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NY-26 candidates respond to GOP budget reform proposal

By Howard B. Owens

Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis) has proposed what he claims is a bold plan to reduce government spending by $4 trillion over 10 years.

The plan would:

  • Repeal health care reform
  • Turn Medicare over to private insurances and provide vouchers for recipients
  • Turn Medicaid into a block-grant funded program with state's picking up any unfunded expenses
  • Lower the highest individual and corporate tax rates from 35 to 25 percent
  • Lift drilling moratoriums on and off shore
  • Cap government spending at 20 percent of the Gross Domestic Product
  • It also makes claims for job creation, claims to spur growth and higher wages, bans earmarks and cuts corporate welfare.

Since this is a plan that the next representative from the NY-26 could be asked to vote on, we asked each candidate to respond to Ryan's budget proposal.

Jane Corwin:

Our country is facing a historical challenge – we can either keep pursuing a path of runaway spending, and job-killing debt, or we can choose to get serious about reducing spending, cutting taxes and creating sustainable long-term economic growth for our children and grandchildren. The plan unveiled today recognizes this reality. I look forward to studying the proposals and working to change the direction of our country.

Kathy Hochul:

It’s time to get our fiscal house in order and start working toward reducing our national debt. There is no question that we need to make substantial cuts to our budget, but decimating Medicare cannot be the solution. Once elected, I look forward to working with all members of Congress to cut wasteful spending, while still keeping the promises made to our seniors and ensuring the survival of job re-training programs, so that our businesses can innovate, create jobs, and compete in the global market.

Ian Murphy:

Ryan's budget proposal represents the height of Republican dishonesty. It's a reverse-Robin Hood, where they rob from the poor and give to the rich. You can't reduce the deficit by lowering taxes on corporations and the super-rich, and cutting social spending. Anyone who suggests such an obvious lie should be laughed off the political stage. It's just one more example of our elected officials representing wealth, not people. 

As for Jack Davis, his communications director Curtis Ellis wrote, "This is a large and complex proposal. As an engineer, Jack wants to give it the attention it requires and deserves. He's looking closely at it and we'll get back to you." That was yesterday afternoon and we've not yet received a response from Davis.

For further reading:

Dave Olsen

Accuse me of wealth or class envy if you must, but Ian Murphy is right. The Congress of th United States represents wealth not people. I think the corporate taxes should be dropped and spending cut, but I don't trust the ones in power to do it fairly. B O H I C A !!!

Apr 6, 2011, 1:04pm Permalink
John Roach

I'd be happy with the tax rates staying as they are now, cut any and all tax breaks, incentives and credits, and have all the spending cuts. That would reduce are debt much faster.

Apr 6, 2011, 1:32pm Permalink
Dave Olsen

How about we eliminate income tax altogether? People's wages should not be taxed. This info is a little dated (2005) but I'll bet it's still close. http://politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2008/jan/03/ron-paul/it-…
The crux is that eliminating income tax would cut the Federal Gov't's revenues to a bout the level of 10 years ago. Then end the wars, close foreign military bases and end foreign aid and the liberals can keep welfare. Then take the onus of providing health insurance off the back of business by allowing a true open market of insurance providers and everyone will be able to afford health insurance, including the elderly on fixed incomes. Duh. Oh yeah, cut the house of rep's in half, impose term limits and end lobbying and their ridiculous retirement and health program. Put the Social Security money in a lock box, like Al Gore wanted to do in 2000. It really is that easy, but won't happen because the so-called elected congress is bought and paid for. Except for Ron

Apr 6, 2011, 2:39pm Permalink
william tapp

only way to save money and get back on tract is smaller goverment , less fat under handed deels , stop reed from puting out money in his freezer , stop send all of our job over seas or over the borders , stop forign aid, we need it here. TERM LIMITS on our politicians.

Apr 6, 2011, 4:50pm Permalink

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