For Immediate Release: December 5, 2012
VIRGINIA ORGANIZING HOLDS FORUM AT MARY BALDWIN COLLEGE TO DISCUSS "FISCAL CLIFF"
Staunton, VA — The Augusta/Staunton/Waynesboro Chapter of Virginia Organizing conducted a public forum and discussion on the "fiscal cliff" and looming budget showdown in Washington, D.C. at Mary Baldwin College's Francis Auditorium on Tuesday night.
Virginia Organizing member Connie Birch believes the "fiscal cliff" is more about politics than real people. "Congress is protected. They don't need the safety net programs like the rest of us do," said Birch.
Virginia Organizing is asking Congress to end the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest two percent and protect and expand social safety net programs like Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security.
"Congress needs to put aside their political agendas and the posturing and work for the common good. This so-called 'fiscal cliff' is really about who pays. Will it be the wealthiest two percent or will the burden fall to the rest of us?" asked Birch.
If the Bush tax cuts were ended for the wealthiest two percent, nearly $1 trillion in revenue could be raised. This could prevent cuts to important programs that people rely upon for their basic needs like housing, health care, and food.
Virginia Organizing supports ending the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest two percent and making no cuts to Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid programs. As a state affiliate of Americans for Tax Fairness, Virginia Organizing is asking the Virginia Congressional delegation to consider who the burden of paying for reckless, excessive tax cuts will be — the wealthy who benefitted from those tax cuts or everyone else.
To interview a spokesperson for Virginia Organizing, please contact Amanda Pohl at 804-337-1912 or amanda@virginia-organizing.org.
Virginia Organizing is a statewide grassroots organization that brings people together to create a more just Virginia.
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