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The View From Over Here: Connolly’s Critical Differences
Reston has a new Democratic Congressman - Gerry Connolly. If we had to be GERRYmandered, I’m pleased we got a Dem. Still, I will miss Jim Moran, a hard-hitting, courageous progressive. Like Jim, I am hard-core progressive on matters of social and economic policy, tending more to the center on matters of public sector management and budget.
Mr. Connolly and I will likely agree on most public policy matters, but he is dead wrong on some things. There our paths, of course, will diverge.
As the election approaches, I am most troubled by Connolly’s stance on extending the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy top 2 percent, in opposition to President Obama. Mr. Connolly has been consistent in his willingness to forgo these hundreds of billions of dollars in federal tax revenue, while claiming to be a deficit hawk and wanting to avoid the over-hyped “fiscal cliff."
Republicans are happy to have his support. Imagine having a Democrat with
them, working as hard as they do against basic fairness and a more equitable
America. Make no mistake, saving the top-end tax reductions will be paid for by the usual suspects. Do the math: if the hundreds of billions of dollars in revenue coming from those who will not miss it are lost, how will the fiscal deficit be reduced? Basically, there are only two ways:
1) Shift a disproportionate share of overall taxation (e.g., sales tax) to middle and lower income folks and/or,
2) cut programs that benefit middle and lower income people (e.g., food stamps, Medicaid, education).
Next time you see or write to Mr. Connolly, ask him to do the math for you. How will he make up all those billions? Then ask him to explain the moral math for you as well.
Gerry and I will part in another public policy area, on both strategic and moral grounds. Like Moran, Gerry has a strong interest in foreign policy. They agree mostly, but diverge in the Middle East. Moran courageously stands up for a more even-handed, U.S. interests-driven policy toward the Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands in particular, while Congressman Connolly hews closely to AIPAC and Israeli talking points.
It is clear to me that U.S. interests are best served by an equitable settlement of the 45-year occupation, including Israel returning the land and political rights to the Palestinians. The U.S. can and should lead the way to peace and to guaranteeing the long-term security for BOTH parties. Maybe time in Reston will help Gerry see this light!
Paul M
12:46 pm on Thursday, October 11, 2012
The usual liberal nonsense in a critique of our ineffective Congressman Connelly.
The tax cuts you disdain are really a continuation of tax rates that have been in place for ten years and were extended by Obama and Congress a couple of years ago for because of perceived weakness in the economy. Well the economic weakness has improved but now it is OK to raise taxes? Nonsense.
These tax increases don't come close to addressing the deficit and almost certainly will hurt the employment picture. But it is all the liberals seem to have as an answer.
The writer talks about "moral math". What is immoral is to continue spending on the many inefficient, ineffective government programs and having our children and future generation pay for it.
And good luck with "returning Palestian lands". Ownership of the land in question is not clear and has been an historic point of debate and conflict. What is clear is that the Palestinians are ruthlessly, violent and not likely to serve American interests in the Middle East.
Tammi Petrine
2:02 am on Saturday, October 13, 2012
What is clear from Paul M's comments above is that he has negatively broad brushed an entire community of people ("the Palestinians"). With attitudes like this, no wonder racism and war rule our world. So so sad. I too appreciated Rep. Moran's courageous stance on this serious problem which is, no doubt, the direct cause of Arab fury at the U.S. which lead to 9/11.
Paul, add up the expenses related to the "war on terror" and see if our budget might not have been balanced with all of these monies wasted if we would have had more courageous politicians of Rep. Moran's ilk.
Israel and its peoples would certainly not be in more peril than they are now with the continuing animosity by almost all in the Middle East. My Israeli friends tell me that, just like the U.S., their country has been conscripted by religious fanatics who are preventing peace negotiations with the Palestinian people. Most people want peace and the only hope to get it is to give it a chance. Bad mouthing a whole tribe is what began the Holocaust, wasn’t it?
Even now Neo-Nazi's are raising their ugly heads in Europe. THIS is a real threat. Being wary is human, but please target a proven enemy who have declared their hatred if you must.
Reston Mom
1:58 am on Saturday, October 13, 2012
Occupation? Really? See
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100202200312AAsox7Y
Tammi Petrine
2:18 am on Saturday, October 13, 2012
Reston Mom, respectfully, theological debate can not and will not solve this problem. If one can not see the other side of the issue, hope for a solution is nil and everlasting war is the reality to which all involved are committed. What a waste of valuable lives and resources. Israel deserves better, don't you think?