Courage.

[kentuck]

Paul Ryan and the Republicans say that "if we do nothing, Medicare is going to go broke". They are right. "If we do nothing". They are proposing something that is totally unfair and tilted to help the wealthiest once again.

Democrats need to show courage at this time. There are many ways they can save Medicare and Social Security. Silence is not one of them.

What is wrong with a windfall profits tax on the oil companies? Anything above $3 per gallon should be taxed at 90%, just for starters. This is as obvious as the nose on your face that this would be the best way to pay down our debt and deficits. All it takes is courage.

Neither Democrats nor Republicans should be asked to give up their Social Security or Medicare so we can give another tax break to millionaires and billionaires. The wealthy have not and they will not create jobs relative to the tax rates. That is a lie the Republicans spread for the feeble-minded.

Why not raise the top limit on FICA taxes (wages) to $250,000 dollars? Since they are going to propose no other tax increases on anyone making up to $250K per year, why not put them in the same bracket as everyone below them? And why not raise the top rate to at least 39.6% (the Clinton rate) and if that is not enough to get needed revenues, leave open the option of raising the rate higher. All it takes is a little courage.

The present tax rates are the lowest in over sixty years. Why not return them to a more sensible level? Why not call out the Republicans for bowing down to Grover Norquist and promising that they would never raise taxes under any circumstances, no matter what? They are reckless and foolish and should be called for what they are.

Why not reform the tax codes? Why not get rid of corporate welfare? Some have estimated that would raise over a trillion dollars a year if they did that. The facts being that there are many ways to fix this "deficit problem" than simply following the Republicans. Democrats should not be afraid to call for taxes on the wealthy. All it takes is a little courage.

.

[Amonester]

1. All of the above, plus legalize cannabis (and tax it).

You'd be surprised how much tax money this would generate, but no, prohibition will never work anyway.

[handmade34]

2. good start...

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. EXACTLY right!

It needs to be shouted from the rooftops!

All it takes is a little fucking courage, for crying out loud.

:kick:

[Klukie]

4. They need to slow the rising costs of care in addition to increasing revenues

The only way that is going to happen is if we remove as much of the profit motive as possible from the current system. Start with the insurance companies. They should all be non profit.

[bobbolink]

5. Within the word "courage" is "Rage". But mostly, Dems and "progressives" can't get themselves

worked up over something that affects mostly poorer people.

What is left out of this is that the cuts include Medicaid. Again, no rage and not even recognition of it, because its not "middleclass".

[kentuck]

8. Poor people don't seem to exist anymore...

to either Party?

[bobbolink]

9. We haven't existed since Clinton threw mothers and children under the bus.

Yet, we are ORDERED to vote so that the rest of you will think you all are safe in the Supremes.

Nutz to it.

Many of us no longer give a flying fuck.

[kentuck]

10. The Democrats talk about the "middle class" as if...

...there are no poor people left in this country.

[bobbolink]

11. ...and the rest go along with it just fine.

This involves EVERYONE.

EVERYONE is responsible for the language, which then affects the reality.

When the posters at DU continue this middleclass meme, and it is continued with the likes of Hartmann, MAddow, etc., then the message is very clear...

POOR PEOPLE, GET OUT OF OUR PARTY! YOU ARE DEAD TO US!

[sandyd921]

6. While we're talking about it,

let's tax capital gains at the same rates as normal income. Why the hell should these people, many of whom don't do any real work, get away paying only 15% while many people who actually work for a living pay a higher rate?

[kentuck]

7. Yes.

That is considered a loophole, in the calculations, I believe?

[pintobean]

12. Over a trillion dollars a year?

I've never heard that. Who are "some"?

[kentuck]

13. Too late to edit

correction: I had heard that number but on researching, I found $1.2 trillion over ten years. But that is only loopholes. The other options would account for even more in revenues.

[patrice]

14. Look into "Risk Management" relative to Medicare.

Medicare could be used to make certain kinds of organizations look good to other funding sources, some of that could benefit the quality of care, some of it could benefit other stuff.

[MichiganVote]

15. K&R

[AlabamaLibrul]

16. GREAT COURAGE - THE CPC'S BUDGET - THE PEOPLE'S BUDGET

http://cpc.grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=70


Rachel Maddow

“Balances the budget 20 years earlier than Paul Ryan even tries to”

The Guardian

“the most fiscally responsible in town… would balance the books by 2021“

The Nation

"the strongest rebuke...to the unconscionable 'Ryan Budget' for FY 2012."

[patrice]

17. If I understand their tax reforms, it looks like authentic opportunities for ENTREPRENEURSHIP

to me.

Am I wrong? Tell me, aren't the CPC's tax proposals a possible boom for small businesses???