8 years of Bush economics - McCain offers more of the same.

[babylonsister]

Spread the word!

http://progressiveaccountability.org/2008/08/01/8-years-of-bush-economics-mccain-offers-more-of-the-same/

8 years of Bush economics - McCain offers more of the same.

In Florida today, John McCain will offer Americans more of the same Bush economic policies that are responsible for our current economic struggles – more rising unemployment, sluggish wage growth, and rising cost of living. McCain even supports two trillion in new tax breaks for corporations and the rich – once again putting corporate profits before people.

After 8 years of Bush economics, America’s families are hurting – but McCain only offers more of the same.

* For the seventh straight month, job numbers have fallen. With 51,000 jobs lost in July, unemployment jumped to 5.7 percent. The highest unemployment rate in four years.

* Like Bush, McCain offers billions in tax cuts for Big Oil, but no relief for families. According to the Center for American Progress Action Fund, McCain’s tax plan gives nearly $4 billion in tax breaks to the top five American oil companies, but gives families very little. Economists have panned McCain’s gas tax holiday, saying it won’t help families with gas prices.

McCain’s economic plan, like George Bush’s, is filled with giveaways for CEOs and corporations, but gives very little to families. In addition to making the Bush tax cuts permanent, McCain offers massive new corporate tax cuts. While big oil and insurance companies get billions in tax breaks, middle class families get little.

* McCain’s corporate tax cuts would give $3.8 billion in tax breaks to the 5 biggest oil companies and $1.9 billion in tax breaks to the 10 biggest health insurers. Meanwhile, families who are struggling to pay the bills get much less.

* America’s top 5 oil companies Exxon, Shell, Valero and others would stand to receive a $3.8 billion tax break, while the average family *might* save $44.40 from McCain’s gas holiday.

To pay for these tax breaks, McCain will have to cut programs and services like early education, student loans, cancer research, affordable housing, and transportation by 30 percent — adding to middle class Americans’ economic burdens when they are already facing a rising cost of living.

[bigwillq]

1. That's what Obama needs to go after.

Hammer it home that McCain will be eight more years of Shrub. Obama needs to make the economy the No. 1 issue. Energy prices thrown in there as well because they certainly affect the economy.

Obama can do this without going negative. Just dissect McCain's record. What the hell has McCain done for the economy? :shrug:

[FlaDem83]

2. The question is

are we better off now than we were 4 years ago, 8 years ago?? Obama finally hit on this theme at the town hall I went to in St. Pete today. I hope he sticks with it, that his surrogates hammer it home and the msm runs with....oh, nevermind.

[bigwillq]

3. Hello.

Welcome to DU! :hi:

[babylonsister]

4. Hey, FlaDem83, welcome to DU!

:hi:

That IS the question, and I'm glad Obama hit on that theme. Tell us about the town hall; was this the one with the protesters? From what little I saw, Obama handled it well.

[FlaDem83]

5. Hi all!!

Thanks for the welcome. I am a long-time lurker here at DU - and really pleased to be here and be posting. Of course, now that I can post my billables will probably go down (I'm an attorney here in Tampa).

Yes, this was the town hall w/the protesters and Obama handled them and the rest of the crowd (the crowd was really riled up) with grace and aplomb. I thought he answered and addressed the young man's question directly and diplomatically. The crowd around me was really furious at the protesters, but Obama did the absolute best thing he could do - address them directly and engage them, and I think, diffuse whatever point it was they wanted to get across. I was very impressed with him in this context and could really see his professorial background and legal training come to the forefront in the way he handled the questions and explained them in such a clear way.

The last question of the town hall was a good one - a man asked what about this second stimulus the Senator is proposing - this man asked aren't we just borrowing that money for China and what's the good in that? Senator Obama stated that the second stimulus package is, like the first, a wise precautionary measure to prevent the economy from going into even more of a tailspin and that basically, the money spent doing that is being spent in the best possible way. I was initially reticent at the mention of this second stimulus package, but now I see the wisdom behind it. He used this as a way to pivot to talking about the current fiscal policy of this administration and John McCain, from the deregulation that's gone on in the financial markets to the staggering job loss that the country is experiencing.

Other questions were: a young woman who asked about (I couldn't hear totally) moving to basically a more vegetarian based eating policy and wouldn't that be better for the environment, a question on no child left behind, a question on a national catastrophe fund (something us Floridians are concerned about) and the protester's question. Oh, and a question by a veteran from Afghanistan and Iraq regarding veteran's affairs.

Again - I am really happy to be here!!

[babylonsister]

6. We're happy to have you, and thanks for the lowdown on the town hall.

I'm encouraged that people do seem to be paying attention despite what the talking heads proclaim.

And 'grace' is Obama's other middle name. ;) One of his many attractions imo.