Lieberman Issues Statement on $450 billion Bush Deficit

July 15, 2003)


ARLINGTON, VA -- Joe Lieberman issued the following statement in response to new projections showing a budget deficit in excess of $450 billion 50 percent higher than the Administration's own forecast five months ago:

"Just as disturbing as the news today about the record deficits the Bush Administration has run up is the White House's response to the situation. President Bush is repeating two dangerous habits: misleading the American people and ducking responsibility for his mistakes.

"The fact is, the Bush Administration is playing fast and loose with the facts again. They underestimate the size of the hole we're in. And even worse, they are hiding behind the war and homeland security to excuse their own fiscal irresponsibility. That's an insult to our men and women in uniform, both in Iraq and here at home. George Bush has hung our cops and firefighters out to dry and shortchanged everything from port security to bioterrorism preparedness. But he has always found the resources for his favorite tax cuts for the favored few.

. . .

"Everyone knows what is really responsible for these deficits--the unfair, unaffordable, and ineffective Bush tax cuts, which give the most to those who need the least and fail to create jobs or jumpstart our economy. Unless and until the Administration understands that, American families are going to be swimming upstream against a failing economy and a current of red ink."

http://www.joe2004.com/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=5441&JServSessionIdr008=2665ebiqlr.app6a&news_iv_ctrl=1041

Joe. You've had myriad chances to stand up to his assholiness but you sat on the wall (as did most other Democrats) and now you're trying to play catch up. I appreciate the thought, but I'll vote for a REAL Democrat, thank you.

And he's been very outspoken in his criticm of the Bush economic policies. Perhaps you ought to direct your anger at some of the Democrats who actually supported the Bush tax cuts -- people like Zell Miller and Max Baucus (the ranking Democrat on the Senate finance committee) who have probably done more than any other Democrats to push the Bush tax agenda through the Senate. It wouldn't surprise me if you didn't even know who Max Baucus is.

I am not a Lieberman supporter, but I really wonder if you have actually researched his record at Project Vote Smart.

He voted against the tax cut. Meanwhile, his tenure as Chair of Government Oversight was marked by enron and host of other scandals falling through the cracks just so he, in preparation for his presidential bid, could look fair and nonpartisan to the guy that stole the vice presidency from him. In my book, he selfishly contributed to chimpy's "teflon" mysique and thus helped the bad guys. I don't vote for people who help the bad guys.

But I am afraid Joe is not getting any traction.

eom.

Good ol' Joe, just about 4 weeks behind public opinion

Lieberman has been blasting Bush's economic policies for the past 2 years. This is hardly the first time he's criticized Bush for driving up the deficits and underfunding homeland security in order ot pay for tax cuts for the people who need them least.

There seems to be a mentality afflicting DU'ers that if something isn't posted on DU, then it must not have happened.

against a failing economy and a current of red ink. Far too little, far too late.

This $455B deficit includes Social Security, which shoud be off the budget. With the SS obligation, not to mention Medicare and unemployment, the deficit is much higher than even this.

I'm all for Lieberman bringing this to light.

The House made up this budget according to direction from the White House.

The GOP has been trying to play things down by saying that, as a percentage of GDP, the deficit isn't as large as the deficits under Reagan. But unlike Regan, Bush is able to tap $150 billion in social security surpluses. Once you exclude those, the deficit sources to $600 billion, which is a record both in terms of dollars and as a percentage of GDP.

But the guy cant say the sun is hot without being roundly critised by some people. He aint gonna get my vote, but Im glad he is speaking (better late than never) about Bush raid on our countrys' future.

Let's give him some credit for it.

?) the war.

Does not compute.

Whats worse for the economy, tax cuts or ME war over 2 years?

You can't have both.

Lieberman is behind his "favored few".

Its not money he's after.

Bill

before they send out a distress call...

Joe, I appreciate the sentiment here, but we aren't swimming upstream, WE ARE DROWNING, and the bu$h* junta has blood on their hands, not just red ink!

"All this opposition to tax cuts and war will lead the Democratic party nowhere" (during a 4rth of Juky event). Is he going howhere now? (at least half way)?