United Church of Christ - JPANet: Raise the Debt Ceiling & Protect our Communities

JPANet: Raise the Debt Ceiling & Protect our Communities

In the midst of our severe, prolonged economic downturn, the federal government is borrowing money to pay its bills and meet its obligations. By law, Congress sets the limit (ceiling) on the amount of money the government may borrow. If it is to continue to function, Congress must increase the government’s debt limit before August 2.

American Girl Raising the debt ceiling is essentially a book-keeping task. It does not change federal spending. At this time, the budget for the federal government is set through the end of September, 2011. In the coming months, Congress will pass a budget for the next fiscal year, October, 2011, through September, 2012. Raising the debt ceiling does not affect these budgets, increase spending, or change the size of the deficit.

Some members of Congress are refusing to support an increase in the debt limit except as part of a package that includes huge spending cuts. These reductions in spending, if they follow the pattern established in the House of Representatives’ recent budget proposal, would target programs for low- and moderate-income people and essential government functions. The cuts would further harm people who are already suffering and prolong (and possibly worsen) the economic downturn.

Any conditions that are attached to an increase in the debt ceiling should target reductions in the deficit, not just cuts in government spending. Shrinking the deficit must be done through both spending cuts and tax increases on wealthy households and corporations. Tax increases as well as spending cuts must be part of any effort to reduce the deficit.

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Dear [Decision Maker],

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As a person of faith and member of the United Church of Christ, I urge you to raise the debt ceiling as soon as possible. It should be a "clean" vote, without conditions. But if conditions are imposed, they should target the deficit and include tax increases as well as spending cuts.

Unfortunately, some members of Congress are seeking to make their support for raising the debt ceiling conditional upon massive cuts in federal spending. These cuts, that will likely follow the same pattern as those in the House budget proposal, will target programs for low- and moderate-income people and essential government functions. The cuts will further harm people who are already suffering and prolong (and possibly worsen) the economic downturn.

Any conditions that are attached to an increase in the debt ceiling should target reductions in the deficit, not just cuts in government spending. Shrinking the deficit must be done through both spending cuts and tax increases on wealthy households and corporations. Tax increases must be part of any effort to reduce the deficit, not just spending cuts.

I urge you to raise the debt ceiling and any conditions attached to the vote should include tax increases as well as spending cuts.  Thank you.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP]
[Your Email]