Schakowsky's Plan to Save Social Security, Reduce Debt, Grow the Economy

[babylonsister]

Schakowsky's Plan to Save Social Security, Reduce Debt, Grow the Economy
John Nichols
November 17, 2010


The co-chairs of the president's Fiscal Commission, Alan Simpson and Erskine Bowles, are both "formers." Simpson's a former senator from Wyoming, Bowles is a former White House chief of staff and frequently failed senate candidate from North Carolina. They don't represent anyone, except perhaps the Wall Street speculators who would love to get their hands on the Social Security system.

In contrast, another commission member, Jan Schakowsky, is a "current." She currently represents a Chicago-area Congressional district, having served since 1999 as a heavy-lifter in the House, with an assignment on the Energy and Commerce Committee and a key leadership role on the Steering and Policy Committee. As an Illinois legislator and member of the US House, she has for the better part of two decades been an engaged player in budget debates, and she continues to make the hard choices in the real-world setting of the Congress as opposed to the theoretical zone where Simpson and Bowles operate. Additionally, Schakowsky's grassroots experience makes her one of the most uniquely qualified members of the deficit commission, as she served as program director of Illinois Public Action, the state's largest public interest group, and executive director of the Illinois State Council of Senior Citizens.

Schakowsky "gets" that working families did not cause the financial instability of the moment and, unlike Simpson and Bowles, she rejects the notion that working families should bear the overwhelming majority of the burden for putting the nation's fiscal house in order. As such, what Schakowsky has to say is grounded in a lot more reality than what the commission co-chairs have to say.

And what Schakowsky is saying adds a needed dose of realism to the debate about how to balance budgets, reduce debt and grow the economy.

"Lower- and middle-class Americans did not cause the deficit. Just ten years ago the federal budget was generating a surplus as far as the eye could see. That surplus was turned into a deficit due to massive tax cuts—mainly to wealthy Americans; two wars paid for by borrowed money; and a major recession caused by the recklessness of the big Wall Street banks. Over the last decade the incomes of middle-class Americans have actually shrunk, while those of the wealthiest 2 percent of the population have exploded," argues the Congresswoman.

snip//

But Schakowsky is not just saying "no."

She has an alternative plan to reduce the deficit by $427 billion over the next five years, far surpassing the target proposed by President Obama, and she would do it with an eye toward protecting the poor and the middle class and strengthening the economy.

more...

http://www.thenation.com/blog/156499/schakowskys-plan-save-social-security-reduce-debt-grow-economy

[Bluenorthwest]

1. Schakowsky is one decent voice on the commission

I rec'd this post, it remained at zero.

[WhiteTara]

4. now it has 5 recs

and I typing this reply so that it will have more exposure. I really like Schakowsky.

[eridani]

8. Also Xavier Becerra

Unfortunately, two votes won't block the horseshit from the majority led by Bowles and Simpson.

[Dr Morbius]

2. Illinois Democrats are justly proud of Jan Schakowsky.

The woman kicks ass.

[mikekohr]

3. I Wish Jan Schakowsky Represented Us instead of Tea Bagger Adam Kinzsinger

I'm missing Debbie Halvorson already.

mike kohr
Bureau County Democrats (Illinois)
http://bureaucountydems.blogspot.com

[Cosmocat]

5. It is just flat out sad ...

"Lower- and middle-class Americans did not cause the deficit. Just ten years ago the federal budget was generating a surplus as far as the eye could see. That surplus was turned into a deficit due to massive tax cuts—mainly to wealthy Americans; two wars paid for by borrowed money; and a major recession caused by the recklessness of the big Wall Street banks. Over the last decade the incomes of middle-class Americans have actually shrunk, while those of the wealthiest 2 percent of the population have exploded," argues the Congresswoman.

"argues?"

That shiite is the stone cold truth ...

But, the "liberal media" won't give reality the first bit of mention while advancing republican talking points as fact ...

The above statement IS what occured, and somehow we just saw the house decimated under the guise that it all is this president's and welfare's fault ...

[ladjf]

6. Jan Schakowsky is one of our best politicians. nt

[jillan]

7. I've been following this lady for years - she is one of the best voices we have.

Love her!

[eridani]

9. Her suggestions are all pretty good, but--

--why no tax on financial transactions? Obama even campaigned on that, I think.

[MissMarple]

10. Repeat after me: "Over the last decade the incomes of middle-class Americans have actually shrunk,

while those of the wealthiest 2 percent of the population have exploded," argues the Congresswoman."

Homework assignment:
Memorize this for constant repetition starting tomorrow. Send it to you congress critters and Senators, even if they aren't Democrats. Write a letter to your local newspaper, say it to your friends and neighbors whenever you can insert it into a conversation. It is a simple economic fact that people can wrap their brain cells around.... assuming they have fully functioning brain cells.

[jeanpalmer]

11. Jan Schakowsky for President

The only one we've seen so far who gets it. Time to send Obama an ultimatum: you have a month to declare you're not running in 2012. Time to give a real Democrat a chance.