By AATTP Contributing Author, E. Henry Schoenberger
There is no rational way to object to – or have to negotiate such simple and sane proposals to enhance the future of America and improve the lives of so many Americans. These direct quotes from the President of the United States of America’s State of the Union Address only make sense: to anyone who is reasonable and concerned for America’s future.
It is our generation’s task, then, to reignite the true engine of America’s economic growth – a rising, thriving middle class.
“It is our unfinished task to make sure that this government works on behalf of the many, and not just the few; that it encourages free enterprise, rewards individual initiative, and opens the doors of opportunity to every child across this great nation.”
We should do what leaders in both parties have already suggested, and save hundreds of billions of dollars by getting rid of tax loopholes and deductions for the well-off and well-connected. After all, why would we choose to make deeper cuts to education and Medicare just to protect special interest tax breaks? How is that fair? How does that promote growth?
“A tax code that lowers incentives to move jobs overseas, and lowers tax rates for businesses and manufacturers that create jobs right here in America. That’s what tax reform can deliver.”
Deficit reduction alone is not an economic plan.
“Our first priority is making America a magnet for new jobs and manufacturing.
Now is the time to reach a level of research and development not seen since the height of the Space Race. And today, no area holds more promise than our investments in American energy.”
We must do more to combat climate change.
“I propose we use some of our oil and gas revenues to fund an Energy Security Trust that will drive new research and technology to shift our cars and trucks off oil for good.”
Tonight, I propose a “Fix-It-First” program to put people to work as soon as possible on our most urgent repairs, like the nearly 70,000 structurally deficient bridges across the country.
“Families with solid credit who want to buy a home are being rejected…families who have never missed a payment and want to refinance are being told no… holding our entire economy back… need to fix it…now, there’s a bill in this Congress…give every responsible homeowner in America the chance to save $3,000 a year by refinancing at today’s rates. Democrats and Republicans have supported it before. What are we waiting for…?”
I propose working with states to make high-quality preschool available to every child in America. Every dollar we invest in high-quality early education can save more than $7 later on…
” …the time has come to pass comprehensive immigration reform.”
I ask Congress to declare that women should earn a living equal to their efforts, and finally pass the Paycheck Fairness Act this year.
“No one who works full-time should have to live in poverty … raise the federal minimum wage to $9 an hour.”
…by the end of next year, our war in Afghanistan will be over.
“I’m announcing a nonpartisan commission to improve the voting experience in America. We can fix this, and we will. The American people demand it. And so does our democracy.”
Police chiefs are asking our help to get weapons of war and massive ammunition magazines off our streets, because they are tired of being outgunned…the countless other communities ripped open by gun violence – they deserve a simple vote.
IT’S TIME FOR THE TEAPUBLICAN PARTY TO ACT IN GOOD FAITH TOWARD AMERICANS.
To experience more of Henry Schoenberger’s work and to preview his riveting new book, “How We Got Swindled,” visit his blog: The 5th Estate
I would love to see this all come to pass. I even like his ideas of how to combat fringe groups in the Middle East and stuff.. But he didn’t touch on Guantanamo, Drones, Indefinite Detentions, and US approved assassinations.
Yes, I like to speak about what is not said.. Here’s another, the healthcare industry needs addressing, the education system needs a decent boost.. We need to have several things in place. The US may begin to heal… Let’s address the over-bloated defense budget. Cut the costs there and you’d have room for all the much needed things back.
I want to see healthcare that works. An education system that doesn’t blindly rubberstamp everything. VA Benefits that actually work. We need to have our soldiers treated well… We need our veterans treated better too. These men and women risked their lives… Put themselves in mortal peril many times… They deserve to be treated fairly… Not sitting at street corners waving signs. You know what I mean?
I want to see the US not only recover, but prosper.. We’ve been in a recession/depression for the last 10 years.. One bubble after another bursting… dotcoms… housing lottery… stock market… China.
I have nothing against the rich, I just think they need to pay their fair share too.
It’s a strange world out there and now I have to learn how to survive in it or I perish. Pretty simple, eh?
AMEN!
And might I add, there is no “upper” or “middle” class anymore.
There is almost no middle class PERIOD!
I was once considered upper middle class.Now I am just below the poverty line
If the American people don’t pull themselves together it will become the “haves ” and the “have nots”.
“We should do what leaders in both parties have already suggested, and save hundreds of billions of dollars by getting rid of tax loopholes and deductions for the well-off and well-connected. After all, why would we choose to make deeper cuts to education and Medicare just to protect special interest tax breaks? How is that fair? How does that promote growth?”–President Obama (2013 State of the Union)
“We are not attacking the corporations,but endeavoring to do away with any evil in them.We are not hostile to them;we are merely determined that they shall be so handled as to SUBSERVE the public good.We draw the line against misconduct,not against wealth.”-Theodore Roosevelt(State of the Union,1902)
“The liberty of Democracy is not safe if the people tolerate the growth of private power to a point where it comes stronger than their democratic state itself.That,in its essence,is fascism-Ownership of government by an individual,or by a group.”-Franklin D.Roosevelt
“Experience demands that man is the only animal which devours its own kind,for I can apply no milder term to the general prey of the rich on the poor”-Thomas Jefferson
Larry—Amen to that, man.