how it will affect programs the middle-class and working families care about. Specifically, they discussed how important it is for Congress to let the Bush Tax Cuts lapse on the wealthiest 2%. They spoke of ways to mobilize during this lame duck Congressional session and came up with citizen actions to make sure our representatives listen to the will of the people – who voted for fairness at the polls last month.
"This election was all about fairness, and letting the Bush Tax Cuts expire on the top 2% is a strong way to help bring about an America where everyone pays their fair share and has equal responsibility to our communities,” said Jackie Cornell-Bechelli, Campaign Director for The Action and former New Jersey Obama for America State Director. “That's why we saw such a positive response this weekend and that's why we will continue to push Congress to do the right thing.”
“This weekend, New Jersey showed that we believe in tax fairness and an economy that works for 100% of Americans, not just the richest 2%,” said Ann Vardeman, an organizer with NJ Citizen Action and Americans for Tax Fairness. “Our elected officials need to listen to the voices of their constituents and put the needs of the middle-class and working families first.”
If Congress lets the Bush Tax Cuts expire on top income earners, 97% of small businesses and 98% of Americans would continue receiving the exact same tax relief. Moreover, economists have proven tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans are the least effective way to grow the economy.
“Congress shouldn’t hold the middle-class captive just to make sure the Scrooge McDucks of the world can continue swimming around in ever-deepening vaults of cash,” said Joshua Henne, Democratic strategist and spokesman for New Jersey Protect Your Care. “If we hand hedge-fund managers more money to simply add to their savings accounts and stock portfolios, we won’t have the funds needed to rebuild our crumbling roads and bridges, upgrade our energy grid and invest in education, healthcare and innovation.”
Republican Congress Members Jon Runyan, Frank LoBiondo, Chris Smith and Leonard Lance would be wise to keep their finger on the pulse in their district, rather than taking marching orders from right-wing think tanks and Grover Norquist.
“Ending the Bush Tax Cuts for the richest 2% isn’t just a Beltway issue,” said James Gee, veteran political operative. “Real people here in New Jersey are taking interest, because this affects all our lives.”
Throughout the weekend, New Jerseyans throughout the state also took to social media to rally around the cause. Many used the twitter hashtag #TheActionNJ to say why they support letting the Bush Tax Cuts expire on the top 2%. Tweets came pouring in from college students to senior citizens and everyone in between.
The twitterverse saw both Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver and Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy holding up placards saying “End the Bush Tax Cuts For The Wealthy.”
New Jersey Representatives Rob Andrews and Rush Holt also chimed in this weekend on twitter:
· @RepAndrews: “Let the #BushTaxCuts expire so the wealthiest 2% pay their fair share & America can get its deficit under control #TheActionNJ #TheAction”
· @RushHolt: “A budget is about moral choices. The right thing to do: invest in jobs/schools/R&D - not Bush tax cuts for top 2% #TheActionNJ #TheAction”
For more information – and to see the scope of national activities going forward, please visit www.TheAction.org. You can also find “The Action” on facebook and follow @JoinTheAction on twitter.
Groundswell of Support at Four Sessions Throughout The State
(NEW JERSEY) – With the Bush Tax Cuts set to at the expire of this month, over 150 New Jerseyans took part in a national Day of Action at 4 sessions throughout the state this past Saturday, December 1st. Participants included activists, community organizers, union members, people of faith, volunteers fresh off the Obama campaign and those who simply care about the future our country.
These activist and informational get-togethers took place in Montclair, Pleasantville, Toms River and Willingboro. There, folks learned about the “fiscal cliff” and how it will affect programs the middle-class and working families care about. Specifically, they discussed how important it is for Congress to let the Bush Tax Cuts lapse on the wealthiest 2%. They spoke of ways to mobilize during this lame duck Congressional session and came up with citizen actions to make sure our representatives listen to the will of the people – who voted for fairness at the polls last month.
"This election was all about fairness, and letting the Bush Tax Cuts expire on the top 2% is a strong way to help bring about an America where everyone pays their fair share and has equal responsibility to our communities,” said Jackie Cornell-Bechelli, Campaign Director for The Action and former New Jersey Obama for America State Director. “That's why we saw such a positive response this weekend and that's why we will continue to push Congress to do the right thing.”
“This weekend, New Jersey showed that we believe in tax fairness and an economy that works for 100% of Americans, not just the richest 2%,” said Ann Vardeman, an organizer with NJ Citizen Action and Americans for Tax Fairness. “Our elected officials need to listen to the voices of their constituents and put the needs of the middle-class and working families first.”
If Congress lets the Bush Tax Cuts expire on top income earners, 97% of small businesses and 98% of Americans would continue receiving the exact same tax relief. Moreover, economists have proven tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans are the least effective way to grow the economy.
“Congress shouldn’t hold the middle-class captive just to make sure the Scrooge McDucks of the world can continue swimming around in ever-deepening vaults of cash,” said Joshua Henne, Democratic strategist and spokesman for New Jersey Protect Your Care. “If we hand hedge-fund managers more money to simply add to their savings accounts and stock portfolios, we won’t have the funds needed to rebuild our crumbling roads and bridges, upgrade our energy grid and invest in education, healthcare and innovation.”
Republican Congress Members Jon Runyan, Frank LoBiondo, Chris Smith and Leonard Lance would be wise to keep their finger on the pulse in their district, rather than taking marching orders from right-wing think tanks and Grover Norquist.
“Ending the Bush Tax Cuts for the richest 2% isn’t just a Beltway issue,” said James Gee, veteran political operative. “Real people here in New Jersey are taking interest, because this affects all our lives.”
Throughout the weekend, New Jerseyans throughout the state also took to social media to rally around the cause. Many used the twitter hashtag #TheActionNJ to say why they support letting the Bush Tax Cuts expire on the top 2%. Tweets came pouring in from college students to senior citizens and everyone in between.
The twitterverse saw both Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver and Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy holding up placards saying “End the Bush Tax Cuts For The Wealthy.”
New Jersey Representatives Rob Andrews and Rush Holt also chimed in this weekend on twitter:
· @RepAndrews: “Let the #BushTaxCuts expire so the wealthiest 2% pay their fair share & America can get its deficit under control #TheActionNJ #TheAction”
· @RushHolt: “A budget is about moral choices. The right thing to do: invest in jobs/schools/R&D - not Bush tax cuts for top 2% #TheActionNJ #TheAction”
For more information – and to see the scope of national activities going forward, please visit www.TheAction.org. You can also find “The Action” on facebook and follow @JoinTheAction on twitter.
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Mr. Burns Explains The Fiscal Cliff
by ANIMATIONonFOX
Still reeling from the presidential election results, Mr. Burns takes a few minutes to explain the upcoming fiscal cliff.
Still reeling from the presidential election results, Mr. Burns takes a few minutes to explain the upcoming fiscal cliff.
The Fiscal Cliff "An Artificial Crisis"
The following is from Congressman Rush Holt's newsletter:
Washington and the talk shows are captivated by talk of the “fiscal cliff”: the combination of automatic spending cuts and revenue increases scheduled to take effect at the end of the year. Unfortunately, this is the wrong conversation for America to be having.
The fiscal cliff is an artificial crisis created by renegades who used America’s statutory debt limit to hold the nation hostage in August of 2011. (How absurdly irresponsible to say we will teach ourselves a lesson by not paying our debts!) Just as the cliff was created by a vote of Congress then, it could be dispensed with by a vote of Congress today. Yet negotiators in Congress and at the White House are continuing to operate within the narrow, artificial framework imposed by last year’s hostage-taking: debating, for example, whether cuts to Medicare should be balanced with an appropriate increase in marginal tax rates to 39.5 percent.
We would do better to put today’s challenges in their proper context. From time to time in our history America has faced very large public debts before, most notably after the end of Word War II. Each time, we got to work, worked hard as Americans always do, and built the economy by building and doing things. We did not wring our hands over what America cannot do, but rather set about doing what we can do. There’s no question that the debt is an important problem – but the United States is not, as some would have us believe, defined by its debt. It is defined by its people, its infrastructure, its creativity, its innovation, its drive. We are not a "poor debtor nation," as one might think listening to the debate this month. Our budget deficit is not an existential crisis.
Remember that, as recently as a decade ago, the United States had a balanced budget and was paying down the debt – not because of a gimmick or a response to a perceived crisis or a constitutional balanced-budget amendment, but because of rational lawmaking and policies that led to a thriving economy. We are still the richest, most productive, most capable country in the world. We should be asking how we will set about making certain that all Americans have food, housing, schooling, jobs, and vibrant culture. If we do those things, the resulting growing economy will make our fixation on a phony fiscal crisis recede into the past.
Those renegades held us hostage in 2011; we shouldn't hold ourselves hostage today by arguing within the false framework they set then....
Sincerely,
Rush Holt
Member of Congress
Washington and the talk shows are captivated by talk of the “fiscal cliff”: the combination of automatic spending cuts and revenue increases scheduled to take effect at the end of the year. Unfortunately, this is the wrong conversation for America to be having.
 |
| Congressman Rush Holt |
We would do better to put today’s challenges in their proper context. From time to time in our history America has faced very large public debts before, most notably after the end of Word War II. Each time, we got to work, worked hard as Americans always do, and built the economy by building and doing things. We did not wring our hands over what America cannot do, but rather set about doing what we can do. There’s no question that the debt is an important problem – but the United States is not, as some would have us believe, defined by its debt. It is defined by its people, its infrastructure, its creativity, its innovation, its drive. We are not a "poor debtor nation," as one might think listening to the debate this month. Our budget deficit is not an existential crisis.
Remember that, as recently as a decade ago, the United States had a balanced budget and was paying down the debt – not because of a gimmick or a response to a perceived crisis or a constitutional balanced-budget amendment, but because of rational lawmaking and policies that led to a thriving economy. We are still the richest, most productive, most capable country in the world. We should be asking how we will set about making certain that all Americans have food, housing, schooling, jobs, and vibrant culture. If we do those things, the resulting growing economy will make our fixation on a phony fiscal crisis recede into the past.
Those renegades held us hostage in 2011; we shouldn't hold ourselves hostage today by arguing within the false framework they set then....
Sincerely,
Rush Holt
Member of Congress
Saturday, December 1, 2012
President Obama's Weekly Address 12/1/12: Urging Congress to Extend the Middle Class Tax Cuts
President Obama speaks to the American people from a busy factory floor in Pennsylvania about the urgent need to pass the middle class tax cuts, which will give families and businesses preparing for the holidays the certainty they need going into the New Year. Democrats and Republicans must come together to pass one thing that everyone agrees on—extending income tax cuts for 98 percent of American families and 97 percent of small businesses, and there is no reason to wait. The President urges Congress to take action to help grow our economy and strengthen the middle class.
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
NJ GOP HOUSE MEMBERS SHOULD LISTEN TO CONGRESSMAN TOM COLE & CONTINUE MIDDLE-CLASS TAX RELIEF IMMEDIATELY
For Immediate Release:
November 28, 2012
Politico, 11/27: Republican Rep. Tom Cole urged colleagues in a private session Tuesday to vote to extend the Bush tax rates for all but the highest earners before the end of the year — and to battle over the rest later. ... “I think we ought to take the 98 percent deal right now,” [Congressman Cole] said of freezing income tax rates for all but the top 2 percent of earners.
(NEW JERSEY) – With the December 31st expiration date looming for the Bush Tax Cuts, New Jersey’s Republican House members would be wise to join with their colleague Congressman Tom Cole – a member of the House Republican leadership – in doing the right thing: immediately extending tax relief for the middle class and letting the Bush Tax Cuts expire for the wealthiest 2%.
On Election Day, the voters spoke up loud and clear for fairness. And recent polls show both the American people and small businesses do not support continued tax breaks for the richest 2%. If Congress fails to act, the average middle-class family would see a $2,200 spike in taxes - negatively impacting consumer spending and retailers, while killing jobs in the process.
“With near 10 % unemployment and consistently lagging the rest of the country when it comes to jobs, New Jersey needs middle-class tax relief,” said Joshua Henne, spokesman for New Jersey Protect Your Care. “To date, Congressmen such as Jon Runyan, Chris Smith, Leonard Lance and Frank LoBiondo have been reluctant to listen to 60% of Americans or the majority of small business owners who support letting the Bush Tax Cuts lapse for the top 2%. Hopefully, they’ll listen to a fellow staunch Republican who is prepared to put what’s best for his country and the middle-class ahead of special interests and Grover Norquist’s silly pledge.”
As Politico noted, Congressman Cole is no “squish” when it comes to Republican orthodoxy. Cole served as Executive Director of the National Republican Congressional Committee in the 1992 cycle. During George W. Bush’s 2000 campaign cycle, he served as Chief of Staff of the Republican National Committee. In 2008, Cole served as Chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee.
There’s no time to waste. New Jersey needs middle-class tax relief right now. This Saturday, December 1st there will be 4 activist get-togethers spread across the state where people can learn about the issues facing Congress over the next few weeks. Here, participants can mobilize to make sure New Jersey’s delegation does the right thing by letting the Bush Tax Cuts lapse for the wealthiest 2%. The locations for this Saturday’s sessions are as follows:
1). Toms River: Branch OC Library, 101 Washington Street (1:30 pm – 3:30 pm)
2). Montclair: Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 67 Church Street (11 am – 12:30 pm)
3). Willingboro: Senior Center, 429 John F. Kennedy Way (11 am-12:30 pm)
4). Pleasantville: Christ Worship Worldwide Church, 249 W. Bayview Avenue (10 am – 2 pm)
November 28, 2012
Politico, 11/27: Republican Rep. Tom Cole urged colleagues in a private session Tuesday to vote to extend the Bush tax rates for all but the highest earners before the end of the year — and to battle over the rest later. ... “I think we ought to take the 98 percent deal right now,” [Congressman Cole] said of freezing income tax rates for all but the top 2 percent of earners.
(NEW JERSEY) – With the December 31st expiration date looming for the Bush Tax Cuts, New Jersey’s Republican House members would be wise to join with their colleague Congressman Tom Cole – a member of the House Republican leadership – in doing the right thing: immediately extending tax relief for the middle class and letting the Bush Tax Cuts expire for the wealthiest 2%.
On Election Day, the voters spoke up loud and clear for fairness. And recent polls show both the American people and small businesses do not support continued tax breaks for the richest 2%. If Congress fails to act, the average middle-class family would see a $2,200 spike in taxes - negatively impacting consumer spending and retailers, while killing jobs in the process.
“With near 10 % unemployment and consistently lagging the rest of the country when it comes to jobs, New Jersey needs middle-class tax relief,” said Joshua Henne, spokesman for New Jersey Protect Your Care. “To date, Congressmen such as Jon Runyan, Chris Smith, Leonard Lance and Frank LoBiondo have been reluctant to listen to 60% of Americans or the majority of small business owners who support letting the Bush Tax Cuts lapse for the top 2%. Hopefully, they’ll listen to a fellow staunch Republican who is prepared to put what’s best for his country and the middle-class ahead of special interests and Grover Norquist’s silly pledge.”
As Politico noted, Congressman Cole is no “squish” when it comes to Republican orthodoxy. Cole served as Executive Director of the National Republican Congressional Committee in the 1992 cycle. During George W. Bush’s 2000 campaign cycle, he served as Chief of Staff of the Republican National Committee. In 2008, Cole served as Chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee.
There’s no time to waste. New Jersey needs middle-class tax relief right now. This Saturday, December 1st there will be 4 activist get-togethers spread across the state where people can learn about the issues facing Congress over the next few weeks. Here, participants can mobilize to make sure New Jersey’s delegation does the right thing by letting the Bush Tax Cuts lapse for the wealthiest 2%. The locations for this Saturday’s sessions are as follows:
1). Toms River: Branch OC Library, 101 Washington Street (1:30 pm – 3:30 pm)
2). Montclair: Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 67 Church Street (11 am – 12:30 pm)
3). Willingboro: Senior Center, 429 John F. Kennedy Way (11 am-12:30 pm)
4). Pleasantville: Christ Worship Worldwide Church, 249 W. Bayview Avenue (10 am – 2 pm)
Saturday, November 10, 2012
President Obama's Weekly Address 11/10/12: Extending Middle Class Tax Cuts to Grow the Economy
In his weekly address,President Obama says that it’s time for Congress to pass the middle class tax cuts for 98 percent of all Americans. Both parties agree that this will give 98 percent of families and 97 percent of small businesses the certainty that will lead to growth, and so there is no reason to wait. On Tuesday, the American people voted for compromise and action, and the President calls on Congress to come together in that spirit to help create jobs and strengthen our economy.
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