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iSpeak on State of the Union Address
Again, we of the middle class are asked to sacrifice. We carry the burden for the rich and poor alike. I'm counting on Congress to vehemently reject this preposterous proposal. Thank God that the Democrats are in power. Wendy Cavanaugh
Quality Improvement Tech
Crouse Hospital
Syracuse, NY | Anything that the village idiot of Washington, D.C. recommends is political for the benefit of his stupid supporters. He is, in no way, to be trusted. Also, since I doubt that he has had ANY original ideas of his own, there is a very good chance that Dick Cheney and Karl Rove, who, if anything, are worse than Dubya, contributed much to the speech. Howard Rubin
Retired pharmacist
Nyack, NY | At long last, some of the very issues working folks, seniors and labor Unions have been concerned about were brought front and center. However, the credibility of our President is such that one can't look at anything he says as anything more then "rhetoric red herring" in an effort to escape his responsibility on solving the Iraq travesty. Once again the middle class are left in the back of the line while our President and his administration speak of our needs and issues in public oratory. But their actions behind closed doors reflect neocon needs and right wing ideology. We still have two more years and one more "state of the union" from this guy, brothers and sisters, and aside from broccoli and asparagus, there’s nothing I’m going to dislike more then this administratio’s rhetoric and lies. On another note, Sen. Jim Webb kicked butt in his response. Some may have noticed George made no mention of Katrina in his state of the union. Jim Webb did! Patrick Sullivan
CVPH Medical Center
Plattsburgh, NY | I think the president shouldn't tax the middle class more than we already are taxed. I believe instead the Government should update its info. For example, the federal poverty level is as follows $9,800 for 1 person household 13,200 for 2 16,600 for 3 20,000 for 4 23,400 for 5 26,800 for 6 I make about $32,000 working at legal aid. I don't have a family of 6 nor do I consider myself middle class. Instead I think we are working poor if you look at the cost of living in New York. However, when looked at on a federal level, it seems that we are middle class. Maybe Bush should stay in a New York hotel for two weeks and have to pay retail price at that hotel and then he'll get the picture that living on $32,000 a year in New York--when rent alone is anywhere from $850 - 1400 for a one bedroom--is not exactly what I pictured of the American dream. We are lucky to have our employer-paid benefits, which is why we took these jobs with such low pay. Now he wants to tax us for that. So where is the incentive for working with an agency that is run by poor people for poor people? Juan Alonzo
Paralegal
Legal Aid Society
NYC | It was not acceptable. We, the free American people, should never give another chance to the Bushes’ machinery and to Mr. Bush to continue letting Americans die for oil. How can we, the land of freedom, speak of liberties and self-determination in the world.when this administration has placed on a band over our mouths? Jose Carvaja
PFAS
New York Presbyterian Hospital
NYC | | I have been a member of 1199 since 1970. I am one of the few "old timers" left here at Montefiore--and one of the few members alive that remember Leon Davis. I am a pioneer of 1199. I worked hard to be a faithful and productive member of 1199. I feel that our benefits have been fought for by me and my brothers/sisters. It is my belief that the President should find other means to subsidize health care insurance for those that don't have insurance. Carlos Rojas
OR Engineer
Montefiore Medical Center
The Bronx, NY | | I think George Bush is full of shit! After $15,000 of coverage, the individual insurance coverage gets taxed!. It’s just another ploy to get money out of the middle class. Luis Vargas
Dialysis technician
Long Island Jewish Hospital
New Hyde Park, NY | | I believe that we as a Union need to begin putting more emphasis on dealing with the disease of the current political system, i.e. campaign finance reform. We need to step away from just channeling money at the Democrats and at the Republicans (when strategy calls for it). Instead, we need to look at ending political contributions as they currently exist. We need to get taxpayer-funded elections, clean elections, whatever you want to call it. The poor are not even mentioned in campaigns anymore because they don't have the money power necessary to get attention. Maybe one day we will not have to worry about donating to an opportunistic career politician and instead start electing our fellow members to important seats at the political table. Martin Pszczola
Organizer
1199SEIU New Organizing
NYC | I'm puzzled why I, as a worker, should be penalized for my health care package. If taxed I must then plug up the tax loopholes of the rich. Maybe its time for a flat tax.
Danuta Widlo
X-ray tech
New York Presbyterian Hospital
NYC | | This is just another mindless proposal from Bush. There would be absolutely no reason for any employer to have insurance coverage if this plan is implemented. Mandatory health insurance by employers would make more sense instead of placing even greater tax burden on the "working poor." Of course Bush and his rich friends would love this--more taxes for us and less for the rich. Clyde Mahony
Respiratory therapist
St. Elizabeth Nursing Home
Staten Island, NY | | President Bush has a lot of nerve! Instead of going to war, he could have used the same dollars to create universal healthcare. Giving a tax break (individual-family) is a band aid approach. Reinvest real dollars to have a universal healthcare(short/long term). This tax break can't purchase prescriptions. Look at states who are trying to solve this problem! Patrick B. Alleyne
Dietary aide
Woodcrest Rehab Res HCC
Flushing, NY |
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