Sanders Calls For Progressive Meeting, Alternative To Fiscal Commission

[laughingliberal]

WASHINGTON -- Clearly displeased with the initial deficit-reduction recommendations offered by the fiscal commission chairmen, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) announced on Friday that he will craft and introduce his own proposals as an alternative.

The Vermont Independent said that he will work with members of Congress, labor unions, seniors' organizations and others to develop alternative suggestions. And while he didn't get into the weeds, he did offer a few general areas that he hopes to target, including ending Bush-era tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans, chopping off Cold War-era Pentagon programs and eliminating of tax credits for big oil companies.

Of the ideas pushed by the commission co-chairmen -- former Sen. Alan K. Simpson and Erskine Bowles, former President Bill Clinton's former chief of staff -- Sanders offered the following:

"It is no surprise that these two favor draconian cuts to Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, the needs of our veterans, and education while proposing tax reductions for the wealthy and large profitable corporations... Simpson is a darling of the Republican right wing and Bowles is a former investment banker who made a fortune on Wall Street. Their plan was floated amid reports that the two were struggling to cobble together enough support on their own commission to go forward by a Dec. 1 deadline."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/12/sanders-calls-for-progres_n_782879.html

[gateley]

1. You go, Bernie! You have our support!! nt

[polichick]

2. God bless Bernie Sanders!!! nt

[BeFree]

3. Here we go

Finally, someone speaking our language.

Someone on our side, the people's side. The working person's side.

Now that's some hope and some change, finally.

[laughingliberal]

5. And someone who jumped in while there's still some time to bring it into the light before our

...cause is lost. Hopefully, we'll see some of those who know how to garner some media attention throw in with him. I'm thinking Trumka, Gray Panthers, AARP, leaders in the minority communities.

[Gold Metal Flake]

7. This could be a new start...

Here we go was my first thought as well.

[polichick]

8. Yes, that's change I can believe in. nt

[Lifelong Protester]

4. You get the party started, Senator, and we will all attend.

[laughingliberal]

12. I'm ready! nt

[Overseas]

6. Yes, please! Thank you Bernie ! //nt

[David__77]

9. Also, please demand that Obama disband the executive commission.

It has proven to be anti-people. Put trash where it belongs!

[LWolf]

10. I hope it happens. nt

[LiberalAndProud]

11. Godspeed, Senator.

thought, prayers, vibes and all that

[amborin]

13. knr

[Dragonfli]

14. Thank Goddess! Someone is willing to look out for us peons after all (or try)!!

I had hoped it would be the President, but for some reason he put the vultures on this task knowing full well where their inclinations would lead them.
Hell, I even knew what they'd do and got exactly what I expected. I know he knew these vultures way better than I did so I doubt he was surprised and called it as accurately as this carpenter did.

[laughingliberal]

16. Yes. I think if we're waiting for the President to stand up against this, we'll be very disappointed

Thank Goddess for Bernie, indeed.

[WillyT]

15. HUGE K & R !!!

:bounce:

:patriot:

:kick:

[unapatriciated]

17. k&r

but no surprise, that they would want cuts for those who are in real need vs those who want for nothing.

[Laelth]

18. k&r for right action. n/t

-Laelth

[scarletwoman]

19. Thank you, Senator Sanders! At least we have ONE person on the side of the working class!

Big K&R.

[Better Believe It]

20. Please Senator Sanders don't repeat the Wall Street/corporate b.s. that we have a "deficit crisis"

We don't have a deficit crisis.

We have a jobs crisis.

Don't give the Wall Street and corporate tycoons any credibility when they shed tears about the bogus "deficit crisis".

Dean Baker and other progressive economists have shot that false and misleading claim down.

Your ideas on increasing government revenues and cutting Pentagon spending are good.

Much of that money could be used to finance massive WPA type public works and infrastructure projects that would put millions to work.

I hope the conference you propose is broad based and very big and held soon.

It could present a progressive economic alternative that will put Americans back to work in contrast to the Wall Street and corporate hacks who want to cut the budget on the backs of working people, the elderly and the poor.

I'm sure you and your staff visit Democratic Underground and understand that we are with you in opposing the cuts proposed by the chairs of the deficit commission.

[Better Believe It]

21. K & R

[Shallah Kali]

22. thank goodness for people like Sen. Sanders

:kick:

[Douglas Carpenter]

23. God Bless Bernie Sanders

He keeps the focus on bread and butter issues that really effect peoples' lives.

[Celtic Raven]

24. K&R nt

[Marr]

25. Isn't it sad that he has to do this in opposition to a committee put together by a *Dem* president?

I'll be frank, I never had any faith in Obama. Not Hilary Clinton, either. As soon as the media dubbed them both the only "viable candidates" before one state had held a primary, I assumed they were both the same brand of Wall Street hack.

Still, Obama has really shocked me with just how out-of-the-tent he is. I mean honestly, maneuvering to cut Social Security? It's unreal.

[Marr]

26. But Obama's commission was bipartisan.

I mean, both sides of the Wall Street were represented.

[Waiting For Everyman]

27. K&R

It's exactly what I expected from those two from the minute I heard about it - especially Simpson. I could've guessed the recommendations ahead of time, and so could lots of others here. If Obama couldn't, he needs to be better informed on who these people are that he gives credibility to, and what they've been all about and represented in the past.

Simpson is a ruthless, closed-minded, corporatist jackass and Bowles is only a smoother version.

[Poboy]

28. K to the R -nt

[TheKentuckian]

29. Thank goodness for any sense from those with a vote! 110% Bernie

[bigtree]

30. right on

recommend

[dionysus]

31. good old Bernie. if only we had 50 of him.

[OlympicBrian]

32. Interesting graph

http://steadfastfinances.com/blog/2010/09/16/chartology-historical-view-of-national-debt-vs-federal-tax-brackets/