roundtable: Re: Balanced Budget Alert

roundtable: Re: Balanced Budget Alert

Re: Balanced Budget Alert

Patrice McDermott (patricem@CapAccess.org)
Tue, 14 Feb 1995 15:48:51 -0500 (EST) 

Date: Tue, 14 Feb 1995 15:48:51 -0500 (EST)
From: Patrice McDermott <patricem@CapAccess.org>
Subject: Re: Balanced Budget Alert
To: bluemtn@cni.org, roundtable@cni.org
Message-Id: <Pine.3.07.9502141551.A25095-c100000@cap1.capaccess.org>


Although this may not seem like a public access or telecommunications 
issue, all the programs and initiatives we care about are at risk.  The 
interest on the debt, Social Security, and defense (the 1st can't be 
exempted, the latter two politically have to be exempted) account for 
55% of the budget. That leaves, according to CBO estimates--before any 
of the various proposed tax cuts--$1.2 TRILLION to come out of 
everything else by the year 2002.

The vote will be *very* close in the Senate--probably one vote will decide.  
We urge those of you involved in the Public Access Working Group to hive 
off a little time to spend on this.  The Alert below is primarily aimed 
at the grassroots, so please re-post widely.  If you need more information, 
please call OMB Watch, 202-234-8494 or Ed Jayne at AFSCME, 202-429-1188. 

This is a truly critical battle, but one we have a chance of winning.  
It is also really important to the "Contract with America" types and 
defeating it will send an strong message to them.  ANY assistance you can 
give will be greatly appreciated.

Patrice McDermott
OMB Watch
patricem@CapAccess.org


                               ACTION ALERT: 

                        OPPOSE THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT
                         TO THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION

Background: The United States Senate is considering an amendment to the 
U.S. Constitution that would prohibit the federal government from running 
a deficit.  Instead of helping the economy, the Balanced Budget Amendment 
would seriously harm the economy because it would not permit the government 
to have a line of credit.  

A line of credit is important to make long-term investments in the nation's 
well-being.  Prohibiting the Federal government from borrowing money would 
be like prohibiting us from getting a mortgage to buy a house or borrowing 
money to send our kids to college.  Amending the Constitution is not the 
way to establish a fiscal policy that is both responsive to the needs of 
the nation and reduces our debt.  

The American people have a right to know how proponents plan to balance 
the budget. Because the Republicans refuse to raise taxes, and military 
spending, social security, and interest on the debt, are off the table, 
the only way to balance the budget is through draconian cuts in the 
programs that:
        - serve the hungry, the homeless, the elderly and children
        - protect the consumer and the environment 
        - respond quickly to national disasters like the 1993 flooding in 
              the Midwest or California earthquakes.

Status: In order to amend the U.S. Constitution, 2/3 of both the House 
and the Senate must approve, then 3/4 of the state legislatures must 
ratify the amendment. (The President and Governors cannot veto these 
decisions.)  So far, the House of Representatives passed the Amendment 
on Thursday, January 31.  The Senate is currently debating the Balanced 
Budget Amendment.  If it passes,we will have to fight the proposal at 
the state level.  We must beat this in the Senate!

ACTION: 

1)  Call or Write your Senator and ask them to oppose the Balanced Budget 
Amendment. 

2) Call or Write your local newspaper's editorial board and ask them to 
oppose the Balanced Budget Amendment.

3) Give this to three friends and ask them to take the same actions.

_________________________________________
For More Information  Call OMB Watch at 202-234-849
Join us in the fight!

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