The Middle Class Is Suffering

The Republicans' old talking point about Democrats was that they never had any ideas. Isn't it funny how rare that one is heard these days? Probably because the Republicans are being held accountable as the party with bad ideas, a theory validated by the election last November. Not only have they failed miserably in Iraq and elsewhere abroad, the home front has truly suffered. Don't fear America, there is a new way out of the situation we are in. Democrats truly are a party of ideas that are geared to help the Middle Class and everyone outside the top 1% who do not need the extra assistance Republicans have afforded them in the last 6-12 years.

From the Democratic Policy Committee:

Democrats will work to provide Americans with more sustainable and affordable sources of energy. Democrats are working to pass legislation that will enhance America's security by reducing the nation's dependence on foreign and unsustainable energy sources and the risks of global warming by requiring reductions in greenhouse gas emissions; diversifying and expanding our use of secure, efficient, and environmentally friendly energy supplies and technologies, by repealing tax giveaways to big energy companies; reducing the burdens on consumers of rising energy prices; and preventing energy price gouging, profiteering and market manipulation.

Democrats will raise the minimum wage. In February, after a ten year battle, both houses of Congress have passed versions of H.R. 2, the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007. The bill, which will raise the federal minimum wage from $5.15/hour to $7.25/hour in three steps over two years, will benefit 13 million workers and help reverse years of wage stagnation without harming the economy. Of those who would be directly or indirectly benefited, nearly 59 percent are women and 46 percent are their family’s sole breadwinner. Moreover, this raise of $2.10 per hour will benefit well-over six million children whose parents will receive an increase in earnings. As the House and Senate work to clear the bill for the President’s signature, the nation can be assured that Democrats are dedicated to giving workers their long overdue raise.

Democrats will restore fiscal responsibility to Washington, while providing tax relief to the middle class. As an important first step in restoring our nation’s fiscal security, S. Con. Res. 21 would bring the budget back into balance by 2012. Under the resolution, gross debt as a share of gross domestic product will begin to fall after 2009. And spending as a share of gross domestic product will decline in every year after 2008. The plan also restores crucial budget enforcement provisions such as strong pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) budget rules that proved to be highly effective in promoting fiscal discipline and producing record surpluses in the 1990s. In addition, the budget calls for providing meaningful tax relief to the middle class.

Democrats are also working to eliminate unfair tax burdens on middle-class Americans. Skyrocketing health care, education, housing, and gas costs have placed middle-class families in a tight economic squeeze. Making matters worse, more and more of these families are being forced to pay the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT), which was originally intended only for the super-wealthy to ensure that they paid a minimum tax. S. Con. Res. 21 includes AMT relief for middle-class taxpayers, to prevent millions of Americans from being subjected to the tax.

There is so much more in the briefing, including all the charts and graphs that show how Bush has hurt our economy and our nation here at home. I know it is a partisan document, but so what? Republicans don't apologize for their propaganda and we are not going to apologize for addressing the facts and reality our nation is facing.