Democrats Hit Back On 'Class Warfare' Claims, Call Out GOP For Cutting Aid To Women And Children

NEW YORK -- Democrats are hitting back at Republicans who say President Obama's plan to increase taxes on millionaires and billionaires amounts to "class warfare," arguing that the GOP is the party that has been protecting the interests of a particular class -- the wealthiest Americans.

On Monday, Obama unveiled his deficit reduction plan, the centerpiece of which is a new tax on income over $1 million. The White House is calling it "The Buffett Rule," named for billionaire investor Warren Buffett, who has said it's absurd that he is taxed at a lower rate than his secretary. The new rule is meant to prevent the wealthiest Americans from taking advantage of loopholes that tax investment earnings at lower rates than wages.

Republicans quickly responded to the plan by calling it "class warfare" -- a term used by Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio).

But Democrats are hitting back. Ryan Nickel, spokesman for the House Appropriations Committee's Minority Staff, sent an email to Democratic press secretaries on Monday calling attention to dramatic cuts that Republicans have proposed to programs benefiting low- and middle-income Americans: "Are GOP cuts to WIC [Women Infants and Children], Pell Grants, Meals-on-Wheels, Low-Income Legal Services & Head Start 'Class Warfare'?"

Some of the GOP cuts highlighted in the email:

-- Interagency Council on Homelessness: The GOP zeroed out this agency in their proposed FY12 Transportation, HUD Appropriations Bill. The USICH enhances the Federal Government’s response to homelessness by enhancing coordination between agencies, addressing duplicative programs, and identifying best-practices.

-- Head Start: The cut of $1.1 billion (14%) below the FY10 level and more than $500 million below FY2008, would have translated to a massive loss of comprehensive early childhood services, with more than 200,000 children across the country being kicked out of the program and put 55,000 Head Start teachers out of work and into unemployment lines. Additionally, this funding level would have meant cuts to research grants, training and technical assistance grants and monitoring activities.

-- Help for the Poor and Elderly: Community Services Block Grants were cut by $305 million below the FY10 level. The Administration on Aging was cut by $71 million which would have reduced senior center and Meals on Wheels services to the elderly.

Indeed, the Republican budget plans released this year have attempted to cut back on programs that disproportionately benefit low- and middle-income individuals -- especially women, children and senior citizens.

The GOP-controlled House of Representatives proposed cutting $20 million from the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, which provides food to low-income Americans. The reductions would have resulted in an estimated 81,000 individuals being cut out of the program.

In April, meanwhile, 14 female Democratic lawmakers fasted to "draw attention to the severe cuts being proposed to poverty-focused international assistance programs, which will largely hurt women and girls globally."

Obama has responded to the Republicans' "class warfare" comments by saying, "Either we have to ask the wealthy to pay their fair share, or we have to ask seniors to pay more for medicare, or gut education. This is not class warfare. It's math."

In an email sent to Obama for America supporters, Campaign Manager Jim Messina wrote that the Republican cries of "class warfare" are a "rhetorical smokescreen for providing millionaires and billionaires special treatment."

Comments

[Charleyeo]

01:26 AM on 11/12/2011

It is seriously unAmerican to promote or support any Tea Party policies. How dare they endanger children, women, the homeless, seniors, veterans, the mentally ill by removing social programs, school food programs, programs to promote women's issues, prevention programs and cripple the american public. This is not a justifiable platform it is evil. This pandering to the wealthy and discrimination toward the tax paying public and the poor is unacceptable. A Republican party supporting Greed, Profit and hopelessness for the poor and miniorities. Supportive programs must be mandatory. Education, providing the means to learn skills and promote employment, reality teaching of science, evolution, global warming. They would reduce teachers and promote ignorance of science disregarding that the world the children will grow up to inherit a sick planet. Every one of the Tea Baggers has their own agenda. They have no empathy, consideration, wish to improve lives, they will be destructive to the American people. And they thump the bible and consider themselves Christians. Christianity is ridden with patriarchal rules and considers women as being owned, submissive, chattels, dispensible, only value in producing children, more credit for boys that girls. An absolute travesty to disrespect women and girls and promote this ignorance. I fail to see how any intelligent, rational, logical human being cannot see this corruption and actually support the Tea Party. Shame on you.

[RepublicanDepression]

01:20 AM on 10/02/2011

Coyote50 made a great point that all the Republicans here were afraid to comment on. I'll post it again to see if they have grown any more fortitude since then:

"When we as a society have to pay for health care and food stamps for people who are working, and that's the situation today, we are providing welfare to the rich who aren't paying their employees a living wage while they live in the lap of luxury. Tax the rich."

[skylark]

07:35 PM on 10/10/2011

Excellent points. Fanned and faved.

[summer4891]

11:24 AM on 09/28/2011

Sorry about hoarding this thread but regarding tttt9erfan's comment, "If the rich have less, who and how is that going to help anyone?"

This isn't just about making the wealthy go back to paying their taxes at similar rates as the impoverished--though it's a good place to start. It's about electing people who have an eye for the future of our entire population and the planet; who push for policies that benefit the whole of society: not just themselves, who they're lobbying for, or their corporation. Though they try to quietly and cleverly evade the blame for the obvious effects our economy has suffered after having been Bushwhacked, the Republican elites must be a little shocked, themselves, at how bad their irresponsible policies and lack of oversight have effected our infrastructure. Even their esteemed leader [Boehner] looks a little like he's had his pants pulled down in front of everyone. Instead of shouting "Off with their heads!" I say, "Off with their pants!" That is to say: Let's see them for who they truly are. Take off the blinders. Perhaps it will shake off the spell they’ve cast over more than half of the country who think that the Republican aristocracy on Cap Hill represent the people’s best interests.

[RepublicanDepression]

01:57 PM on 09/29/2011

Great points, and great job shutting down those who think its NOT class warfare when the class with all the money harms the class that does the actual labor in this country.

[summer4891]

10:31 AM on 09/28/2011

Does anyone out there think Republicans (on the Hill) care at all about the fact that 28% of American children now fall into the impoverished range? Here’s some easy math for us all; that’s more than 1 out of every 4 children. While Republicans make policies which allow banks, oil companies, insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, and Wall Streeter's, to name a few, to make unheard of profits, the middle class has slipped into poverty. Call it what you like, but the elitists--the few and the powerful--have succeeded in fooling the country with their rhetoric. Add to the equation the fact that, for the little time Dems did have control, it was like Camelot in America. I heard our leaders use the word “surplus” instead of “deficit” for the first time in my life. There were no refugee camps in the country. People weren't living in tents and cars. By voting for people who actually represent the overwhelming majority of the people in this country, we can give the power back to those who care for the best interests of the whole of society. Stop voting for those who represent the Aristocratic, Corporate, Elitists. Their policies are intended to suit their own self-serving agenda. Advertising works, and they have always had the money, the motivation, and the lack of integrity it takes to pull the wool over the eyes of the middle classes in order to get the votes they need.

[RepublicanDepression]

01:59 PM on 09/29/2011

summer: "Does anyone out there think Republican­s (on the Hill) care at all about the fact that 28% of American children now fall into the impoverish­ed range?"

Great point. Republican mis-rule harms children who are actually born. But that's OK, because "life" of zygotes is what matters to them, not "quality of life" of living, breathing children.

[Charleyeo]

02:00 AM on 11/12/2011

The Republican Tea Party want to reduce teachers, limit scientific education, and stop the free lunch program. This is deliberate harm of children. How can any progressive society rationalize that this is decent. Where is the empathy of Tea Party supporters. There are 500,000 children in America that are homeless. This in unacceptable. This country will sink into the swamp if these Republicans have any power. They are all about power, control, greed, profit and bottom line, money. I do not understand how any caring and decent person could support this repulsive party. Where is logic and rational thought and decency in their supporters. Obviously there is no intelligence evident.

[Harpo1129]

09:46 AM on 09/28/2011

Blufftonian Said: What a diatribe. "Slave labor?" Do you work, and if so, do you not have an agreement with your employer? Read some history, and understand what real slavery is. Then come back here and try to convince me that 99% are being used as slave labor. And you have the hubris to talk about "critical thinking skills?"

Tell me that the USA isn't heading in that direction.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Yes, I do work. For the past 35 years. I'm one of the lucky ones. And I never said that we were slaves YET. What I said was that the republicans are TRYING to make the 99% slaves. It boggles the mind that those of you on the right STILL defend the corporate takeover of this country. Does a foreclosed on house have to fall on you people? And to your second point, No. I DO NOT think that our country is headed in that direction. I think that the right wing fear mongers have TOLD you this claptrap and you are too blinded by your h8tred of everything Obama to HAVE any critical thinking skills of your own. Google wealth gap in the United States and find out how wrong you are about the corporate takeover, with the COMPLETE backing of the republican party, that has been going on for the last 30 years. A fascist takeover is MUCH more likely. And it will happen with the blessing of the republican party. And mindless sheep like you.

[RepublicanDepression]

02:02 PM on 09/29/2011

Summer, you've done such a great job debunking the right-wingers that they have fled in terror of your patience and intelligence.

Great job! Fanned and Faved!

[summer4891]

11:47 PM on 09/29/2011

THX! It means a lot to me. I admit to being a newbie and, until wandering onto this poster, I had never hit the comment button; but after reading this thread, I’m afraid I was moved to emote. I worry that your astute and factual rebuttals may have also offended more than a few [tee-hee]. But really, you've remained civil despite the typical rhetorical rabble and have posted walls of text that echo of good judgment. I know that more than a few took note. Good job. I applaud you for your insight and tenacity.

[summer4891]

11:17 PM on 09/27/2011

Regarding Netta Chin's comment: "Shameful. Do the GOP really want homeless, insane, mentally challenged people roaming the streets? Does the GOP want us to become a third world country where American families are out in the streets begging for food, or American mothers in the streets selling Chicklets chewing gum for income???"

I don't think the GOP necessarily want the middle class to slip into poverty; it would cut into their profits. They would simply rather take away from federal programs which benefit the middle and lower classes than give up any of the good life they have been living for too long now. Way to go NC. I know your wise questions were rhetorical, but in reality, the GOP should know that when I passed a young white woman on the street corner just yesterday, pan-handling for change to feed the children she had living in her car (while I gave her what I had in cash) I thought about the fact that the rich aristocracy in this country tend to be just as stingy as they are greedy.

[summer4891]

10:23 PM on 09/27/2011

To clarify, when I commented previously on the covert interests of the Republican­­s, I meant the Republican­­s IN OFFICE: not the foolish, middle-cla­­ss Americans who let the wool be pulled over their eyes and bought into their hype. Furthermor­­e, to blame the way things are now on the current administra­­tion, after so many years of Republican leadership­­, is inane. It took many years for their greed-driv­­en agenda and policies to take hold on the country, and now that it's effecting the entire global economy, they have the convenienc­­e of a new administra­­tion to blame it all on. The Obama administra­­tion has been doing its best to do emergency damage control just to keep the lights on and could never have fixed all of the damage the Republican­­s did to our infrastruc­­ture, our laws, and our policies, in this short of a time. It took the GOP years to turn those policies in their favor and it will take years of intelligent voting to reverse the process. And because of all of those who voted for the few, the rich, the powerful, in the last elections, the current administra­­tion has had its hands tied and rendered unable to do anything to help keep the ship from sinking, which has given the Republican­­s all the more opportunit­­y to shirk responsibi­­lity and to evade the blame they so richly deserve.

[Charleyeo]

02:13 AM on 11/12/2011

The main policy of the Tea Party is to attack Obama. If they shout this loud enough and often enough they hope that their destructive policies will be forgotten and overshadowed by the Blame Obama Campaign.

[summer4891]

10:16 PM on 09/27/2011

I've witnessed, for sixty years, Democrats creating policies, laws, and oversights representing the interests of the masses (and the environmen­­t), and Republican­­s creating policies, laws, and a void of oversights representing the interests of the remaining three %­­--who care little or nothing for the environmen­­t or the middle classes. Republican­­s site that the Dems raise taxes and spend money just to “grow government­­.” Ironically­­, the Dems ARE guilty of tax-and-sp­­end policies; they tax those who can afford it (INCLUDING the upper classes and large corporatio­­ns) and spend, or grow government­­, by creating benefits for the masses. This was once common knowledge, yet, half the population fails to support those, like Obama, who labor heroically for the good of us all. They, instead, buy into the GOP rhetoric--­­thanks to expensive ads, dastardly campaign tactics, and having been taught this rhetoric by misinforme­­d parents. When the entire French population slipped into poverty, the masses made their point sharply to the few aristocrat­­s lavishing in opulence. By exposing what our greedy aristocrac­­y covertly represent, we might guillotine the cycle of handed-dow­­n, republican rhetoric so that our young will elect representa­­tives who care more about the interests of the people than the special interests of the wealthy and the corporatio­­ns. Voting people who represent the interests of the aristocrac­­y into policy-mak­­ing positions is how we got into this position and demonstrat­­es that we’ve forgotten what was once common knowledge, not to mention common sense.

[Charleyeo]

02:23 AM on 11/12/2011

What does surprise me is the crime they are committing will rest on the shoulders of future g nerations. How do they rationalize leaving a poorly educated population, destructive decisions regarding science and global warming anything remotely caring and empathic. Why make our children responsible to clean up their ignorance. Is there any intelligence here. As long as they keep profits flowing for the corporations destroying our earth and childrens future , they seem to be unaware or unconcerned about those who will come after them . I see this as truly evil.

[tttt9erfan]

09:13 AM on 09/24/2011

This new buzz phrase "The Buffett Rule" is simply another catch phase thrown out there by the left and because it sounds good they run with it providing no proof. Does Buffett really pay less taxes than his secretary? I seriously doubt it! Show us his tax returns and his secretaries too. Show us where he pays less taxes. And if Buffett doesn't think he pays enough, what is stopping him from writing Uncle Sam a check? Pay more if you think it's not fair.

Why does the left automatically go after more taxes as the only alternative to increase revenues? There is enough waste and fraud to fund every program and then some. How about we get rid of the thousands of useless, non productive federal programs that we keep throwing good money after bad? There are 82 different federal programs that help teachers become better teachers. Do we really need 82 programs doing the exact same thing? And not a single one has EVER been evaluated for it's worth. Not one!

Why is the left so adverse to letting people, rich or otherwise, keep more of their own money? That is class warfare! The left would rather everyone have less just to prevent a few from having more. If you think taking more from the rich is going to put more in the pockets of the poor, you are sadly mistaken.

If the rich have less, who and how is that going to help anyone?

[RepublicanDepression]

05:48 PM on 09/24/2011

Why does the right-wing resort to untruths?

tttt9erfan: “simply another catch phase ...providing no proof.”

1) WRONG! ‘The Buffet Rule has meaning. In brief, it means that the middle class should not be paying a higher effective tax rate than the rich. Do you disagree? Do you think the rich should pay a LOWER effective tax rate than the middle class?

ttt: “...more taxes as the only alternativ­e”

2) WRONG AGAIN! Obama and the Democrats have been doing a lot of cutting, and after eight years of Bush and mostly Republicans, there is a lot of cutting to do, since Bush and the Republicans spent the people’s money like drunken sailors. Are you really unaware that “the left” has been cutting and continues to cut?

Ttt: “There are 82 different federal programs that help teachers… and not a single one has EVER been evaluated for it's worth. Not one!”

3) Prove that not one has EVER been evaluated for its worth.

Ttt: “If the rich have less, who and how is that going to help anyone?”

In the 90s, raising taxes on the rich helped everyone. We ended up with the best economy in decades and the defict turned to surpluses. Even the rich ended up doing better after Clinton RAISED their taxes. Then Bush came along and gave away the surplus to the rich in unpaid-for tax cuts and other corporate welfare and crashed the economy. Which economy do you prefer?

[summer4891]

10:27 PM on 09/27/2011

RD--thanks so much for the support in the EW thread.

[Charleyeo]

02:29 AM on 11/12/2011

Well said. Intelligence vs bigotry. tt9erfan is not expressing any logic or reason. Only rhetoric of an unifomed person. He has his mind made up and reasoning with logic and intelligence and history will probably confuse him.

[littlebig1ct]

07:56 PM on 09/23/2011

I think it's great that terms such as " class warfare" are finally being used. The concept that there is a war between the wealthy, and the rest of America is surfacing, and it was the Republicans who represent the wealthy, and the corporations to first start using the phrase, and letting us know that a state of war is becoming apparent. Honestly, I say bring it on, . . . I'd love to see middle America ( which I think includes me) pushed to the point where no one wants anymore BS, and we start to get serious about taking back our country from the greedy corporations who hire economists to see if the average income has increased by $20.00, and if it has, they see no reason why that money shouldn't go into their pocket. I hope Americans open their eyes as to whats been going on. Red flags went up long ago when George HW Bush first mentioned a "New World Order", and people should have been curious about what the republicans have in mind with that idea. I hope it comes to revolution when you realize they want you to "eat cake, if you can't afford bread"

[Coyote50]

01:36 PM on 09/23/2011

When we as a society have to pay for health care and food stamps for people who are working, and that's the situation today, we are providing welfare to the rich who aren't paying their employees a living wage while they live in the lap of luxury. Tax the rich.

[RepublicanDepression]

02:03 PM on 09/29/2011

Great point!

I notice the right-wingers who are all over this board have tip-toed away from answering you.

[Coyote50]

02:11 PM on 09/29/2011

Isn't it funny? The truth shall set you free, but I guess they really don't want to face it.

[Charleyeo]

02:36 AM on 11/12/2011

Hopefully they are embarassed. They listen to bigots like Herman Cain tell citizens that they don't have what they deserve because they haven't worked for it. Yet support of Cain continues and what does that tell you about Republicans. Shame on those supporting this bigotry. OWS has shown courage to defend the rights of the American public and protest the greed that defines the exploitation of mainstream america and the protection of the rich to get richer.

[wmnorton]

11:46 AM on 09/23/2011

What is sad about this whole thing is that some enlightened individuals like Warren Buffet understand in the long run they will make a lot more money if we throw all this Supply Side gobbledygook out and return to the Demand Side economics which was the basis for the United States becoming the richest nation on earth. He can see that he made a lot more, compared to everyone else, when his tax rate was 70% than he is making now. So he knows that although in short tems he may be doing alright the current tax rates are holding back the economy and his potential profits.

[RepublicanDepression]

06:57 PM on 09/29/2011

Evidence of that is in how much the right wing rich have attacked Buffet and demanded release of his financials­- which they resist when anyone wants their financials­.

More Republican hypocrisy!

[skylark]

07:42 PM on 10/10/2011

True. Fanned and faved.

[aburch9351]

08:13 AM on 09/23/2011

Whats wrong with saying that the rich should pay their fair share? i wked all my life am on S.S. and medicare and through no fault of parents raising 2 small grands. I pay tax on my S.S. I do NOT get any public Asist don,t want i pay my own way. IF I can do this Whats wrong with them stop hideing monies out of the country and " special accounts"?

[Coyote50]

01:40 PM on 09/23/2011

People like you are the backbone of this country. Thank you for all the work you did for your whole working life. It's sickening to hear these super rich people whining about having to pay more in taxes - they are already so privileged and have so much money that paying a small proportion of it wouldn't make any difference in their extravagant lifestyles. They are greedy and don't have any sense of responsibility to the community or country as a whole.

[tttt9erfan]

09:19 AM on 09/24/2011

And just what exactly is "their fair share"?

[Conuly]

04:58 PM on 09/24/2011

More than what they're paying now.

[Sue-in-Jersey]

06:52 PM on 09/26/2011

Proportionate

[rshrink]

09:57 PM on 09/22/2011

Repubs support the wealthy and the big corporations that make it easy for them to run a campaign and to get in line for the cash to maintain their lavish lifestyles. Trying to get the middle and lower income groups to take less, is just a way for them to make more. I don't think we need to refer to it as warfare. It is just common humankind falling victim to greed, arrogance and power seeking.

[koj2hp]

07:08 PM on 09/22/2011

Dems wanna tax the rich... not a good idea but somthin's gotta be done.
The Rep wanna cut aid and services to the poor. ditto, somethin's gotta be done

Which is the right thing?
the gospels are good news to the poor and in the gospels the rich are condemned.

clearly, let the rich keep their money, but they better enjoy it cuz they gonna burn