Reject President Bush's Budget

President Bush is calling for significant cuts in the services on which working families rely and which many AFSCME members provide. The President is also demanding that his previous tax cuts for the wealthy be made permanent.

This is an outrage. These misplaced priorities are unacceptable.

Please send a message to your Senators and Representative right now. Tell them to reject the President's budget and pass a budget with the right priorities.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Reject President Bush's Budget

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

Despite an economy that is slipping towards recession, the President has proposed a budget with significant cuts in the services on which working families rely. This is just wrong. So too is the President's demand that his tax cuts for the wealthy be made permanent.

I urge you to stand up for the right priorities and reject the president's budget.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
February 05, 2008


Background Information

Examples of the President's proposed budget cuts include:

Medicare: The budget calls for large cuts in Medicare payments to hospitals, nursing homes, ambulances and home health agencies - as well as physicians. The cuts in Medicare total $178 billion over five years. Such large cuts threaten the ability of Medicare beneficiaries to access the services they need. In a demonstration of misplaced priorities, the President's budget continues the windfall subsidies to the private insurance plans, known as Medicare Advantage plans, which are an alternative to the less expensive government-administered Medicare program.

Medicaid: The President's budget proposes cutting Medicaid $25.7 billion over five years. In addition to shifting substantial costs to the states, the budget would eliminate important health services for families in need.

Grants for State and Local Services: The President's budget cuts grants to state and local governments by nearly $19 billion. These cuts would impact services in a broad range of areas including: education; crime fighting and corrections; subsidized child care for low-income families; services to help job seekers find employment and access job training; water/sewer projects; public housing and more.