4 Ways the Next Fight Over Spending in Washington Could Seriously Affect Your Life

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http://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/4-ways-next-fight-over-spending-washington-could-seriously-affect-your-life

1. Republicans will try to keep us focused on a fake deficit crisis instead of the real need – sustainable growth and good-paying jobs.

Truth is, we’ve already reduced federal deficits too far, too fast – at the behest of a bipartisan austerity mania. That is a key reason the U.S. economy, according to the Congressional Budget Office, last year was running $723 billion below its potential. In the context of a $17 trillion economy, that’s a big deal – it’s jobs that weren’t created, money that did not end up in the pockets of workers, economic opportunities that did not materialize.

2. We will continue to shortchange the investments we need for sustainable growth.

One of the most tangible things Congress could do this year to support long-term economic growth is to pass a robust surface transportation reauthorization bill. No one disputes the fact that the country spends too little to maintain its roads, bridges and public transportation, and Congress faces a deadline of later this year.

3. The health care assault is about to get real.

The repeated and ineffectual votes to “repeal Obamacare” by congressional Republicans remain a source of ridicule, but what they will try to do to Medicare and Medicaid is no laughing matter.