MADNESS

ellenjoy4@hotmail.com — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 22:22:38 GMT

here are some fun facts i was reminded of at a meeting today with a rep from the congressional budget office.

since 2001, the federal government has gone from a $5.6 trillion surplus to a $3.8 TRILLION deficit. 47% of that deficit can be attributed to the bush tax cuts. 38% can be attributed to defense and homeland security. only 9% is due to spending on entitlements (medicare), and only 6% is domestic discretionary appropriations (e.g. education, social services, etc). republicans continue to preach that social services, education, etc, contribute to "WASTEFUL" spending and deficits. and yet they account for SIX PERCENT when taken altogether and have suffered significant cuts. they are easily affordable in a responsible federal budget.

people like michelle bachmann, norm coleman and john mccain want to continue bush's tax cuts. they preach about wasteful spending and the need for more military power but they will not allow us to bring in any significant REVENUE - i.e. they support continued tax cuts for the very wealthy. if we continue these tax cuts, our economy and nation will be virtually unsustainable. those who don't see this are just simply wrong.

in other words, we all need to check the box next to "barack obama" on november 4. i wish i could vote against michelle bachmann but she's not in my district. and begrudgingly i will vote for al franken.

i know you all know all this i just think we need to remember these facts every time we are encountered by someone of different "beliefs" (that is, ignorance of the facts, or motivations that are not in line with the good of the majority).

relly419

MADNESS