Liberal groups urge MA delegation to avoid slashing social services while working on fiscal cliff

The Republican ^

[matt04]

— On Thursday, a crowd of around 250 people gathered at a public library in the urban neighborhood of Roxbury. They were brought together by unions and community organizing groups. One woman addressed the crowd in Spanish; many talked about their experiences on Medicare or Social Security.

They held signs reading: “The people have spoken. Protect services” and “Raise revenue.”

Congress this week will begin to debate how to address the “fiscal cliff” – the expiration of several tax cuts at the end of the year at the same time as major cuts to domestic and military spending, referred to as “sequestration,” are scheduled to go into effect. Economists warn this could drive the country back into recession. To reach a compromise, Democratic President Barack Obama is demanding that taxes be raised on the wealthy. Republican House Speaker John Boehner is demanding that cuts to Medicare, Medicaid and food stamps be part of the discussion.

Liberal organizing groups in Massachusetts are putting pressure on members of Congress to avoid cutting social services and entitlement programs. But at the same time, the members of Congress will face competing pressures from other local and national groups – to avoid sharp cuts to industries such as defense and health care that are vital to Massachusetts’ economy and to look out for taxpayers’ interests.

“We’re saying hold the 1 to 2 percent accountable, increase their taxes, invest in proper jobs and most importantly don’t cut Social Security,” said Steven Tolman, president of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO, which delivered petitions making that argument to Massachusetts U.S. Sens. John Kerry, a Democrat, and Scott Brown, a Republican.

[COBOL2Java]

Say, is that an Obamaphone in her hand?

[unixfox]

When they say “Raise Revenues” what they REALLY mean is “RAISE TAXES” on the “wealthy” Of course they don’t want their taxes raised.

They are stuck on retarded.

[nonamer]

When they say “Raise Revenues” what they REALLY mean is “RAISE TAXES” on the “wealthy” Of course they don’t want their taxes raised. That's the problem! Raising taxes doesn't result in higher revenue long-term. These people will never understand there are consequences to this simplistic approach to economics.

[grobdriver]

The people have spoken

Gimmee, gimmee, gimmee!

How disgusting is this?