This is the third in a series of posts written on the topic of the “Public Good” and “Shared Sacrifice”. We, as a nation, cannot address our long-standing fiscal challenges by cutting necessary programs and services for the most vulnerable members of our state such as WIC, SNAP, Medicare, Social Security, and Medicaid while corporations receive tax breaks. Instead of cutting necessary program and services, we must raise taxes on corporations and the wealthiest members of society. There must be shared sacrifice.
In response the series of House budget proposals cutting programs for the most vulnerable members of our society, voters have called out to their elected officials in Washington, DC for “shared sacrifice” when looking at the federal budget. Voters are telephoning, emailing, faxing their elected officials in Washington, DC to ask that Congress cut the multi-billion dollar subsides to oil companies. Like the hard-working citizen’s in the United States, many voters assert that corporations and wealthy Americans must pay their fair share of the tax burden.
Corporations and the affluent members in our society maintain an army of lobbyist in Washington promoting their best interest. Their voice on taxes has been heard by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, John Boehner. On Friday evening, John Boehner, yet again, pulled out of negotiations for a compromise on a package that raises the debt ceiling and addresses the deficit. The New York Times reported that the Republican House speaker, John A. Boehner, said Friday that, “…he had broken off talks with President Obama on getting a budget deal to avert a government default. Mr. Boehner said that Mr. Obama wanted to raise taxes too high and won’t make fundamental changes to help programs such as Medicare.”
In response to the recent action taken by Speaker Boehner, progressive organizations have sent out action alerts to their members and supporters including but not limited to: the National, A National Catholics Social Justice Lobby, reminding them/us that like Congress this weekend we need to take action about the debt ceiling debate. In the National’s Action Alert, it reminds us/the reader that the default date is fast approaching and SOMEONE needs to get an agreement to raise the debt ceiling. It is imperative that this action is taken swiftly and citizen involvement is key to reaching an outcome that is in keeping with the “Public Good”.
As aptly stated in the action alert, it is imperative that persons concerned by the “Public
Good” let the President, House and Senate members know that any agreement reached
must include protections for low-income people. It is evident that, we, as a nation, cannot protect members of our communities who rely on programs such as Medicaid and nutrition assistance without increased revenues. With that said, it is imperative that we tell Congress (that has sworn an oath to act in the “public good”) that this means that tax reform and protections for the poor must be included in any deal reached on the debt ceiling. The wealthiest among us who benefit most from our government must now be made to pay their fair share of the tax burden. Toward that goal, call the local offices of your members of Congress over the weekend.
If “shared sacrifice” is important to you, please call and/or write to your members of Congress immediately. Tell them we cannot accept cuts to programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, nutrition assistance or affordable housing programs (just to name a few) that would devastate people who are poor and vulnerable while affluent members and countless corporations in our nation will continue to get a free ride and not pay their fair share of taxes.
Get involved in the federal budget process—contact your elected officials in Washington, DC. If you will be calling this weekend, you can find the phone numbers for your elected officials in Washington DC by going to www.networklobby.org. If you are calling next week, you can call the Washington offices via the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121. If “shared sacrifice” is important to you then when speaking with your representatives you should indicate that she/he should Vote NO on any debt/deficit deal that does not protect low-income people and fails to raise revenues on the affluent and corporations.
Sources: The New York Times, Breaking News Alert, Friday, July 22, 2011 — 6:05 PM EDT. Action Alert: National, A National Catholics Social Justice Lobby.
Photo credit: Microsoft Clip Art
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