G. K. Butterfield: “We are at a crossroad in America where we must decide if we're going to continue building economic recovery on the backs…”

“We are at a crossroad in America where we must decide if we're going to continue building economic recovery on the backs of middle- and low-income families, or whether we're going to ask wealthy Americans to join in the sacrifice by paying their fair share. Too many Americans have already made sacrifices to aid our slow moving economy and reduce the deficit. The military had to scale back, Federal workers had to take a pay freeze, health care providers had to take a pay cut, but we have not required those who can actually afford it to share in the sacrifice. Changing our Nation's tax policies is not about redistribution of wealth; it's about fairness, doing what's best for the American people. If those who can afford it don't make the sacrifice, the survival of America will be affected. The President's budget will ensure that those who have been blessed with a portfolio that has multiplied under the Bush tax cuts will no longer be the primary beneficiaries of tax cuts and policies. I urge my colleagues to insist that all Americans, including the rich, share the pain of this recovery. ____________________”