DNC: The GOP's Immoral Spending Priorities

[MaineDem]

For Immediate Release
October 19, 2005
Contact: Karen Finney - 202-863-8148

The GOP's Immoral Spending Priorities

Washington, DC - This week, Republicans in Congress under the guise of
fiscal responsibility in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, are proposing to
cut $50 billion in programs that help the elderly, students and the
poor. But, taken as a whole, the GOP proposals would actually cost
Americans $20 billion, as their immoral spending cuts are to be coupled
with $70 billion in tax cuts for the wealthy, including a permanent
repeal of the estate tax for multi-millionares. Editorial by Harold Meyerson, 10/19/05]

The proposed Republican spending cuts reduce access to health care for
low-income Americans, slash needed support for farmers and make it
harder for hundreds of thousands of Americans to afford college. Only
after protests from inside their own party did right-wing House
Republicans scrap a proposal to cut $500 million in food stamp programs,
a move that would have affected 300,000 lower-income Americans.


While Republicans in Congress propose cutting these vital programs,
Democrats are offering solutions to problems working Americans face
everyday. Democrats are focused on helping working families deal with
skyrocketing home heating costs and rising prices at the pump, raising
the minimum wage, helping survivors of Hurricane Katrina get back on
their feet, and making sure we are prepared for a disaster like Avian
flu.

"Once again Washington Republicans are turning their backs on the
American people, this time with immoral spending cuts," said Democratic
National Committee Communications Director Karen Finney. "It's
inconceivable that they would even dare to try and pass this ridiculous
scheme. First, Republicans used Hurricane Katrina to suspend worker wage
protections. Now, they are again using our nation's worst natural
disaster to cut vital programs, all the while promoting another
irresponsible giant tax cut for the wealthiest Americans. These
misplaced priorities are contrary to Americans' deep sense of morality,
fairness and shared responsibility. Hard-working Americans are doing
their part. Republican leaders in Washington should understand that
cutting these programs unnecessarily hurts American families. Together
we can do better. Democrats are fighting on behalf of all working
Americans and working to end the GOP's reckless fiscal policies."

###

Paid for and authorized by the Democratic National Committee,
www.democrats.org. This communication is not authorized by any
candidate or candidate's committee.

[afdip]

1. with the white house imploding, we can only hope

there are enough repukes that will buck the leadership and ALL the democrats will reject the further gutting of programs for the elderly, the poor and students.