Kerry Challenges Administration’s Big Business Agenda

[kerrygoddess]

Kerry Challenges Administration’s Big Business Agenda
27 April 2005


Continuing his challenges to the Bush administration’s big business policies, John Kerry spoke today on the Senate floor honoring the 25 million small businesses in America while pointing out the inequities of the Bush administration’s support for the real small businesses of America.

Here’s some quips from Kerry’s floor statement:

“National Small Business Week is a time to celebrate the hard work of millions of American entrepreneurs… Today, those Americans are more than small business owners. They are employers, community leaders, and the keepers of the American Dream.

“Our small business owners not only remind us of the opportunities America provides to those willing to work for it – they also remind us how much opportunity small businesses provide to all Americans.

“Small businesses drive our economy, comprising over 99 percent of all firms and over half of our GDP. Two-thirds of all new American jobs are created by small businesses. A majority of Americans depend on their small business employer for health insurance. Our small businesses are responsible for countless inventions and innovations that have elevated the standard of living in the U.S. and around the world.

“Entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well in America. Three in four adults have considered starting a small business, and with the advent of the Internet those numbers are going up.

“Supporting our small businesses is a win-win proposition for America. We can afford it. The people want it. And our economy needs it.

“That’s why it’s so hard to understand the administration’s lack of support. The SBA budget has been cut over a third since 2001, the largest reduction of any federal agency. Those cuts would have been far greater if Congress had not intervened… Time and time again we have received unanimous support in the Senate to rebuff proposed administration cuts. That’s because supporting small business shouldn’t be a partisan issue and never has been.

MORE - http://www.lightupthedarkness.org/blog/default.asp?view=plink&id=789

[Mass]

1. Seems that he is everywhere this week

yesterday at the finance committee reminding There is No Crisis, Monday speaking about the Energy Policy, ...

Good to see him engaged again. Too bad that this is not covered more on the media.

[indepat]

2. The big business agenda: an obscene obscenity laden in tax breaks and

limits from liability, all detrimental to the overall good of the American public.

[flpoljunkie]

3. Our "shadow" president speaks same day Dubya addresses the SBA.

I like it!

Dubya primarily went there to harangue the Senate to pass his energy bill, "Git it on my desk!" he ordered.

Dubya also used the occasion to hawk more "nukular" power plants and asked Congress to provide "risk insurance" to the nuclear industry to spur construction of new nuclear power plants. This means taxpayers will pay to clean up any "nukular" accidents.

Dubya also wants refinersies build on old military bases--guess that way he can rationalize not cleaning them up. Many are environmental disasters.