A false choice on paying for hurricane relief

As the debate continues over how our nation will pay to recover from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, it seems as though Republicans have put a false choice before the Congress. Neither option bodes well for the future health of America. This fallacious choice is exemplified in the lead of an article in yesterday's Chattanooga Times Free Press:

WASHINGTON - Tennessee and Georgia lawmakers are debating whether to slash specific programs or make across-the-board budget cuts to pay for about $200 billion in Hurricane Katrina recovery.

Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., who is on the Budget Committee, said members are trying to come up with $50 billion to $100 billion in spending reductions over the next five years.

"We are looking at the entire budget and attempting to spread the spending restraints in a balanced way," Sen. Alexander said. "I would like to avoid across-the-board cuts because some programs are more important for our country's future than others, for example, investments in science and technology."

Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., said he favors an across-the-board cut on all nondefense spending.

"I think it would be far easier to accomplish than to attack programs one at a time," Sen. Isakson said.

One option that Republicans refuse to entertain is to roll back some of this administration's excessive tax cuts for those in the highest income brackets. Our country is, to put it frankly, strapped for cash. We are writing checks for the tax cuts of today on the backs of loans from nations like China that will be our rivals for years to come.

Also, don't be deceived when you see Republicans talking about "program cuts". The cuts won't be coming to corporate welfare programs or bridges to nowhere. As this NPR story notes, the programs on the cutting block are basic entitlements like Medicaid and foodstamps, even vital programs for working families like home heating subsidies.

Southern progressives must speak out on these issues. Paying for Katrina by leaving millions of other people out in the cold is bad thinking and bad policy.