A WARNING TO THE PRESIDENT AND CONGRESS ON THE BUDGET & 30,000 people fasting 12APR11

"Ah, you who make iniquitous decrees, who write oppressive statutes, to turn aside the needy from justice and to rob the poor of my people of their right, that widows may be your spoil, and that you may make the orphans your prey!"
- Isaiah 2:1-2
Doom to you who legislate evil, who make laws that make victims — laws that make misery for the poor, that rob my destitute people of dignity, exploiting defenseless widows, taking advantage of homeless children. What will you have to say on Judgment Day, when Doomsday arrives out of the blue? Who will you get to help you? What good will your money do you?  (Isaiah 10:1-3, The Message)

So far, more than 30,000 people are participating in a rolling fast to protest the immoral budget cuts Republicans are pushing in Washington. We never imagined this would spread so far, so quickly. In fact, 28 progressive members of Congress have now joined in.

With some help from Grammy-nominated recording artist Moby, we've put together a short, powerful video about this fast. Please check it out and then help spread the message by passing it on: http://www.moveon.org/r?r=207766&id=26909-17549061-7aiuYax&t=1

Watch the video

This is about sending the message that balancing the budget on the back of the most vulnerable is simply immoral—and the need for that message has never been greater.

Last week's budget agreement—now public—contains cuts to critical programs but does little to make corporations and the rich pay their fair share.¹

More than half of the $38 billion in cuts target education, labor, and health programs.²

The worst cuts and riders didn't make it into the budget—but that was the Republican plan all along: propose the unthinkable, threaten to shut down the government, and then walk away with cuts that would have been beyond the pale just a few months ago.

Now Republicans are pushing a new round of proposals to abolish Medicare and make far deeper cuts to education, nutrition, health care, and other essential programs—while giving even bigger tax breaks to millionaires and corporations. And this time, after winning so much in the last round, the Republicans actually have a shot at getting every last cut they want.

We need to restore a moral dimension to the warped debate going on in Washington. Sharing this video is a simple way to start.

Thanks for all you do.

–Daniel, Michael, Tate, Sarah, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "Historic Spending Cuts the Centerpiece for Final Continuing Resolution (CR) for Fiscal Year 2011," House Committee on Appropriations, April 12, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=207753&id=26909-17549061-7aiuYax&t=4

2. "Budget deal: Cuts of $38 billion include accounting gimmicks, target Obama priorities," the Washington Post, April 12, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=207751&id=26909-17549061-7aiuYax&t=5

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.

---

PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.