Republican budget a ‘Roadmap to Ruin’

We eliminate the deficit by 2021 by restoring some sanity to our tax system; by bringing down health care costs with a public option; and by ending the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Under the People’s Budget, we finally bring the troops home.  We provide for a safe, orderly, responsible redeployment of troops and contractors out of Iraq and Afghanistan, saving more than $1.5 trillion above current law spending levels over 10 years.

It’s not only a moral imperative, it’s fiscal common sense.  This military occupation of Afghanistan is draining the Treasury to the tune of nearly $7 billion every single month…and for what?

The Taliban hasn’t been defeated.  Democracy hasn’t taken root.  We’ve undermined rather than advanced our national security interests.  This war hasn’t accomplished a single thing it was supposed to.  It’s disastrous foreign policy, and it’s a bum deal for taxpayers.

So if we’re looking for places to cut spending, let’s start with the government program that destroys American lives…and NOT the programs – like Medicare, Medicaid, Head Start and Pell Grants – that save and enrich American lives.

We believe a budget is a reflection of the nation’s values.  And the American people’s values include shared sacrifice and investment in our future.  Cutting education and health care to pay for a 10-year unwinnable war and so the wealthy can make out like bandits – these are not American values.

I am proud to stand with my colleagues today in support of this sound plan, and I urge all members of the people’s House to embrace the People’s Budget.