Bush’s ‘08 Budget Slashes Middle-Class Assistance
Bush’s ‘08 Budget Slashes Middle-Class Assistance
On Jan. 31, President Bush headed to Wall Street and acknowledged for the first time that income inequality exists in America: “The fact is that income inequality is real. It has been rising for more than 25 years.”
But apparently, he’s not quite ready to do anything about it. Bush’s 2008 budget cuts crucial aid for America’s middle class:
– “$77 billion in funding cuts for Medicare and Medicaid over the next five years, and $280 billion over the next 10.”
– $223 million in funding cuts (4 percent decrease from this year’s levels) to the Children’s Health Insurance Program.
– “$4.9 billion, or 8 percent, cut in education, training, employment and social services” grants.
– $100 million cut for Head Start, which provides child development services to economically disadvantaged children and families.
– “$2.4 billion cut in community and regional development grants — which often provide funding for low- and middle-income communities — to $16.5 billion from $18.9 billion.
– $400 million — 18 percent — cut in the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, “which provides $2.2 billion to help people pay heating bills this year.”
– $172 million — nearly 25 percent — cut in funding for housing for low-income seniors.
While Bush forgot about the middle class in the new budget, he made sure to look out for the wealthy. As the Tax Policy Center notes, “People with incomes of more than $1 million would get tax cuts averaging $162,000 a year (in 2012 dollars) in perpetuity.”
UPDATE: Gristmill has details on Bush’s energy and environmental spending.
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84 Responses to “Bush’s ‘08 Budget Slashes Middle-Class Assistance”
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So will this prove to the 28 percenters that he really hates everyone but the rich? Nah!
February 5th, 2007 at 8:39 pmFor corporatists, it's all about destroying the middle class. A strong middle class expects good wages and working conditions. A strong middle class demands economic justice. A strong middle class with traditional family values is not conducive to corporate profits. Public financing of elections will stop this process.
February 5th, 2007 at 8:41 pmGW Botch,
You are the worst person on earth!!!
February 5th, 2007 at 8:42 pmThe great irony here is that 0.1% of the 28 percenters are laughing their heads off at the other 27.9% for being such pathetic suckers.
February 5th, 2007 at 8:42 pmKlyde, actually, the 28 percenters love the rich. They worship the rich. They are the modern equivalent of Tories and Royalists.
February 5th, 2007 at 8:42 pmBuck Fush! He and the GOP say it to 98% of the rest of us everyday.
February 5th, 2007 at 8:43 pmWhat do you people want, guns or butter? There is a war on dufus`s and all you can do is bitch that the government will now be serving you margarine instead of real butter. Get over yourselves and make a sacrifice for your country will you?
Just eat the margarine and say- Thank you Uncle Sam that was very deliscous, may I please have another- and all will be well.
February 5th, 2007 at 8:46 pmThe great irony here is that 0.1% of the 28 percenters are laughing their heads off at the other 27.9% for being such pathetic suckers.
Comment by VerbalKint
But he's a Christian, and what about all the scuzzy women who want abortions, and what about all the slutty teenaged girls who want birth control so they can have sex, and what about all the homos who want to get married and convert us to their evil, but apparently quite fascinating ways? What about that smart guy?
February 5th, 2007 at 8:49 pm/sarcasm
What do you people want, guns or butter?
Comment by sheesh — February 5, 2007 @ 8:46 pm
Actually, I want my guns and ammo high and dry and my butter fresh and natural.
And expect to have both when there's not a MORON in the White House!!
February 5th, 2007 at 8:58 pmThis totally does it. This adminstration is mad.
February 5th, 2007 at 9:00 pmCaption Contest:
"Who says I am not under the special protection of God?"
February 5th, 2007 at 9:01 pmGet over yourselves and make a sacrifice for your country will you?
Comment by sheesh — February 5, 2007 @ 8:46 pm
What have you done for the US? Care to share?
February 5th, 2007 at 9:01 pmThis totally does it. The administration is mad.
February 5th, 2007 at 9:01 pmCaption Contest:
"What we have to fight for is the freedom and independence of the fatherland, so that our people may be enabled to fulfill the mission assigned to it by the creator"
Oh this one gives a little clue away
February 5th, 2007 at 9:02 pmCaption Contest:
"Strength lies not in defense but in attack."
February 5th, 2007 at 9:03 pmcaption Contest:
"Hi mom - please stop with the cheering - I think it's only you now and it's getting kinda embarrassing...heh heh"
February 5th, 2007 at 9:04 pmJust eat the margarine and say- Thank you Uncle Sam that was very deliscous, may I please have another- and all will be well.
Comment by sheesh — February 5, 2007 @ 8:46 pm
Folks, I am praying that this is sarcasm...
February 5th, 2007 at 9:05 pmMr. Compassion, Go f--- yourself.
February 5th, 2007 at 9:05 pmHe simply cuts items out of the budget in order to "cut the deficit" while leaving in place his tax cuts for the wealthy. As for his war, he decided to inclue part of the cost in the budget -- about 1/3 of the cost on record (he never counts the $$ that are unaccounted for).
He is a deranged, sadistic lunatic who must be removed from office.
Caption Contest:
"The world will not help, the people must help themselves. Its own strength is the source of life. That strength the Almighty has given us to use; that in it and through it, we may wage the battle of our life The others in the past years have not had the blessing of the Almighty - of Him who in the last resort, whatever man may do, holds in His hands the final decision. Lord God, let us never hesitate or play the coward"
February 5th, 2007 at 9:06 pmJust eat the margarine and say- Thank you Uncle Sam that was very deliscous, may I please have another- and all will be well.
Comment by sheesh
What are you waiting for? take yourself on down to the recruitment office.
February 5th, 2007 at 9:08 pmJust eat the margarine and say- Thank you Uncle Sam that was very deliscous, may I please have another- and all will be well.
Comment by sheesh
Sounds rather like a socialist communist to me.
February 5th, 2007 at 9:10 pmWorst president ever!
February 5th, 2007 at 9:12 pmGWB: Let them eat cake.
February 5th, 2007 at 9:14 pmAdmirable... just admirable.
Kanonen statt Butter!
But isn't this budget gonna be discussed in Congress? Let the furs fly.
February 5th, 2007 at 9:15 pmAmanda, they are ALL quotes from you-know-who (former German mustacioed leader) except one......can you guess?
February 5th, 2007 at 9:27 pm#8 LOL!
February 5th, 2007 at 9:28 pmDon't forget the $500 million he also wants cut from the Center for Disease Control. Yup...his first priority is protecting the American people...NOT!!
February 5th, 2007 at 9:31 pmThe article is slightly in error. It isn't true that Bu$h is "not quite ready to do anything about" income inequality. On the contrary, he is more than ready to make it WORSE.
GWBush and the Neocons: always ready to help the middle class into poverty. :P
February 5th, 2007 at 9:31 pmNo surprise. There will be a budget crisis and probably shutdowns because Bush wants his war and war toys.
Really, the only money we have left will continue to be spent in search of carnage and for corporate welfare. This was the plan all along.
February 5th, 2007 at 9:38 pmI really think full funding of these programs and expanding others would make us all a whole lot safer than bombing and occupying Iraq.
February 5th, 2007 at 9:45 pmBillions for defense and tax cuts for the rich; not one red cent for the people! So long GOP!
February 5th, 2007 at 9:50 pmCaption Contest...
Can I go to the bathroom now Condi?
February 5th, 2007 at 10:01 pmI believe we now have a right to hide as much money from the government as we possibly can, now that its pretty clear we are all on our own for the future.
February 5th, 2007 at 10:04 pmBurger King is hiring.
February 5th, 2007 at 10:07 pmTime to cut the salaries of the President and Veep first!!
February 5th, 2007 at 10:07 pmCaption Contest…I Pledge Allegiance, to the flag, of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
This is a true leader of our times. Why isn`t he getting the recognition he deserves. He is alot like John F Kennedy was in his policies and Presidential poularity.
They hated Kennedy more as a matter of fact. Look what the Presidency got him and look what it has gotten Bush. Bush will serve his two terms and Kennedy served what, one? Not even one. They are more alike than most would think. Both in popularity of the times in which they live and in policies and policy effectiveness that they had implemented.
In this arena, George W Bush has John F Kennedy beat hands down.
February 5th, 2007 at 10:14 pmWhen will your party produce a Kennedy like President such as we have produced with George W Bush?
Uncle, we usually put '/sarcasm off' after posts like that, just in case anyone thinks you are serious by mistake - you'll catch on.
February 5th, 2007 at 10:18 pmCaption Contest…I hold in my right hand for all to see, the average IQ of the average Democrat in America today.
February 5th, 2007 at 10:35 pmCaption Contest:
"I Pledge Allegiance, to the plutocrats, of the Combined Corporations of America, and to the lobbyists which stand for them, one party, under our vengeful Fundamentalist God, irrespective of how people vote or what science may say, with liberty taken from whoever I choose and military justice for all."
From an idea by other TPers from a few days ago....
February 5th, 2007 at 10:35 pmI really cannot believe these cuts. I'm on disability. I need the health insurance. I also don't want to be disabled forever, so I need the training services. The cuts in housing will make it even harder for me to live on my own.
February 5th, 2007 at 10:39 pmIs this a Compassionate Conservative?
heh ... they think money solves everything, until it comes to helping those in need... on top of that they say giving them the money will only make them lazy ... fine then, if money makes you lazy and thats bad, take it away from all the rich people, you'll be doing them a favor!
February 5th, 2007 at 10:45 pmBluedog49 — February 5, 2007 @ 8:41 pm:
You're exactly right about that - it's about destruction of the middle class. The New World Order can't afford it. Globalization/population growth will result, naturally, in a Ruling/Capitalist class and a Ruled-over/Working class. for Third world, emerging economies, this good as their lower class has nowhere to go but up (we get to see if an American worker can, in fact, compete with a Chineese worker - think lifestyle). For us, and our totally overblown consumer culture (financed by a debt-based economy) this will not be so good.
Yikes!
February 5th, 2007 at 10:51 pmNot to put too fine a point on this post although Lou Dobbs would be glad for the companionship. Medicaid, LIHEAP, block grants etc. are not programs for the " middle class". Unless you want to define the middle class as anyone other than the so-called rich (or the wannabes-same thing).
Had this post been that the GWB budget proposal targets the poor by removing (necessary) federal support for a variety of programs, then it would have been accurate. Medicare isn't means tested so any cuts there (all of which are necessary and also much too shallow) affect poor, middle and rich. I know quite a few seniors who get Medicare and aren't at all needy.
February 5th, 2007 at 10:52 pmI thought only Lou (I live on 300 acres in Joisey) Dobbs cared about the "middle class". I also thought TP was about accurate reporting.
Ah,right, partisanship lives.
This is going to come back to bit them in the ass hard. It won't be pretty.
They won't be able to build walls high enough, moats deep enough, nor
arm thugs big and dumb enough to save themselves from this kind of cr*p.
man, unbelievable... and beyond contempt.
February 5th, 2007 at 10:58 pmAmerican Insurgency.......the flavor of our future.
February 5th, 2007 at 11:04 pm$2.9 Trillion (Plus the $172 billion we have to borrow from the Chinese military) - A Society Completely Spiraling Out of Control
Where do I begin. How about this; someone at Moody's must be getting increasingly nervous about the AAA rating that the U.S. government is glazed with. You see, their entire business is about that rating because if that slips, the "perfect" benchmark won't be what it was - the pillar of credit - and the company will fall on its face. So they keep putting it off, and of course that allows the borrowing and spending to keep escalating (along with of course the idiocy of some 500 or so corrupt beltwayers). Our government is a giant dumb credit card being tossed around the giant drunken bar they call Washington, and guess what will happen after a long and very expensive drunken night, we are the obligors !!! Its not going to be Bush or Cheney or any of the other members of the one percent that are rak(p)ing it in right now that will pay the bill. Oh no. They wont be around, that's the plan, didn't ya know ? The inevitable collapse is so scary, they have to get a few more good years of greed in cuz in a about five years, they'll be citizens of some new tax haven country that will pop up in the Carib (Bush will be in Dubai for 3-4 months per year). They won't give a living shit about the rest of the Americans who will be left holding the bag. Hey, you part of the 1% ? No, oh why the hell did'nt you buy Oil and Defense stocks in 2001, ya limbering idiot ? Ha ! It will be a hellhole of a place, with roving crime gangs, soaring cancer rates, fires everywhere, riots, non-existent natural disaster barriers, societal breakdown at every turn, huge prisons, rampant disease, a hundred million guns (hey, read the newspaper now much now ?). You doubt it ? You actually doubt that the end game of the incredibly poor management of this country that is taking place as I and all of you write are blogs on these pages ? What, you think it will all end nicey nice after we go through two or three more keyboards ? Then you are a god damned idiot. Look at the financial disasters that are coming with Medicare and Social Security forecasted by any economist with a 50 cent calculator from China ? Of course, we'll be broke way before this really start to play out. Look at how Oil, Defense and the banks rule us now. A few large corps supply the drugs and distractions. How dumb we are for letting this country turn into a shithole while we waste HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS in even worse shitholes like the Middle East and Asia. Look at the cancer rate soaring to the point where cancer ads are constantly all over the airwaves - "Come and get treated for your cancer now, before all of the money is out in 5 years ". I guess that only about 30% of the population can actually write out $2,900,000,000 nevermind comprehend it (ah tricked you - add another 3 zeros, ya lug) There is pure evil and deception that goes into making up that number. What healthy, educated society projects budget deficits going out 5-6 years ? How can a budget be published that is in the RED (providing the Chinese military and our flying friends, the Saudis plenty of interest income) until 2012 ? It is yet just one more big turn of horseshit coming from the cowboy of horseshit himself today. The name of their game is loot it, and get out while you can. Conservative ? Wow. Look hard in the mirror, you fraudulent traitors. I'd love to see George Washington take a stiff swipe of his leather glove across each one of their faces.
February 5th, 2007 at 11:11 pmCaption contest:
Mr. President, raise your right hand and repeat after me:
"I swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me God."
You may now be seated.
The prosecution may call its first witness.
February 5th, 2007 at 11:15 pmWe'll meet again, in the midst of the screed, repeats the canard about Social Security. There is no, looming or otherwise, crisis in this program. Just stop saying it,it's not true.
February 5th, 2007 at 11:19 pmGet over yourselves and make a sacrifice for your country will you?
Comment by sheesh — February 5, 2007 @ 8:46 pm
I've already sacrificed my peace of mind.
No, wait. I've paid a lot of taxes.
Ummm...no. Both. Neither.
Ooooooo...I can't make up my mind. Like the rest of America, I'm disturbed by the war.
But you know, you'd be surprised at how well I sleep at night!
February 5th, 2007 at 11:21 pmi think TJM has a point: it is misleading to head this as an attack on the middle class;
although TJM, I would point out that the middle class is not getting the significant tax breaks, that's for the top 1%; most of the cuts mentioned above are taking money from people who are so poor they don't owe tax. I've been there, and the govt help is scant as is. Now I'm "middle class" and putting no cash aside, and not gettin any tax breaks. Show me the f'n money godamit
caption contest
Terry 39; I argued for the start to be "I pledge allegiance to the authoritarian icon..."
i can't remember who first proposed this,perhaps For Truth?
where's Hacker Bob, i proposed to have him "re-educated" and just wanted to make sure he saw that barb...
February 5th, 2007 at 11:26 pm#47
February 5th, 2007 at 11:28 pmyes, that's a good one, you have my vote for winner of caption contest...
Ah yes, #47 is very upbeat, suggests a positive end to the nightmare....
February 5th, 2007 at 11:39 pmWhy does that useless SOB even talk about a budget that is longer than 60 days? If he isn't impeached by then 75% of the true American Citizens will secede from the Union and form our own Country free of Neocons.
February 5th, 2007 at 11:41 pmComment by karlX — February 5, 2007 @ 11:28 pm
Comment by TerrytheTurtle — February 5, 2007 @ 11:39 pm
Thanks, guys. Bush just looks so...natural...in that pose. Should feel right at home in a courtroom.
February 5th, 2007 at 11:43 pmI think that would be a great image to dispers enmasse
this image of bush with his hand raised and #47 caption, the begining of the end...
its a little like something out of adbusters
but think how many people would feel good just to have that before there eyes, it's what so many of us are dreaming of, maybe slick dicky boy should be next to him to really complete the image...
February 5th, 2007 at 11:46 pmMine were all from a certain historical German leader except the one about mom and the pledge. Amanda won't allow any post with the H word in it....but it's fine to quote the man...
February 5th, 2007 at 11:53 pmTP - your vile troll is here again - clean up at post #56 please.
February 5th, 2007 at 11:53 pmActually, if chimpy were taking an oath to tell the truth in court, he'd be blubbering and snot-nosed, and whining for his mommy.
February 5th, 2007 at 11:53 pmI guess I look on the bright side, if rachel is here, then our kids are safer right now.
February 5th, 2007 at 11:54 pmThose are all programs for the lower class, not the middle class. Why bill the article as an attack on the middle class, then? Are the middle class so wrapped up in their own self-interests that only the perception of a threat directed straight at them will get them to take notice?
Those are all programs for the lower class, and they don't even do enough for low-income workers before any of those proposed cuts. Programs for low-income workers always leave a group of people in "limbo", that is to say, the "working poor limbo", because they cut off the help at a point before it would not longer be needed. You end up earning too little to make due, but you earn too much to qualify for assistance. It literally pays to work less, if you can get away with it.
What these programs need are overhauls to make them more efficient and capable of closing the gap, or getting people out of that "limbo". It doesn't need more money, necessarily, just better management.
Of course, I know Bush won't do that. He seems like your typical anti-entitlement, "FDR ruined everything" Republican. Man, even my dad, a long-time Ditto-head, doesn't buy that crap anymore... he wants to vote for Hillary just to get universal health care through! But I digress. ^_-
February 5th, 2007 at 11:59 pm#60 Terry
that's funny,
jesus, these trolls really are ugly beasts
damn, iwanted to digress with you sara but my batteries are dying , timefor bed
see all tomorow
perhaps with fewer trolls stinking up theplace....
buonanotte!
February 6th, 2007 at 12:11 amThe MASTER PLAN goes into effect. Just what the neo-cons and theo-cons wanted. Massive military spending increases that would then taken out of expenditures for social programs.
Congrats Bushie and the rest of the tools.......
Is there more money for Iraqi schools than American schools in this budget?
-GSD
February 6th, 2007 at 12:12 amS,...?
[SQUEEK! SQUEEK!]
[SQUEEK! SQUEEK!]
February 6th, 2007 at 1:09 amAnd this is surprising... how? Bush is the biggest corporate lackey in our entire government.
Corporate power will always rule our policies unless something is done about it. Democrats aren't exactly innocent either. They stand up for the middle class more than Republicans do, but they will never do anything to hurt the corporate masters of this country. Where do you think campaign contributions come from? Thin air? I think not.
This black and white view of Democrats and Republicans is what enables our culture to continuously dominated by the power elite. Support your independent candidates, research third parties. There is no such thing as a wasted vote.
In the end, the power comes from the people. But the question is: Can the people break free of ignorance and realize what's happening and become politically involved? Or will the feeling of apathy pushed upon us by those who seek to profit off tyranny prevail?
The democratic system works, people. It simply must be defended by its participants or else it goes to waste.
February 6th, 2007 at 1:18 amHere`s your candidate, served up on a stick with an apple in his mouth. Read the truth about Obama and weep creeps. Hey... I made a funny! Weep Creeps! Your new title.
What is a modern day bleeding heart liberal? A Weep Creep.
I smell burning bodies in the air tonight. Must be a big roasting going on in the Middle East tonight that would be for sure. When the wind is just right, I swear I can smell burning bodies, and that is no shit.
It makes me want to eat meat strangely enough whenever I smell that smell. Carnivore instinct I suppose.
Pass the gravy?
http://www.obamatruth.org/
The Truth About Obama - ObamaTruth.com
How Michelle Obama’s desire to get “some corporate experience†... Not only was Obama sworn in as a freshman U.S. senator, but he reaped big bucks from book ...
February 6th, 2007 at 1:33 amTypical republican Reagan and Bush (41) did the same.
February 6th, 2007 at 2:36 amThis budget reveals the level of insanity of this criminal junta. This "Raw Deal" is a turkey that won't fly.
February 6th, 2007 at 6:56 amKarl Marx approval rating continues to move up.
February 6th, 2007 at 7:48 amWe may just have to take to the streets before Bush and Cheney's madness is over in two years. They are without a doubt the worst administration in American history.
February 6th, 2007 at 8:23 amJust don't touch my tax cut. I've worked too hard to achieve my business and I'm not giving it up to some poor, crack-addicted welfare queens!
February 6th, 2007 at 9:05 amLook, RichRepub.
I know you're a little sore about how your daughters turned out.
But are you sure it's the crack they're addicted to?
Maybe if you had spent more time with them while they were growing up,
and less time counting your money, you wouldn't be in this jam.
Please stop blaming the rest of the world for your personal shortcomings.
It may not be to late to save them, and yourself.
A little love goes a long way... find the courage within yourself and please
February 6th, 2007 at 10:25 amgive it a shot. We'll all be better off if it works.
rich repub
February 6th, 2007 at 10:30 amyou sound like a caricature
What do you people want, guns or butter? There is a war on dufus`s and all you can do is bitch that the government will now be serving you margarine instead of real butter. Get over yourselves and make a sacrifice for your country will you?
Just eat the margarine and say- Thank you Uncle Sam that was very deliscous, may I please have another- and all will be well.
Comment by sheesh — February 5, 2007 @ 8:46 pm
And how is a $162,000 average tax cut equate to sacrifice? There's a war on dufus! You don't lower taxes during a war!
February 6th, 2007 at 11:14 amThose are all programs for the lower class, not the middle class. Why bill the article as an attack on the middle class, then?
Though this statement isn't entirely accurate, by making things even harder on the lower class, what are the odds that they will pull themselves up by the noose Dubyah's tied for them into middle class ranks?
Ummm...slim to none.
February 6th, 2007 at 11:27 amYa know I just can't get you liberals and your Democrat party! Hell, you'd probably bitch if you were hung with a new rope!
Are you guys trying to say that you would support the war and it's continuous nature as long as I don't get a tax break?
February 6th, 2007 at 12:22 pmBush's war on America continues.
February 6th, 2007 at 1:07 pm78.
Sarcasm here? I hope.
Anyway, that's a really big leap, but it wouldn't hurt if you actually helped this country in some way other than raising trust-fund brats.
February 6th, 2007 at 1:13 pmHow low can Bush's numbers go??
February 6th, 2007 at 2:12 pmJust which of these is a middle class program????
None actually.
The middle class does not have programs, we pay for them.
February 6th, 2007 at 3:48 pmpoor bob C - how's it feel up there on your taxpayer cross?
February 6th, 2007 at 4:16 pmWhy am I not surprised that CHIMPya is seeking to destroy the middle class of America before he leaves office, or is impeached, convicted of War Crimes, and executed for his High Crimes along with Torticola Cheney, Condom-lesser Rice, Karl Rove, all the rest of Bushland Uber Allies and the Nazi Fascist repugnant-repubs? After all, the middle class of America is the backbone of the country, and he figures if he
February 6th, 2007 at 4:39 pmcan deal it a mortal blow, they will be easy pickings for his predecessor who he figures will be the flip-flopping Bush anus-kisser McCain...WELL, I'VE GOT NEWS FOR YOU, CHIMPya and Bushland Uber Allies, Americans are not going to stand idly by and let you do whatever you want to benefit the rich and powerful...YOU ARE COMING DOWN, Bush!!!!!
PLEASE understand that neocon are using this bullshit war to empty States... Yours (the United States) and through your debt, all (all existing States). Switzerland, EU, China are supporting your debt, running out of 'burned' money, emptying too. This is a without any fund - ground fundation - mechanism. Ground zero was the new tabula rasa : State tabula rasa. Back to zero point, the neocon ideology is now emptying (-10 ; -100 ; -1'000 ; -1'000'000'000'000) the States, all world States.
PLEASE read Deleuze - Guattary about War machine against the State, about War machine as a purpose to destroy the State http://www.amazon.com/Thousand-Plateaus-Capitalism-Schizophrenia/dp/0816614024
February 6th, 2007 at 6:25 pmIts going to take about 10 million of us. To get off our asses and
march in Wash. D.C.. And demand congress starts Impeaching
these Bush crime family S.O.B.s..
When this Crime Family and the State of Israel launches the
February 7th, 2007 at 3:59 amnext coming war unprovoked with Iran. Let that be the spark
that ignites us all into taking action.
It's really interesting when you examine the public's perception. Two of our new public opinion studies conclude that the public has little difficulty understanding the magnitude of the fiscal challenge facing the nation. And while the public is also willing to consider tough tradeoffs to address the growing national debt, support for program cuts, reforms or tax increases comes with one key condition: finding ways to increase trust that their leaders will spend their money responsibly and for the purposes intended. So, there are some interesting and timely topics at hand. For more info go to http://www.publicagenda.org/pubengage/pe_facingup.cfm
February 8th, 2007 at 11:42 am