by David Dayen [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Dave Johnson
Speak Out California
It is a popular misconception that taxes add to the squeeze on the middle class. But it isn't tax increases that have squeezed the middle class, it's tax cuts. It may be hard to believe (after so many years of constant anti-tax rhetoric) but here is why.
The middle class IS squeezed these days. There are pressures and long hours at work, long commutes, health insurance costs, housing costs, food and gas prices rising, and wages are not keeping up -- they haven't been for a long time. But it is not a coincidence that the middle-class squeeze began at the same time as the corporate-funded anti-government, tax-cutting fervor. In fact a good case can be made that many of the reasons the middle class feels squeezed are the result of pressures brought about almost entirely FROM the effects of tax CUTS and cutbacks in government services, regulations and enforcement that went along with the tax cuts.

by davej [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

By Dave Johnson, Speak Out California

It is a popular misconception that taxes add to the squeeze on the middle class.  But it isn't tax increases that have squeezed the middle class, it's tax cuts.  It may be hard to believe (after so many years of constant anti-tax rhetoric) but here is why.

by Alan Willis [courtesy of Blog for America]

 According to the Denver Post, James Dobson may sit this election out, if McCain is nominated by the Republicans. This could be very good news for Democrats. Dobson and his "Focus on the Family" organization have enormous influence with thousands of religious conservatives. If they "boycott" the election, the Republicans are in serious trouble.

 Still, I believe that Democrats should go on the offensive and redifine "pro-family;" the right end of the  Republicans are, after all, the most anti-family of political groups. How can I say this? Simple. Trouble in the family is not caused by the gay couple next door (who are more likely to stay together longer than a straight couples); it is caused by financial pressures and lack of time to spend together as a family.

 Many of those financial pressures are exacerbated—and we all know this—by health care costs. Yet, the Republicans have repeatedly cut federal health care funds, and have steadfastly opposed national healthcare insurance. National healthcare, more than anything else the Federal Government could possible do, would be truly pro-family! We Democrats should go on the offensive with this.

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

Wolf Blitzer, Moderator
Jeanne Cummings, Moderator
Doyle McManus, Moderator

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Fabian Nunez
Speaker of the California Assembly

I first unveiled a health care reform plan one year ago today. It’s been a long struggle with a lot of input and intense discussions with stakeholders across the spectrum. It was a huge undertaking to reach the historic vote taken in the Assembly this week, and while I understand several contributors on this site will never like any reform plan that isn’t single payer, the progressive community deserves to hear the reasons I think AB 1x1 deserves widespread support.

Let’s start with basic principles: Everyone should have insurance – and no one subject to a mandate should be denied by any insurer. Most of the uninsured are working people who can’t afford it - we’re making it affordable to them. We’re also helping out people in the middle who are struggling paying for their insurance. Of course, there will be back and forth over details – this is a complicated proposal after all. But we cannot forget that people are suffering now, and we need to help them. Portraying serious reform as “Christmas for the insurance industry” or “Patriot Act-lite” does nothing to advance the major changes that must be made. We don’t have the opportunity every day to change people’s lives for the better and we don’t have a lot of days to wait this time.

by Speaker Fabian N??ez [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

I first unveiled a health care reform plan one year ago today. It's been a long struggle with a lot of input and intense discussions with stakeholders across the spectrum. It was a huge undertaking to reach the historic vote taken in the Assembly this week, and while I understand several contributors on this site will never like any reform plan that isn't single payer, the Calitics community deserves to hear the reasons I think AB 1x1 deserves widespread support.