For Immediate Release
Wednesday, February 28, 2001
AFSCME Blasts Bush's "Reckless" Tax Plan
Extra Lunch Money Not Worth Deficits and Loss of Social Security and Medicare
Washington —Reacting to President Bush's defense last night of his massive 10-year tax cut plan, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO, today blasted the proposal as unfair to the average taxpayer and a threat to the country's hard-earned financial stability and ability to meet its biggest challenges.
AFSCME President Gerald W. McEntee noted that despite the President's promises, the plan would cost the country well over $2 trillion of the projected budget surplus and the average taxpayer would receive a bonus of less than $10 per week, according to recent non-partisan studies. Such an enormous tax cut would also make it impossible to protect Social Security and Medicare, improve education, and enact affordable prescription drug coverage, among other priorities mentioned by President Bush in his speech, he said.
"This reckless tax plan barely gives working families enough to eat an extra lunch a week at a burger joint," said Mr. McEntee. "And common sense tells us there's no such thing as a free lunch - we won't be able to meet the urgent needs of all Americans with no money left over."
Mr. McEntee pointed out that future surpluses would be put in jeopardy mainly because President Bush wants to hand the wealthiest Americans over $1,000 per week in tax breaks, or more than a 100 times what average taxpayers receive. "That sure will pay for a lot of country club luncheons," he added.
AFSCME is the co-founder of Fair Taxes for All, a broad-based coalition of over 500 national organizations that favors using the surplus in a more balanced and fair way. The coalition will officially announce its opposition in a press conference tomorrow, Thursday at 11:30 a.m. at the National Press Club, First Amendment Room, 529 14th St., N.W., Washington, D.C.
"President Bush's gigantic tax cut for the rich doesn't make economic sense, and it's morally wrong," Mr. McEntee said. "Why not save and spend in a way that will help all Americans?"
