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kpete

(71,997 posts)
Mon Oct 28, 2013, 09:48 PM Oct 2013

Senator 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

39 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Senator Bernie Sanders: "We cannot balance the budget on backs of people who have virtually nothing" (Original Post) kpete Oct 2013 OP
Kicked and recommended. Uncle Joe Oct 2013 #1
Say it Bernie! DeSwiss Oct 2013 #2
Bernie's voice comes through clear erronis Oct 2013 #33
Intelligence and clarity... dchill Oct 2013 #3
Restore the taxes on the wealthy already until they pay down the debt they ran up on point Oct 2013 #4
EXACTLY! nt Tigress DEM Oct 2013 #16
The very simple truth that some of these nitwits don't understand is: The poor and the.... BlueJazz Oct 2013 #5
Bernie gets it MissDeeds Oct 2013 #6
The panic on the Right is that Baby Boomers are turning America into a Welfare State.... Spitfire of ATJ Oct 2013 #7
Perfect! KansDem Oct 2013 #17
We're sucked dry. It's that simple. Brigid Oct 2013 #8
Bernie blue-wave Oct 2013 #9
Recommend jsr Oct 2013 #10
Bernie is right from our POV. From the GOP POV, eliminating millions from Earth is their job. freshwest Oct 2013 #11
Maybe it will be easier to do so once the TPP is signed. AnotherMcIntosh Oct 2013 #12
I wonder if Ms. Clinton agrees. Just sayin. nm rhett o rick Oct 2013 #13
Kicked and Recommended! nt Enthusiast Oct 2013 #14
k&r n/t RainDog Oct 2013 #15
Corporations write the Tax Code! Dustlawyer Oct 2013 #18
K&R nt NorthCarolina Oct 2013 #19
It's nice to know at least one person truly stands for the people. liberal_at_heart Oct 2013 #20
Our Father, who art in heaven..... fasttense Oct 2013 #21
K&R People love corporations more than democracy. raouldukelives Oct 2013 #22
I love how Bernie pronounces the word "nickel". beerandjesus Oct 2013 #23
K&R Liberalynn Oct 2013 #24
Why not make these corporations (people) pay income taxes, just as other people are required to? indepat Oct 2013 #25
This data show just how 'effin' vile are those who would balance the budget on the backs of those indepat Oct 2013 #26
Sounds presidential to me Blue Owl Oct 2013 #27
Bernie Sanders speaks for me. stage left Oct 2013 #28
GE made $40 billion and paid $0 in taxes. Initech Oct 2013 #29
K&R The problems are well defined and the solutions are plain. Egalitarian Thug Oct 2013 #30
Bernie is talking about me. Roarybeans Oct 2013 #31
Well, if misery loves company, you won't be miserable alone....... socialist_n_TN Oct 2013 #39
k&r for Senator Sanders. n/t Laelth Oct 2013 #32
this has been done for years or dont you know that ? allan01 Oct 2013 #34
One good voice... JimboBillyBubbaBob Oct 2013 #35
I fully agree!!! gopiscrap Oct 2013 #36
HUGE K & R !!! - THANK YOU !!! WillyT Oct 2013 #37
highly recommended nt arely staircase Oct 2013 #38

erronis

(15,303 posts)
33. Bernie's voice comes through clear
Tue Oct 29, 2013, 05:31 PM
Oct 2013

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.

 

BlueJazz

(25,348 posts)
5. The very simple truth that some of these nitwits don't understand is: The poor and the....
Mon Oct 28, 2013, 10:53 PM
Oct 2013

...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 ??

 

Spitfire of ATJ

(32,723 posts)
7. The panic on the Right is that Baby Boomers are turning America into a Welfare State....
Mon Oct 28, 2013, 11:23 PM
Oct 2013

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.

freshwest

(53,661 posts)
11. Bernie is right from our POV. From the GOP POV, eliminating millions from Earth is their job.
Tue Oct 29, 2013, 12:12 AM
Oct 2013

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)
12. Maybe it will be easier to do so once the TPP is signed.
Tue Oct 29, 2013, 12:28 AM
Oct 2013

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

 

fasttense

(17,301 posts)
21. Our Father, who art in heaven.....
Tue Oct 29, 2013, 10:14 AM
Oct 2013
Gives us this day our daily bread.

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)
22. K&R People love corporations more than democracy.
Tue Oct 29, 2013, 10:39 AM
Oct 2013

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.

indepat

(20,899 posts)
25. Why not make these corporations (people) pay income taxes, just as other people are required to?
Tue Oct 29, 2013, 03:05 PM
Oct 2013

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)
26. This data show just how 'effin' vile are those who would balance the budget on the backs of those
Tue Oct 29, 2013, 03:10 PM
Oct 2013

having little or nothing, all the while the uber-wealthy and large corporations continue to slop and feast at the public teat.

 

Egalitarian Thug

(12,448 posts)
30. K&R The problems are well defined and the solutions are plain.
Tue Oct 29, 2013, 03:56 PM
Oct 2013

That leaves only one factor unaccounted for in the equation.
& R

Roarybeans

(48 posts)
31. Bernie is talking about me.
Tue Oct 29, 2013, 04:00 PM
Oct 2013

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)
39. Well, if misery loves company, you won't be miserable alone.......
Tue Oct 29, 2013, 07:49 PM
Oct 2013

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.

allan01

(1,950 posts)
34. this has been done for years or dont you know that ?
Tue Oct 29, 2013, 06:13 PM
Oct 2013

always on the backs of the poor , never the rich or the military establisment.

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