By a margin of 74% to 26%, Massachusetts voters sent a clear message to both Democrats and Republicans in Washington about the federal budget crisis and the impending “fiscal cliff”. The Budget for All ballot question was supported by 556,000 to 190,930 in preliminary results. It calls for no cuts to Social Security, Medicare, or other vital programs; investment in useful jobs; an end to corporate tax loopholes and to the Bush cuts on taxes on high incomes; withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan now; and redirection of military spending to domestic needs and job creation.
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| Election day signs in Roslindale |
“It is very significant that the Budget for All passed overwhelmingly in all 91 Massachusetts cities and towns where in was on the ballot, ranging from Boston to Holyoke to Norwood and Fall River,” said Paul Shannon of the American Friends Service Committee.
“The vote in Massachusetts sends a clear message to Senator Kerry, Senator Brown, Senator-elect Warren and elected officials across the state that it is time for a new discussion in Washington, Beacon Hill and across the country: Don’t use the deficit as an excuse to cut necessary programs that benefit all of us. We should deal with the deficit by changing the policies that caused it, not by cutting teachers’ jobs, mass transit, Medicaid and food aid,” said Margaret Arneaud, board member of the Massachusetts Alliance of HUD Tenants.
The Budget for All passes at a critical moment as the “fiscal cliff” and “sequestration” loom on Washington’s horizon. Unless Congress acts now, automatic cuts in needed programs will go into effect beginning January 1. And even bigger cuts will follow.
“The passage of this ballot initiative is a clear rejection of the idea of a ‘grand bargain’ presently being discussed in the media and by the Administration, which would accept draconian cuts to jobs and social programs in exchange for small increases in revenue and insignificant cuts to military programs,” said Laurie Taymor-Berry, legislative liaison for Survivors Inc.
“We see there’s a war going on in our own neighborhoods, where people are dying from shootings and killings and issues in our communities. It frustrates residents to see that so much is being spent on the military and overseas instead of bringing those resources right here in our own neighborhoods,” said Mimi Ramos, Executive Director of New England United for Justice.
The presidential election campaign this fall is a time when many Americans are talking politics, open to discussion and new ideas. Yet the two major national parties limit the debate and many proposals for real solutions are "off the table." A dynamic coalition of peace, labor, housing and community activists came together to address this problem. Working countless volunteer hours to gather signatures, the coalition has put the Budget for All policy referendum on the Nov. 6 ballot. A "yes" vote advises our representatives to support jobs and social security, fair taxation, ending the Afghanistan War and cutting the military budget. Many people were surprised and pleased when they signed the petition. Now we need to engage the voters with a real discussion of how to put the country on the right track. This is our chance to send a clear message to Congress, the president and the nation about what the people of Massachusetts really want. We need an overwhelming "yes" vote!
