(Photo/Daylife/AP)
– It’s been deemed the ‘Path to Prosperity,’ by its creator U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis. It would repeal the Affordable Care Act, structurally change Medicare for Americans under 55, deliver Medicaid as a block grant to states, and cut taxes on the highest earners from 35 percent to 25 percent.
Democrats allege these are the same policies the Bush administration applied to the tax code, which did not result in substantive job growth. Democrats also say the changes to Medicare entirely redefine the nearly-5o year old social insurance program which was created for seniors who were unable to obtain insurance. But Republicans say the proposal is a reflection of the change Americans voted for by sending Tea Party Republicans to Washington last November.
Rep. Vicky Hartzler, R-Harrisonville, told a town hall meeting in her district last month the reason for her being elected was to “Take [fourth district] ideas — our values, and turn things around … They need our values in Washington D.C.”
Pressed on the specifics on the proposal, Hartzler said the tax cuts were, much like they were proposed in the last decade, to spur job creation.
“Well — these are business owners that right now are having to sit and make the choice between hiring a new worker, or sending more [money] to Washington, D.C,” Hartzler told PoliticMo. “So, if they’re allowed to keep more of their money, they can put it back in their business and create jobs.”
Hartzler said cutting taxes from 35 percent to 24 percent was a “start.” She, like many Republicans, challenged Democrats to propose their own plan, but said she would not support any tax increase in a compromise deal.
Rep. Todd Akin, R-St. Louis, co-sponsored the budget proposed by the Republicans. In a statement, Akin said the proposition “restores the future” for Americans.
“Because of Chairman Paul Ryan’s leadership, we have produced a budget that helps spur job growth today, stops spending money the government doesn’t have, and lifts the crushing burden of debt. This plan puts the budget on the path to balance and the economy on the path to prosperity,” Akin said.
email: eli [at] politicmo.com | phone: 417.597.3873 | twitter: @eyokley 
I would ask Rep. Hartzler how it would help her economic situation to have her income cut by a substantial amount. My guess is that it wouldn’t help her at all. It won’t help the government either.
In spite of what the TP folks think, we do need a strong central government. It’s purpose is to promote the public welfare and defend the country from foreign aggressors. It can accomplish both with a 40% cut in defence, control of WASTEFUL spending, and concentration on social issues like promotion of public health and education. Sadly, these are the very things that the TP and GOP are so fervently opposed to. The emphasis seems to be on weaking the left at the expense of even the national good. Politics before good sense.
She must not understand that employees and their related employee costs are pre-tax.
As a former neighbor of yours, Vicky, and as someone who has been on a first name basis with you; that is to say, a real ‘fourth district’ kind of person, I had a few questions.
The largest corporations had an 83% increase in profits last year. Their CEOs had a similar increase in salaries. After Big Oil just broke their all time profit increase record last year (as a percentage, not just against our shrinking dollar’s value), they have just posted another 38% increase in profit over LAST YEAR for this first quarter. Their non-executive employees enjoyed no significant increase in salaries.
How does lessening the tax burden on the wealthy, and subsidizing Big Oil to the tune of billions of dollars (the majority of monies as come from being paid in by the 99% of us who are not CEOs) help the average American?
Secondly, since roughly two thirds of the actual income of the federal government comes from taxes and FICA collected from non-CEOs and with less than a fifth coming from corporations, how can we justify taking Medicare away from the already overburdened and under-served majority who pay their taxes and giving the money to the Corporations and the wealthy who already do not pay their fair share.
BULL SHIT!
Many years ago I would agree with all of this but when businesses owners and those who run big business started putting the money in their pocket and not create jobs then I oppose it.
Being greedy is not the way to insure a healthy economy.
Further, I still see the same old politics being done in Washington. Nothing will get done until the party line is thrown out and people come together to solve problems from facts not political thinking.
With all the easy and cheap money for loan out there, if business owners wanted to expand they would. They say they want to “privatize” Mecicare/Medicaid. I suspect that is policotalk for elemimate excesses, like the high risk insured, and make it profitible for providers.
Hartzler took NO questions from anyone regarding changes to Medicare.If Congress thinks changing health insurance is the way to balance the budget why dont they give up taxpayer paid insurace furnished to them & pay for their own?
I dont understand how the citizens of Missouri can tolerate her voting record.They just go along like so many sheep!
Interesting how the only person to vehemently disagree with me and so therefore, it must be assumed, agrees with Mrs. Hartzler, can only express themselves with profanity. Everyone else, so far, is on some level agreeing with me or making further points about the obvious and real problems.
I guess we know who ‘greedywaterrabbit’ voted for and … lesson for the rest of you (not me, I voted) … every election is important … VOTE!!!
I live in her district and she’s an embarrassment. In addition to destroying Medicare and giving tax cuts to the wealthy, she’s also on a crusade against gay citizens and troops.