Republicans are good at one thing - talk.  If there were a Department of Talking Points, I would suggest a Democratic President appoint someone from the RNC.  But our nation doesn't run on talking points, and if we're going to have the standard of living we promise in America, we're going to need competent people working in our government.

Yesterday's New York Times reported that New York's Housing Authority is in a budgetary crisis.  Part of this is due to rising energy costs, but the problem is exacerbated by the fact that federal authorities are not funding housing programs at sufficient levels.

Meanwhile, the federal deficit has skyrocketed to a record $119 billion in February.  This despite the fact that  individual income tax receipts are up.

So, where is all the money going?  The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities issued a report in February showing that if the Republican tax program is extended, $917 billion would go into the pockets of the richest 1% of Americans.


Republican economics make no sense.  The American dream is one of opportunity, but by failing to fund programs that help Americans get on their feet - programs like those that provide adequate housing for the working poor - Republicans fail to provide opportunities for hardworking Americans.

Instead, the Republican tax giveaway takes money out of programs like Head Start, No Child Left Behind, and student loans and gives that money to people like Jack Abramoff and Dick Cheney who use the money for things like a $20,000 car monitor or $80,000 shotguns.

If we're going to provide Americans with the kinds of opportunities that our grandparents and our parents had, we have to put an end to these Republican tax giveaways.  It's time for competent Democratic leadership that will get things done for America.