Beholden Politicians eyeing ever-looming elections…

Weink at leisure classes, Burn labor

Conspiring “partners” 
compromise principle, sacrifice people 

Deficit deal destroys U.S. core

Excerpting, editing, comment by Carolyn Bennett

In poll after poll, Americans have expressed the belief “that the wealthiest two percent” have failed to do what they must do — “pay their fair share.” U.S. Representative Donna Edwards was speaking today on the Democracy Now program.

“[Americans] also know that [the wealthiest] have received tax breaks for the last 10 years; and, contrary to the Republican mantra, [the wealthiest and big corporations] are not job creators. [If they had been], a lot of jobs would have been created.”

While political theater continues now leading into a holiday break through “Labor Day,” U.S. joblessness rises above 20 percent.

Long-term debt Contributing factors: “tax breaks for the wealthy, President [George W.] Bush’s never–paid-for prescription drug bill, wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, financial crisis brought on by irresponsibility of the financial sector.”

The American working, middle and poorer classes are saying, “‘Wait a second. We didn’t do any of this stuff. We haven’t benefited and we shouldn’t have to pay for it.’” 

Rep. Donna Edwards

Congresswoman Edwards continues, “I’m one of those members of Congress, though representing a clearly progressive district, who thinks the voice of the American people is saying, ‘We don’t agree that the top two percent should just skate while 98 percent bear the entire burden of government.’”

For 30 years, the right wing and tea partiers have made no secret of their desire to disestablish government and the legislation just passed reflects, “Cuts in federal government [rippling] out into our states and localities — virtually decimating government.”

Where “will we find the money to rebuild our roads and our bridges and our wastewater systems? 

 “Where will we find the money to invest in education, research and development and manufacturing needed for workers to get back to work in the 21st century?”

In a formal statement published on her website about the Passage of Budget Control Act 2011, U.S. Member of Congress Donna Edwards said this —

“I stood with over half the Democratic Caucus in opposing this unfair, unbalanced attack on poor and working families.

“Our most vulnerable, time and again, have been asked to sacrifice while corporations and the wealthy are required to give little or nothing. … [T]his legislation continues that unacceptable trend.”

It doesn't have to be this way. We can do better. We must do better. 

“I remain resolved to protect Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and programs that benefit millions of Americans,” Edwards said.

“I look forward to the work of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction in hopes that a truly fair and balanced approach can be taken to address short- and long-term budgetary challenges — revenue increases, an end to costly wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and an end to tax breaks for the wealthy and corporations that ship jobs overseas.

“The real agenda should be one that creates jobs, rebuilds roads, bridges, water and sewer systems, and grows our economy for future generations.”

Sources and notes

“Rep. Donna Edwards on Why She Voted Against Debt Deal: ‘A Bad Framework for the Future,’” August 3, 2011, http://www.democracynow.org/2011/8/3/rep_donna_edwards_on_why_she

Amy Goodman’s lead into this segment of the Democracy Now program: “President Obama has officially signed legislation to increase the U.S. debt ceiling in time to avoid a national default. The $2.1 trillion deficit-reduction plan cleared its final hurdle in the Senate yesterday, passing with a 74-to-26 vote. Six Democrats and 19 Republicans opposed the measure. The bill’s signing came roughly 10 hours before the deadline for Washington to raise its borrowing limit.

“The deal includes no new tax revenue from wealthy Americans and no additional stimulus for the lagging economy.

“It includes a provision to create a joint committee of 12 legislators charged with finding $1.5 trillion in deficit cuts. The committee must hold its first meeting in 45 days and is expected to set in motion a lobbying frenzy.”

Congresswoman Edwards released the statement after passage in the House (269-161) of the Budget Control Act of 2011, S. 365, http://donnaedwards.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=54&sectiontree=29,54&itemid=411

Donna F. Edwards, Member of U.S. Congress (Maryland)

Congresswoman Edwards won election as a Democrat to the One Hundred Tenth Congress and has won reelection to the two succeeding Congresses (June 17, 2008-present).

Credentials Edwards brings to the U.S. Congress: clerk, District of Columbia Superior Court Judge; law practice; academic degrees Juris Doctor (Franklin Pierce Law Center, Concord, N. H.) and Bachelor of Arts (Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, N.C.); other service: National Network to End Domestic Violence executive director, Center for a New Democracy executive director, The Arca Foundation executive director where she worked to

Secure a ‘living wage’ for working people.

Ensure the independence of the federal judiciary.

End capital punishment.

Protect Social Security, and

Promote labor and human rights both nationally and internationally

In the U.S. Congress, Congresswoman Donna F. Edwards represents Maryland’s 4th Congressional District comprising portions of Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties. 

In the 112th Congress, she serves on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee where she sits on: the subcommittees on Highways and Transit; Water Resources and Environment, Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.  On the Science and Technology Committee, she sits on subcommittees: Investigations and Oversight (Ranking Member) and Space and Aeronautics; and serves on the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct and on the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission

http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=E000290

Biography: http://donnaedwards.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=3&sectiontree=3

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