WASHINGTON, April 13, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- USAction Executive Director Jeff Blum issued the following statement in response to President Obama's George Washington University address:
"President Obama today stood up strong for important programs that serve more than 100 million Americans, including Medicare and Medicaid. His proposals stand in sharp contrast to the GOP's call for ending Medicare as we know it and radically cutting Medicaid, a program which serves as both a safety net and a pathway to the middle-class for so many Americans.
"We are confident that fully one trillion dollars in additional savings could be achieved if we put an end to tax breaks for the rich and corporate giveaways -- none of which meet human needs nor significantly create good-paying jobs. It makes no sense that wealthy hedge fund managers pay taxes at a lower rate than working Americans. We do not have a deficit crisis. We have a revenue crisis.
"We also acknowledge that while the President lowers the growth rate of Pentagon spending, there is room to cut spending altogether. We could do this by eliminating fraud, waste and obsolete and unnecessary weapons systems.
"Today America is at a crossroads. Will we continue to squeeze working families and the middle class or will we create good jobs here at home, provide our families with security and build a brighter future for our children? This is the choice that Congress faces. This is the choice our nation faces."
USAction is a federation of 24 state affiliates and partners that organize for a more just America. With our state partners, we build broad coalitions to win progressive campaigns that enrich people's lives.
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