Bush Budget is Bad for Maryland

Is anyone really surprised?

The budget would cut $31.5 million in funding for elementary and secondary education in Maryland in 2012, according to the center's report.

Additionally, in 2008 the new budget would trim $10.7 million from Environmental Protection Agency clean water programs in Maryland, as well as cut $6.6 million from low-income home energy assistance, according to the center. The reductions are relative to the funding level in 2007 adjusted for inflation.

This is completely unacceptable.

Of course, Roscoe Bartlett is right there, carrying water for the President.

"The president has proposed to eliminate the budget deficit in five years without raising taxes by maintaining successful pro-growth economic policies and by restraining the growth in federal spending," said Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, R-Frederick. "I never forget that every dollar the government spends comes from taxes earned by workers or is borrowed from our kids and grandkids."

"However, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities wants the government to spend more and tax more of your money," said Bartlett.

I think Rep. Bartlett has been watching some other President. Starve the citizens and bolster the war effort. Cut education and energy support for the poor so you can give billions back to CEOs. Meanwhile, those of us caught in the middle, too "rich" for government assistance and tax breaks, and too poor to feel the "trickle down" or the "middle class tax relief" are left to wonder who the President and Rep Bartlett think their policies are really helping.