Blog: Votes Just Aren’t There?

President Obama speaks to what is just when he demands that increased revenues be on the table in discussions of deficit reduction and avoiding default on the debt. The Republican response continues to be that they will not allow an increase in taxes.  In response to the president on Wednesday, “Speaker John A. Boehner said the ‘votes simply aren’t there’ to raise taxes to cut the deficit.” http://www.cq.com/budgettracker.do

What if the Republicans block revenues from being on the table? 

What if there are massive cuts to match the level needed to preclude default until after the 2012 elections?

I believe Mr. Boehner and other Republicans will live with the consequences of that decision as people experience the loss of supports they expect from the federal government. 

• The president has agreed to some changes in Medicare, the Republicans push for major cuts to Medicaid – what will this do to our elders who are in long-term care facilities, as both these programs are critical for that support?
• SNAP (Food Stamps), WIC, TEFAP and other nutrition programs have already been cut in the 2011 budget, with deep gashes proposed in the Republican versions of a 2012 spending bill.  What will happen to our children (over 20% of whom rely on these programs) when they lack the nutrition to learn and become productive citizens?

The list could go on. We, as a nation, cannot afford these injustices to members of our communities, and we (NETWORK) will do all we can to prevent them from happening. 

Mr. Boehner, will blocking the vote to avoid default – for the sake of continuing huge tax loopholes for businesses and tax benefits for the wealthiest among us - really play well in the voting booth?