Charlie Melancon: “I cannot vote for this reconciliation plan for one very simple reason: Now is not the time to be cutting taxes for the…”

“I cannot vote for this reconciliation plan for one very simple reason: Now is not the time to be cutting taxes for the wealthy in our country when the people of the ravaged gulf coast region receive silence and burdensome loans. I join my fellow Blue Dogs in opposition to this plan. Do the math: $54 billion in spending cuts minus $70 billion in tax cuts equals a $16 billion increase in the deficit. We give tax cuts to the rich and continue to run up the deficit, but continue to send loans to the people who need their government the most in the gulf coast region. Our government must do just as President Bush said in Jackson Square, whatever it takes to rebuild. I agree with the President on rebuilding. But let me be clear. Cutting taxes for the wealthy while loaning money to the devastated communities along the gulf coast is the wrong course of action. Let us start sending real help to the people in need and stop sending millionaires refund checks. ____________________”