FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GOP Pledge Filled with Hypocrisy, Inconsistency

Overland Park, Kansas — September 24, 2010 – The recent Pledge to America released by Republican leaders is filled with platitudes and makes promises that can not be kept given the realities of our current federal budget. This pledge is designed to lull voters into a false sense of security in casting their votes for Republican candidates.

Lisa Johnston, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, has been vocal about taxes and the federal budget throughout her campaign and feels voters deserve the truth about the current federal budget situation. “The truth is, we currently spend approximately 94% of our total federal revenue on mandatory expenses, which includes entitlements like Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, and interest on the national debt. This leaves around $200 billion for all other expenses which would be only enough to pay for roughly one-third of our current defense budget. This is why we have a huge deficit.” said Lisa.

“Despite the fact that many Republican candidates – including my opponent – claim we have a spending problem and not a revenue problem, this just isn’t true. The fact is, we need more revenue if we are going to fund our important priorities without increasing our budget deficit and national debt.”

“The Republican leadership refuses to share these facts with everyday citizens because they know we would be outraged. Every American should demand to know how those making this pledge intend to pay for their plan. How will they pay for keeping the tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans? Do they intend to cut entitlements like Social Security or Medicare? Do they intend to default on interest payments on the national debt? Do they intend to jeopardize our nation’s safety by underfunding the Department of Defense? Do they intend to eliminate all federal support for education and undermine the strength of our schools?”

“Voters must also ask themselves where these ideals were from 2000 to 2008 when out of control spending practices coupled with banking deregulation allowed our nation to fall into a financial crisis.” said Lisa. In his remarks Thursday, Representative John Boehner stated, “We [the GOP] are not going to be any different than we have been.” Lisa responded, “This statement should not give any of us hope for increased fiscal responsibility.”

“The truth is, in order to deal with our deficit and debt we must both reduce spending and increase revenue. There is simply no question about this. The current budget situation is completely incompatible with reducing the deficit and our national debt. Either those making this pledge do not truly understand the realities of the federal budget or they understand the implications but do not care because they are focused on protecting the interests of the wealthy individuals and/or corporations who support their campaigns. Neither of these explanations is acceptable. Americans deserve leaders who are looking out for the best interests of our nation and everyday Americans, not politicians who either do not know or do not care that they are driving our country into the ground.”

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