Archive | March 9, 2011

HELP SOUND THE ALARM

Recently, MoveOn.org sent out several political action alerts regarding the federal budget cuts, one of which appears below. This particular action alert speaks to the proposed federal budget cuts to essentials programs and the resulting impact on countless Americans.

MoveOn.org states in the Political Action Alert that, “…the GOP budget is an […] attack on the American Dream. The Republican’s proposed budget cuts will force states to fire 65,000 teachers. [Eliminate] 700,000 jobs. And send 10,000 veterans into homelessness. […] With $100 billion in cuts, their budget would hit […] programs that just about every American depends on—all the while protecting tax giveaways for millionaires.” With that said, MoveOn.org is sounding the alarm and asks for your help to disseminate information about the proposed budgets and the impact on the most vulnerable members of our society.

MoveOn.org’s Political Action Alert on the federal budget cuts to domestic programs reads as follows:

“…It’s time to sound the alarm.

This week, Congress could cut a deal on the budget. And if Republicans get their way, billions will be cut from vital programs that millions of Americans count on—while tax cuts for the richest are protected.

But most people don’t have any idea what’s at stake—and how devastating these cuts would be to their communities—even though the cuts could take effect within weeks. So we’re launching an emergency campaign to spread the word. [They] want to [eliminate] programs with enormous public support, and hope no one notices. So it’s up to all of us to spark a public outcry before it’s too late.

The devastating impact these cuts will have on our country—and on your community—is unprecedented. Check out the list below. If we can get it out to a million people, we can start to sound the alarm […].

Top 10 Worst Things about the […] Budget
The […] budget would:
1. Destroy 700,000 jobs, according to an independent economic analysis.
2. Zero out federal funding for National Public Radio and public television.
3. Cut $1.3 billion from community health centers—which will deprive more than 3 million low-income people of health care over the next few months.
4. Cut nearly a billion dollars in food and health care assistance to pregnant women, new moms, and children.
5. Kick more than 200,000 children out of pre-school by cutting funds for Head Start.
6. Force states to fire 65,000 teachers and aides, dramatically increasing class sizes, thanks to education cuts.
7. Cut some or all financial aid for 9.4 million low- and middle-income college students.
8. Slash $1.6 billion from the National Institutes of Health, a cut that experts say would “send shockwaves” through cancer research, likely result in cuts to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s research, and cause job losses.
9. End the only federal family planning program, including cutting all federal funding that goes to Planned Parenthood to support cancer screenings and other women’s health care.
10. Send 10,000 low-income veterans into homelessness by cutting in half the number of veterans who get housing vouchers this year.”
“Sources:
1. “GOP spending plan would cost 700,000 jobs, new report says,” The Washington Post, February 28, 2011. http://www.moveon.org/r?r=206357&id=26412-18765278-Ua8allx&t=6
2. “GOP budget would cut funding for public broadcasting,” The Washington Independent, February 14, 2011. http://www.moveon.org/r?r=206513&id=26412-18765278-Ua8allx&t=7
3. “NACHC Statement in Response to the Budget from the House Appropriations Committee,” National Association of Community Health Centers website, accessed March 4, 2011. http://www.moveon.org/r?r=206514&id=26412-18765278-Ua8allx&t=8
4.”Bye Bye, Big Bird. Hello, E. Coli.,” The New Republic, February 12, 2011. http://www.moveon.org/r?r=206104&id=26412-18765278-Ua8allx&t=9
House Republican Spending Cuts Target Programs For Children And Pregnant Women. http://www.moveon.org/r?r=206566&id=26412-18765278-Ua8allx&t=10
5. “Obama and the GOP are Spending Cuts: Where’s the Outrage?” Mother Jones, February 18, 2011. http://www.moveon.org/r?r=206569&id=26412-18765278-Ua8allx&t=11
6. Ibid.
7. “Deficit Reduction on the Backs of the Most Vulnerable,” Center for American Progress, March 2011.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=206518&id=26412-18765278-Ua8allx&t=12 (PDF)
8. “The GOP Budget and Cancer—Why New Research Is at Risk,” Politics Daily, February 27, 2011. http://www.moveon.org/r?r=206515&id=26412-18765278-Ua8allx&t=13
“Republican Budget Cuts at Heart of Medical Research: Albert Hunt,” Bloomberg, February 20, 2011. http://www.moveon.org/r?r=206516&id=26412-18765278-Ua8allx&t=14
“Durbin: Cuts to NIH put research jobs at risk,” Business Week, February 28, 2011. http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9LLSCB00.htm
9. “GOP Spending Plan: X-ing Out Title X Family Planning Funds,” Wall Street Journal, February 9, 2011. http://www.moveon.org/r?r=206105&id=26412-18765278-Ua8allx&t=15
10. “House GOP Spending Cuts Would Prevent 10,000 Low-Income Veterans From Receiving Housing Assistance,” Think Progress, March 1, 2011. http://www.moveon.org/r?r=206517&id=26412-18765278-Ua8allx&t=16.”

In closing, Moveon asked for our help to “…get the word out about this awful budget—right away. Please, share this with your friends.” With an equal amount on conscience, mind, heart, and collective action, we can improve the human condition.

Source(s):Moveon.org

Photo credit: Microsoft Clip Art

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