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Bernie Sanders Blows the Lid Off the ‘Bipartisan’ Plan To Cut Taxes for Corporations and the Wealthy
In a letter to his Senate colleagues today, Bernie Sanders exposed the bipartisan Simpson/Bowles plan for what it really is. A scheme to lower taxes on the wealthy and corporations while passing the burden to the rest of us.
Sanders laid out the 5 areas of Simpson-Bowles that he believes Democrats should strongly oppose. Simpson-Bowles would cut Social Security benefits for current retirees, cut veterans’ benefits, raise the retirement age to 69, and cut Social Security benefits for middle class workers. Simpson-Bowles would also cut taxes for corporations and the wealthy. The Simpson-Bowles plan would reduce taxes to an even lower level than the Bush tax cuts. Taxes on corporations and the wealthy would be reduced to 23%-29%. Simpson-Bowles also would increase the gas tax by 15 cents, increase Medicare premiums, establish a territorial taxation system that would allow corporations to avoid US taxes by establishing subsidiaries overseas. Simpson-Bowles would also increase taxes on low income workers by 14.5% starting in 2021, and it would make fewer people eligible for SSI, CHIP, Medicaid, LIHEAP, WIC, Head Start, the Earned Income Tax Credit, and the Refundable Child Credit.
Sanders urged his Democratic colleagues to reject Simpson-Bowles because it would, “cause major economic pain to nearly every America while lowering tax rates for millionaires, billionaires, and large corporations even more than President Bush.”
There is a reason why Mitt Romney and the Republican campaigned so hard for Simpson-Bowles. It is exactly what the Republican Party wants. It slashes entitlements and passes the pain on to the middle and lower classes, while lowering taxes for corporations and the so called “job creators.” The rich feel no pain and get all of the gain from Simpson-Bowles.
The reason why this plan never went anywhere with Obama is because it violates several of the elements that he believes any deal on deficit reduction should contain. If congressional Democrats adopted Simpson-Bowles as their negotiating framework, they would lose before they even sat down at the table. Simpson-Bowles contains everything that the right could ever hope for. This is why it being championed by corporate America and the Republican Party.
Starting negotiations from the Simpson-Bowles framework would be like negotiating at all. Earlier today, President Obama asked Americans to make their voices heard on this issue. Call or write to your local representatives and senators. Let them know, that you won’t stand for any deficit deal that contains the Simpson-Bowles framework.
If you don’t stand up now, the wealthy’s gain will be your pain.
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26 Responses to Bernie Sanders Blows the Lid Off the ‘Bipartisan’ Plan To Cut Taxes for Corporations and the Wealthy
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Kim
Nov. 28th, 2012 at 5:08 pm
Better to fall of the fiscal cliff than to continue tax cuts for the wealthy and corporate Welfare Queens.
No deal is better than a bad deal for the 98%.
AZZIZA
Nov. 28th, 2012 at 5:48 pm
I think republicans are draining our country dry..sometime I wonder who are these people do they have a heart for Americans..know matter how rich you are you only have one vote..we the people matter..we now know, as a people> how to win !! we will not stop our march to bring our country back to her glory((()))
Morri
Nov. 28th, 2012 at 7:15 pm
Cut current Social Security – oh, brilliant. My disabled husband and I will be homeless; we can barely afford rent on a crappy old apartment as it is.
You bastards – how about you cut the $8 million a year PER Senator operating expenses you spend of our money? How about you make the bailout recipients pay back the money (no, they really didn’t.) How about you cut the bloated military that is killing this country financially?
Anyone who thinks the Dems are any different than the Repugs has got to be living in a fantasy world.
galactusx
Nov. 28th, 2012 at 10:57 pm
Most if not all of what you describe is a heaping steaming pile courtesy of REPUBLICANS so why did you have to stick that stupid part at the end? I was agreeing with you until that. Spare us.
John Kelly
Nov. 28th, 2012 at 7:41 pm
Senator Sanders is right! Why do we put up with all this republican nonsense about tax cuts for the rich. Line them up and ship these draft and war dodging Idiots. To Afghanistan, make sure you put them in Kandahar province with a BB gun to ward off terrorists.
luciboo
Nov. 28th, 2012 at 9:03 pm
I never thought Simpson/Bowles was a good plan. There has to be a better solution than eviscerating the social safety net that so many people depend on so taxes can be low for richer people. It is unamerican thinking.
bob lawler
Nov. 28th, 2012 at 9:20 pm
Why are these REPUBLICAN terrorists not in prison?
Anyone that works for the downfall of OUR COUNTRY
in my eyes is a TERRORIST.We have 12 years of obstruction to AMERICAS greatness to charge this
political gang with.
Melissa
Nov. 28th, 2012 at 9:35 pm
Sanders is so right. Might I add, for a party that calls itself “pro-life,” your proposed cuts to programs that sustain life disgust me and also disgust my foster child and veteran father.
As for Social Security, I have paid into it since 15 years of age. Leave it alone. You nasty politicians get to retire on my taxes and get health care via my taxes. How dare you.
Terry Saxon
Nov. 29th, 2012 at 4:44 am
Senator Sanders is spot on as usual. Negotiating from Simpson-Bowles reminds me of negotiating with our old Soviet adversaries,w/ the GOP in that role.Clearly stated,the strategy is: What’s mine is mine; what’s yours is negotiable.
Never play chess with pigeons: they knock over the pieces, crap on the board and strut around victorious
Tiffany Lathrop
Nov. 29th, 2012 at 12:41 pm
Obama and Romney having a nice lunch together does not bode well for the 98% in this country. Obama dining with someone as corrupt as Romney is creating much cognitive dissonance in my head and I am now wondering if I really had any meaningful choice whatsoever when I voted for president. I am feeling a little betrayed by this whole lunch thingy.
Shiva (Moderator)
Nov. 29th, 2012 at 1:08 pm
I don’t find this lunch thing unusual at all. Previous presidents have done it, and I don’t see any change in Obama stance coming out of it
harris stein
Nov. 29th, 2012 at 12:48 pm
The problem with Simpson Bowles is the Bowles part. The democrats on the comission were afraid to push back and wanted to appear bipartisan. The reality is that it wasn’t any sweat off their backs. The democrats on the Simpson Bowles Comission could go home knowing that they wouldn’t be in any political trouble. So they gave in to whatever the republicans on the commision wanted in the name of American competitiveness. The economic fact is that gargantuan tax cuts only work on the long term, years and years, to even begin to create an increase in economic activity. That’s because the ultra wealthy never do the right thing. They just take any windfall and put it in the bank instead of investing it.
The solution to American competitiveness or lack of it, is a solution in search of a problem. In fact the real problem is the intransigence and stodginess of the American corporate culture that stifles innovation and creates an environment of fear among employees.
Second Amendment Democrat
Nov. 29th, 2012 at 12:53 pm
All the questions about, “why aren’t they in prison,” etc. One simple answer – Fox News. Roger Ailes, former GOP chief strategist, instead has created a 24/7 distribution scheme to implement and proselytize the Big Lie. He hired talking heads with no conscience and brass balls, willing to say ANYTHING to make the ignorant believe the rich need their money.
And it worked.
As long as America allows Fox to continue to stream their racist, sexist, anti-human message that trickle=down economics is the Messiah, the mouth-breathers that watch this crap will continue to work against themselves – and the rest of us.
IF you want to stop the lies, the partisan in-fighting and the flow of jobs and wealth to overseas billionaire accounts, STOP FOX NOW!
It is the ONLY thing that can prevent America’s melt-down, you cannot legislate against greed (though Congress has certainly proved you can legislate FOR greed.) If FACTS and TRUTH are once again allowed to be heard, we have a small chance. Otherwise, better get your moving shoes on, America is the next third-word nation. Chinese forced labor working OUR factories for their wages, so the Fox watchers can buy Nikes with “Made in USA” stamped on them – and it’s the EXACT SAME workers that made their last pair in China, before they were shipped here to live in our recycled foreclosed homes/barracks…
Cynthia Congdon
Nov. 30th, 2012 at 4:46 am
Bravo to all the lovely SMART people who point out that Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid are NOT entitlements, but earned benefits that we’ve paid for with every paycheck we earned. Congressional benefits like health insurance for life after just one term served, embodies the definition of entitlement! A simple vocabulary lesson could fix this issue!
As I read through these comments, I hear the voice of reason, sense and intellect. Do I think that Tea Party Republicans are evil, traitorous, terrorists? YES. The very moment anyone of them put ink to paper to sign a ‘pledge’ of any kind, they should have been disqualified to hold office. The ONLY pledge to which ANY public servant can be bound in performing their job, is their oath of office. WE have ALL brought this on ourselves by allowing these people to soil and foul the very promise they are compelled to make upon taking a seat at the table of our Government, thus rendering that promise void. What did we expect? A good outcome with blatant conflicts of interest? Until we INSIST that the fundamental rules of service are enforced for EVERY elected official in DC, it is entirely moot to argue about abuse, injustice, traitorous- unAmerican acts, and disasterous results. Our forefathers were BRILLIANT, to the syllable, when establishing the details by which we would govern ourselves. We have allowed the dishonor of their hard work by watching the sale our government to a wealthy few, including foreigners who now have a voice in OUR elections through Super Pacs and corporations! We MUST help Senator Sanders and others trying to fix our broken government. Nothing meaningful can be done to stop the insanity, if our foundation is so broken. Dysfunction yields more dysfunction, until the ‘Great Experiment’ crashes into failure.
I see hints of the downfall everywhere; e.g., to silence the despicable Fox News garbage would be a win for the traitors trying to remove our fundamental Rights, like Free…
becky wendorf
Nov. 29th, 2012 at 6:37 pm
abolish taxes. Tax was established in Pres Lincoln’s time to pay back the cost of the Civil War. Before that there were no taxes.
ESTABLISH THE FAIR TAX. This creates new REVENUE.
Every time some person buys something, there is a tax.
Locals get 25% of it.
States get 50% of it.
Fed gets only 25%. Let the Fed figure out how they are going to run a government based on only 25%. Maybe they will finally cut spending, especially on military.
If you always do what you have always done, you will always get what you have always gotten.
End taxation. (13 colonies broke away from King George because of taxation)
End war. war is profit for the MIC – military industrial complex
End benefits for elected officials. treat all people equal
End BIG money in government. get money out of government
End BIG insurance in medical. give doctors back their clinics and let the Drs. bill their patients.
Abolish Medicaid and Medicare. every commercial I see you MUST buy a 2nd plan to cover what Medicare or Medicaid does NOT cover.
Establish 3 health care plans based on individual’s income. Let people choose if they want to buy health ins.
GET THE MONEY CHANGERS OUT OF WASHINGTON.
Shiva (Moderator)
Nov. 29th, 2012 at 7:14 pm
Actually taxes were just one reason the Constitution was written. The Articles of Confederation provided no means of paying for a military.
The colony’s broke from good King George not because of taxes, but because of being taxed without representation.
The last thing I want to do is give money to the states. Look at Wisconsin, Florida, Michigan and the others that are owned by a certain rich family
Mary S.
Nov. 29th, 2012 at 6:38 pm
All this talk of cutting “entitlements” has lulled everyone, except a few, into thinking it’s ok to cut Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. With the exception of Medicaid, these social programs ARE NOT “entitlements”. Entitlements are benefits, or gifts, or positions given to one by birthright. So, Social Security and Medicare are not entitlements. They are EARNED BENEFITS. They have been paid for out of every paycheck one has earned. And out of the Social Security stipend, comes payment for Medicare…EVERY MONTH. So, no! You “lawmakers” have NO RIGHT to even consider cutting Social Security and/or Medicare. And, you owe back all the billions you have “borrowed” from Social Security. Stop. You have raided our lifelines enough. Pay it back!
Inez
Nov. 29th, 2012 at 10:55 pm
Entitlement description: Being elected to represent your contituents and then doing nothing. Not signing any bills to benefit individuals, just signing a paycheck,getting free medical care, and all other percs the Amrericans give.
Terry Saxon
Nov. 29th, 2012 at 7:24 pm
Unlike Shiva’s view of the lunch, I have to totally give it up for our President.The implications of the menu choice are unavoidable.
As a 65 year old incorrigible adolescent, I applaud the presidential foray into the rarefied heights of cryptic humor normally reserved for Stewart and Colbert.
White turkey chili indeed; only white turkey stew could have been more fitting.
Inez
Nov. 29th, 2012 at 11:21 pm
Check out ten numbers rich would like fudged….alternet/econom/tennumber... 11/23/12 BolesSimpson at work?
Inez
Nov. 29th, 2012 at 11:25 pm
complete email adddress…..http//alternet.org/econom/tennumbersrichwuldlikefudged……………..11/23/12……This is what Cpngress wantsto protect from increased taxes.
Addie
Nov. 30th, 2012 at 2:19 am
I’m really sick of the GOP/TP walking all over middle class/poor Americans.
Who voted these people into office?
They are there ONLY for the rich and they could care less about America or Americans.
THEY are the reason our country is so messed up. It’s time that WE put an end to their rein of terror!
oakland
Nov. 30th, 2012 at 10:42 am
Time to double down on the class war they started. Take it over the cliff. They have more to lose than we do, and I know of no other way to get a 30% cut to defense. The only government spending corporations and politicians object to is the money they don’t get. Full speed ahead – over the cliff!
Dana
Nov. 30th, 2012 at 11:15 am
There’s a simple solution staring us right in the face: Get us out of our free-trade agreements and bring back import tariffs. When it becomes more expensive to import cheap crap from China than it does to make it here, watch this economy turn around.
Don’t listen to any econ fundamentalist, including Democrat Paul Krugman, who tells you this won’t work (it will) or that it’ll leave the poor developing countries hung out to dry (it won’t–they’re full-grown adults, can’t they make their own economies where we are not using them as low-paid slaves?).
When this Republic began, most of the federal revenue CAME from tariffs. This was true right on up to the Civil War, when we started a federal income tax, and then later when the Constitution was amended to make that permanent. Even then the tariff revenue was high enough that the feds could get by with reasonable tax rates for everyone.
Since the free trade agreements went into effect such as NAFTA and our joining the WTO, we’ve seen the lowest percentage of federal revenues from tariffs EVER. It’s no wonder we’re being bled dry.
This is what we need though. Tax the imports. Til we do that, everything else is rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic.
Richard J Perry
Nov. 30th, 2012 at 12:33 pm
The solution is public financing of all state and federal elections. The system we have now favors the wealthy and corporations. We no longer have a seat at the table. Until we force change on how we fund our political system nothing will change. Our elected officials are supposed to be “public servants” not corporate servants.
A Human Being
Nov. 30th, 2012 at 9:15 pm
America is only a portion of the worlds problem. This whole system needs to be abolished. A clean slate for the world with as little blood shed as possible. We’ve been prisoners to our own lives long enough and we should as human beings be able to live freely and instead of profiting on greed, lies and violence. We are divided by many things: Self purpose, self gain, titles, careers, culture and of course what we’re told to and taught to believe as ‘facts’ — an outstanding number of the worlds population are awake. We are the people who are looked at as delinquents, nobodies, unimportant. Poor. We are unified in the sense that we give and appreciate and take when given. We assist others in our situations be it we’re on welfare or working a minimum wage job that has us buying less then enough food to last us a month. We are looked at as black sheep to our families, those we could once call friend and society as a whole. We are our own society. Those who simply just get by. We are smart. Denied opportunities in life and for some reason the wealthy continue to make it more difficult for us to even be healthy. They fear us. They know we aren’t the brainwashed tools they’ve raised over the many years of television, media and entertainment. We are smart. Loving. Giving. And we are tired of being screwed. The Earth is tired of being polluted and so are our minds. Our lives have value and this planet will thrive as long as we put an end to this evil propaganda. Change is good. And it’s happening.