End war, support domestic needs

By Chellie on January 24, 2008 8:28 PM

[Note: This appeared today as a Maine Voices editorial in the Portland Press Herald.]

In my hometown I often join an early morning breakfast with some long-time friends -- including a builder, a plumber, a mailman, a school principal and a retiree returned from an out- of-state manufacturing job.

Our conversation recently turned to the economy and their concern that not one new house is being built in our community this winter.

Recent economic news has been grim: the credit crisis, rising unemployment, a declining stock market. But, like most people, my neighbors don't need an economist to tell them when the economy is not doing well.

As we approach President Bush's final State of the Union address, we see the devastating effects of this administration's bad decisions, misplaced priorities and neglect.

TAKE ACTION NOW

I'm hopeful that the next election will bring a new direction for our country. But we can't wait for Congress to answer the question Americans are asking: "How do we repair the damage that's been done?"

The Iraq war has robbed us of precious lives and of scarce financial resources. The numbers are staggering: over 4,000 U.S. soldiers killed and 60,000 wounded. The daily cost to taxpayers is nearly $275 million.

Ending the war now will not only allow us to begin investing those millions productively but will also allow us to start rebuilding America's image abroad.

We pay for the costliest health-care system in the world, yet nearly 50 million have no health care coverage. Many who do have insurance worry that their insurance company won't cover their medical needs.

In Maine, the increasing costs heating our homes reminds us that we are particularly dependent on foreign oil and gas. Promoting energy efficiency and investing in energy alternatives such as wind power, solar and tidal will save us money, create jobs and reduce greenhouse gas pollution.

The good news is that the public is ready to change the way we do business. Now it's time for Washington to act.

Congress should act immediately to adopt an economic stimulus package including targeted tax rebates designed to put money into the hands of those who are in the best position to spend it.

And the federal government needs to start paying its bill to states like Maine, where federal under-funding has led to budget shortfalls that threaten our health and education systems.

Over the long term we need to make an investment in our country's economic health by:

• Investing in our infrastructure, including transportation, broadband access, and sustainable energy sources. In Maine, this investment could substantially help our state's struggling economy.

• Instituting universal health care to help relieve the crushing burden of rising health-care expenses from Maine businesses and individuals.

This administration's tax policies have benefited very few and have not promoted economic growth. They need to be restructured to:

• Provide and expand tax credits for child care, health care, college expenses and retirement.

• Repeal the Bush tax cuts that favor the wealthy and have contributed to the shrinking of the middle class. This includes making significant changes in the tax structure, including repealing the tax cuts enjoyed by wealthy investors and closing loopholes for private equity and hedge funds.

Finally, Washington must take its oversight responsibility seriously; protecting consumers from unscrupulous lenders and keeping a close eye on the way the financial services industry and banks do business.

UNDERSTANDABLY FRUSTRATED

People are right to be frustrated with our government's unwillingness to enact the bold solutions needed. When times are tough, we should be able to rely on our government.

I look forward to a future breakfast with my neighbors when, over our second cup of coffee, we talk about the three new houses under construction, their kids heading off to college and a health care system that was there for them when they needed it.

-- Special to the Press Herald