Dean Calls For New Controls on Business

[better2know]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A59183-2003Nov18?language=printer

-snip-

In an interview around midnight Monday on his campaign plane with a small group of reporters, Dean listed likely targets for what he dubbed as his "re-regulation" campaign: utilities, large media companies and any business that offers stock options. Dean did not rule out "re-regulating" the telecommunications industry, too.

He also said a Dean administration would require new workers' standards, a much broader right to unionize and new "transparency" requirements for corporations that go beyond the recently enacted Sarbanes-Oxley law.

"In order to make capitalism work for ordinary human beings, you have to have regulation," Dean said. "Right now, workers are getting screwed."

-end snip-

Wa-hooo!
This is the gospel.
Then we will just have to get "corporate persons" out of politics altogether.
Invoke the original thirteenth amendment!
Other dem canidates should also ante up or shut up.

[blm]

1. Kerry's been going after big corps. for YEARS. Where was Dean?

Kissing ass at the CATO Institute and bragging about his DEREGULATION credentials.

What a crock to get the primary vote of those who won't bother to learn his REAL record.

Here's high praise of Dean from those who LOVED his deregulating principles, the CATO Institute:

The Appeal of Howard Dean
From the September 15, 2003 issue: Why he could be Bush's more dangerous opponent.
by Stephen Moore
09/15/2003, Volume 009, Issue 01

SEVERAL YEARS AGO an obscure Democratic governor from the politically inconsequential state of Vermont was the guest speaker at a Cato Institute lunch. His name was Howard Dean. He had been awarded one of the highest grades among all Democrats (and a better grade than at least half of the Republicans) in the annual Cato Fiscal Report Card on the Governors. We were curious about his views because we had heard that he harbored political ambitions beyond the governorship.

Dean charmed nearly everyone in the boardroom. He came across as erudite, policy savvy, and, believe it or not, a friend of free markets--at least by the standards of the Tom Daschle-Dick Gephardt axis of the Democratic party. Even when challenged on issues like environmentalism, where he favored a large centralized mass of intrusive regulations, Dean remained affable.
"You folks at Cato," he told us, "should really like my views because I'm economically conservative and socially laissez-faire." Then he continued: "Believe me, I'm no big-government liberal. I believe in balanced budgets, markets, and deregulation. Look at my record in Vermont." He was scathing in his indictment of the "hyper-enthusiasm for taxes" among Democrats in Washington.

He left--and I will never forget the nearly hypnotic reaction. The charismatic doctor had made believers of several hardened cynics. Nearly everyone agreed that we had finally found a Democrat we could work with. Since then, I've watched Dean's career with more than a little interest and we chat from time to time on the phone.

>>>>>>>
But he weathered the storm. Dean is nothing if not a survivor--as well as an iconoclast. Even as he pursued wild-eyed social experiments, Dean carefully nurtured a reputation as a "business-friendly" governor. On numerous occasions he pragmatically swept aside onerous environmental regulations and last-use restrictions (this is the greenest state of all) to make room for business expansion and jobs, jobs, jobs. He supported electricity deregulation to take monopolistic pricing power away from big utilities. He even launched one of the nation's most progressive voucher programs for high school students.

>>>>>>>
http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/003/073ylkiz.asp 

What a pack of fools Dean is playing you all for....he HAS NO PRINCIPLED stands from governor to campaigner.

[Eloriel]

3. Oh yeah, blm. I'll definitely take YOUR word for that.

You who have SO much credibility here at DU.

Uh huh.

Eloriel

[blm]

6. Look at Dean's OWN words Eloriel.

He and Moore have been friendly for years. I doubt they shared Democratic values in common.

And the only people who accuse me of not being credible are Deanies who can't bear to read Dean's own words and ACTUAL centrist record of governance that TARGETED liberals and progressive Democrats while aligning with the GOP in Vermont.

[ozone_man]

10. He never aligned with the GOP in VT.

He was in the center to right/center of the Party, not the left wing (progressive wing) of the Democratic Party. But Vermont, being so liberal (we have the only socialist congressman), puts him squarely in the center nationally. He is not really a liberal in the broad sense, but he is on social issues, civil rights, health care, education, Iraq war. These are the things that are important to me. He is a fiscal conservative.

Kind of a difficult guy to label, isn't he? That's why both Republicans and DLC are having fits. But he definitely wasn't aligned with the GOP in Vermont.

I think he has moved a bit to the left (slightly) in the last couple years, I encourage the shift, if that is what has been happening. I think Dean has a good handle on what can be achieved at state and national levels. Some state issues like gun control and civil unions don't always work at the national level. The times are changing, and I think Dean will change to meet the needs of the times.

[blm]

15. The Dems in Vt. said he often aligned with the GOP against them.

Why pretend he didn't?


By ROSS SNEYD

Associated Press Writer

MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — Howard Dean may be many things, say those who worked with him over nearly a dozen years as Vermont governor, but an elitist liberal is hardly one of them.

He’s actually a lot more moderate — many would say conservative — than the reputation he’s built during his campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination.



>>>>>>>>
Dean kept his distance from his party’s liberals during his governorship.

"He seemed to take glee in attacking us at every opportunity and using us as a way to form alliances with more conservative elements," said former state Sen. Cheryl Rivers, a leader of the state Democrats’ liberal wing and former chairwoman of the powerful Senate Finance Committee.

Dean fashioned himself a position in the political center of Vermont politics even as the state has moved steadily to the left.

>>>>>>>
Many back in Vermont have shrugged their shoulders as they’ve watched Dean allow himself to be cast as a liberal. They know it’s not the first time politicians have miscalculated his political leanings.

>>>>>>>>>>>
Dean trimmed spending or held down increases in areas held dear by the liberals. More than once, Dean went to battle over whether individual welfare benefits should rise under automatic cost of living adjustments. Liberals were particularly incensed when he tried that tactic on a program serving the blind, disabled and elderly, which he did several times.

Dean turned often to the bully pulpit to belittle and berate them.
>>>>>>>>>

[ozone_man]

35. Dean was a moderate as the article points out.

Being governor requires listening to all sides, not just the left. I admit that I voted for a progressive over him once, because of his decision on the Hydro Quebec contract.

Look, Vermont has always had a balanced budget under Dean, while California has been nearly bankrupted by Enron and the like.

As I've said before, Dean is not a liberal in the broad sense, but on the issues that count most, he is. He is a fiscal conservative and understands that we can't pay for everything that we'd like.

Also, I mentioned that we are a bit more liberal up here, I think it's the maple syrup or something. But even our long time Republican Senator Jim Jeffords had to confess, that he was really an "Independent", not a Republican. I mean, when the Republican senator votes more progressively (thorn in Reagan's side) than the Democrat Leahy (very liberal), and the sole congressman is a self described socialist, who always wins with 70% of the vote, you know you have a liberal state. Even conservatives vote for Bernie, because they know he will fight those crooks in Washington (TPTB) for them, even if they don't quite agree with some of his ideas. So my point is, that Dean being center/right Democrat in VT is center of the Party nationally, and still left on social issues that count.

Though a fiscal conservative, I was surprised and delighted to see him push for rail transportation to try to resurrect the rail system Vermont has, to allow public commuting. But, being a rural state, there really wasn't enough to ridership to support the federally funded pilot program. Wasn't Dean's money (see, he's pretty smart with money).

[sandnsea]

5. Thank you

I was too disgusted by this to take the time to look up the articles and respond. Just sickening.

[sfecap]

8. Here's an example of Kerry going after business..

Kerry Carries Water for Top Donor

By M. Asif Ismail

WASHINGTON, May 7, 2003 — Sen. John F. Kerry, D-Mass., whose largest campaign contributor lobbies on behalf of telecommunication interests, pushed the legislative priorities of its clients in the wireless industry on several occasions, a Center for Public Integrity analysis of campaign, lobbying and congressional records has found. That analysis is part of the Center's research for The Buying of the President 2004 (to be published by HarperCollins), which tracks the financial backers and interests of the major candidates for the White House.

Kerry, who is seeking the Democratic presidential nomination, has sponsored or co-sponsored a number of bills favorable to the industry and has written letters to government agencies on behalf of the clientele of his largest donor.

Boston-based Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo P.C. has been the biggest financial backer of the Massachusetts Democrat's two decades-long political career in elected office, with its employees contributing nearly $187,000 to various Kerry races, including his current presidential campaign.

(snip)

Kerry and his wife Teresa Heinz Kerry have substantial holdings in telecommunications companies; between $17.6 million and $47.1 million of their combined fortune is held in companies with a stake in the industry, the Center's analysis of his financial disclosure form revealed.

(more)


http://www.bop2004.org/bop2004/report.aspx?aid=4


Telecommunications Bill - Conference Report

Bill Number: S 652
Issue: Telecommunications
Date: 02/01/1996
Sponsor:


Roll Call Number: 0008
Conference report adopted
Full Member List

Senator John Forbes Kerry voted YES.

Pass telecommunications bill to decrease regulations and increase competition

S 652: The Telecommunications Act of 1996

Vote to adopt the conference report of a bill to promote competition and reduce regulation of the telecommunications industry. The bill eliminates many restrictions on cable rates, allows long distance and cable companies into the local phone service market, and increases the number of stations that individual media companies can own. It also requires television sets to include a device that can be used to block out material rated as offensively sexual or violent in nature, and institutes a fine and/or imprisonment for people who knowingly use telecommunications devices to harass or make obscene communications towards others, or to make obscene or indecent communications to minors, among other provisions.
(Conference report adopted 91-5 on 2/1/96)

Bill Status:
Bill Number: S 652 - 104th Congress (1995-96)
House Passage Vote: 10/12/95 - Outcome: Passed by Voice Vote
Senate Passage Vote: 06/15/95 - Outcome: Passed
House Conference Report Vote: 02/01/96 - Outcome: Passed
Senate Conference Report Vote: 02/01/96 - Outcome: Passed
Presidential Action: Signed on 02/08/96
Public Law Number: 104-104 110 Stat. 56



Now, would Kerry have benefited personally from this Bill?

[blm]

9. HAH...that ARTICLE proves how HONEST KERRY IS.

180, 000 dollars from a number of his brother's CO-WORKERS at a law firm that did business with telecom companies, and over an 18 YEAR period of time. Bush has "pioneers" who donate more than that in ONE election cycle.

No matter how you spin it, Kerry has never carried water for ANY corporation and has NEVER accepted corporate pac money. Your smear attempts to imply otherwise are pathetic and dishonest.

The Dean campaign and their dishonest portrayal of Kerry as a "corrupt Washington insider." Disgusting.

[sfecap]

11. Let's see...

Accepts money from telecommunications lobbyist.

Votes to deregulate Telecommunications industry.

Has vast financial stake in Telecommunications industry.

Honesty. Yep. Uh Huh.

Clean as a whistle. You bet.

[SahaleArm]

21. Pot meet Kettle

"Hey IBM, I'll give you every tax break on the planet, build you a highway, and let you pollute the environment if you bring jobs to Vermont."

[better2know]

13. dude (blm) -you won't answer my posts but...

I'm asking for kerry (and other dems)corporate reform quotes and actions.

attack, attack, attack
kerry, kerry, kerry
dean is this, dean is that

smears, ad hominem attacks, not addressing the issues

"In order to make capitalism work for ordinary human beings, you have to have regulation," Dean said. "Right now, workers are getting screwed."

Put up or shut up!

[blm]

17. Why prejudge them? Kerry has been on this for years.

I'm shocked that you aren't aware of his longtime commitment and imply that Dean is ahead of the curve when he never has been.

Here are a few statements of Kerry's:

John Kerry Calls for Crack Down on Corporations That Avoid Taxes
Calls for legislation to Ensure No Government Contracts Go To Evaders

October  24,  2003

For Immediate Release
Exeter, NH -
Today, Democratic Presidential candidate John Kerry stood in Exeter near Tyco’s New Hampshire headquarters and announced that he is unveiling legislation to crack down on corporations that engage in the unpatriotic practice of incorporating offshore to avoid paying U.S. taxes.

John Kerry said, “We need the courage to stand up to unpatriotic companies that incorporate overseas to avoid taxes here at home.  Middle class Americans are having a harder time in this economy. And I say it’s long since time that powerful corporations paid their fair share.

“Under the Bush Administration, middle class Americans have been forgotten – their main street interests ignored, their mainstream values scorned by an Administration that puts favors for special interests and tax breaks for the wealthy first

“If I am elected President, I will close the loopholes that let these corporate Benedict Arnolds’ turn their back on America in order to make a fast buck.  And I will be introducing new laws to stop companies that mistreat their workers from getting government contracts. I say to these companies: when I am president you’ll only get a government contract in this country if you are good to your workers.

“We need to send a clear message to the American people that we favor those who are doing the right thing over those who are doing wrong to their employees, their companies, and their country.”

The Bush Administration has looked the other way as US companies have skirted paying billion of dollars taxes. The Bush Administration has diluted new laws and appointed former industry representatives as so called “watchdogs.” John Kerry believes that it should be illegal for corporations to use loopholes and gimmicks to avoid paying their share of Federal taxes.  Kerry is also announcing that he is unveiling new legislation that would prohibit any Federal government contracts from being awarded to corporations that have moved offshore simply to avoid taxes.

Summary of the Kerry plan:

Too Many Corporations Are Avoiding Responsibility

* Corporations Are Avoiding Paying Billions of Dollars in Taxes
In a growing trend, major U.S. corporations have been trading in their U.S. citizenship to set up offshore tax havens.  Last year, the General Accounting Office estimated annual revenue loss from various offshore tax entities at $40 billion. 
* These Corporations Are Still Getting Lucrative Government Contracts
These companies are often getting government contracts despite the fact that they are avoiding taxes. For example, Tyco, where John Kerry is today, is now centrally located in Bermuda, avoids paying $400 million a year in U.S. taxes through its shell headquarters offshore, but was awarded $331 million in Federal contracts in 2002. Accenture, which incorporated in Bermuda in 2001, received $449 million in Federal contracts in 2002.

Put an End to Corporate Expatriation

It is becoming all too common for corporations to profit by renouncing their U.S. citizenship and setting up shell headquarters in foreign countries to avoid paying U.S. taxes.  These companies otherwise continue to operate in the U.S. but shirk their responsibilities as corporate citizens. Four companies estimate tax savings of $525 million a year merely by incorporating in Bermuda. It is estimated that corporate expatriates will drain our federal treasury of an estimated $4 billion over the next decade.

Kerry has already supported legislation to close the loopholes which corporations have unfairly exploited to avoid paying U.S. taxes. Kerry believes that we should treat expatriating U.S. companies as U.S. corporations if former shareholders retain more than 80 percent ownership of the new nominally foreign corporation. Enron had about 800 partnerships to shield their dealings.

What Could $525 Million from Four Companies Buy?

* After-school for tens of thousands of kids
* Wounded Soldiers would not have to pay for their own meals. 
* We can help revive manufacturing by doubling Manufacturing Extension Program

New Legislation to Prohibit Awarding Government Contracts to Unpatriotic Corporations

John Kerry also believes that the government must stop awarding contracts to companies that are avoiding paying Federal taxes.  As President, Kerry would use a new standard to award government contracts.

You should only get a government contract in this country, if you are good to the workers in the United States of America.

Other Steps to Improve Corporate Responsibility

Restore Investor Confidence With Strong Enforcement by the Securities and Exchange Commission.  John Kerry will provide sufficient funding for the SEC and ensure regulations are enforced.

Assure Corporations Account for Disparities on the Books. A recent Joint Committee on Taxation report found that Enron claimed a $2.3 billion in profit between 1996 and 1999 in reports to its investors, while reporting a $3 billion tax loss to the IRS. John Kerry believes corporations should have to account these kinds of disparities.
End Unfair Protections for CEOs. Executives should not be walking away with millions of dollars in salaries and benefits while their workers are laid off their companies are defaulting on loans. Kerry would tighten the laws that allow corporations to take advantage of tax deductions for performance based executive pay – even when executives do nothing to improve productivity.

[blm]

19. and his Senate res. on the media and FCC

Speaker: Senator John Forbes Kerry (MA)
Title: Disapproving Federal Communications Commission Broadcast Media Ownership Rule
Location: Washington, DC
Date: 09/16/2003
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD
SENATE
PAGE S11501
Sept. 16, 2003
Disapproving Federal Communications Commission Broadcast Media Ownership Rule

(At the request of Mr. DASCHLE, the following statement was ordered to be printed in the RECORD.)

Mr. KERRY. Mr. President, today the Senate will vote on a joint resolution, of which I am a proud cosponsor, to disapprove the Federal Communications Commission's June 2, 2003, rules designed to loosen restrictions on broadcast media ownership. It is the Commission's responsibility to ensure that media ownership rules serve our national goals of diversity, competition and localism. Unfortunately, the Commission's June 2, 2003, ruling fails to meet this standard.

The resolution before us today would reverse the FCC's decision to change the national television ownership cap from 35 percent to 45 percent, a decision that threatens local and independent voices in television. The television industry is undergoing rapid consolidation as a handful of national networks have acquired local stations across the country. I am concerned that when local stations are purchased by a national network, independent voices are lost in the media

marketplace. Locally owned and operated stations are more likely to be responsive to local needs, interests and values than those stations owned and operated by national networks. Indeed many local stations are small businesses that drive innovative competition. A system of concentrated station ownership will trend toward nationalized programming aimed primarily at maximizing revenue with less concern for local interests and less room for competition.

The resolution before us today will also reverse the FCC's decision to significantly loosen restrictions on cross-ownership of broadcast stations and newspapers within single markets. The cross-ownership rule is intended to increase or at least maintain the number of independent editorial voices in a community. This is especially important in smaller communities where citizens have fewer media operations covering local matters. While there is scant evidence that weakening this rule will result in significant economic benefit, leading academics and media experts have argued that doing so will dangerously reduce the venues for independent public discourse.

I am also concerned with the process by which the FCC conducted these proceedings. This media ownership rulemaking is among the most important the FCC has undertaken, and it has garnered unprecedented public interest. Despite this, the Commission moved forward with dramatic rule changes without first taking public comment on a specific proposal. The Commission's outreach was simply insufficient. All parties concerned would have been better served if the Commission published a specific proposal and then allowed for a period of public comment before promulgating any rule changes.

The Commission's first responsibility is to ensure diversity, competition and localism. The Commission has no responsibility to facilitate the business plans of the major networks or any other narrow economic interest. I strongly support the disapproval resolution before us today.·

[blm]

20. and more to end corporate welfare....

JOHN KERRY’S REAL DEAL FOR AMERICA: END BUSH WELFARE FOR BIG CORPORATE INTERESTS AND WEALTHY CONTRIBUTORS AND BOLSTER SMALL BUSINESSES


November  17,  2003

For Immediate Release
Des Moines, IA
Democratic Presidential candidate John Kerry today unveiled his plan to get the small business economy back on track. Small businesses are the engine of the American economy but they have been suffering under George W. Bush. George W. Bush has chosen to help big contributors and wealthy contributors.

John Kerry said, “I’m running for President to make sure more small businesses have more ups than downs – our prosperity and our jobs depend on it.  I’m running to replace George Bush’s Raw Deal with a Real Deal that promotes entrepreneurship and small businesses instead of protecting the privileges and perks of big corporations.”

“Over the past two years, the number of small business closures has been greater than the number being started. But George Bush has cut back on help for small businesses and met small business owners’ pleas with a cold shoulder and silence.  He has cut taxes for the wealthy and given special favors to special interests.  But he has given small businesses the shaft.  George Bush has decreased loans to average small companies, trimmed venture capital funding to fast-growing small businesses, and cut small business development assistance that lets businesses like this one grow and prosper.

“Small businesses are anything but small to the men and women that start them – they embody hopes as big as our imaginations.  And for the millions of Americans that work in small businesses, they provide jobs at a time when far too many Americans are out of work.  America is relying on the job-creating power of small businesses – and we need a President ready to harness that power and bring back jobs.

“Today, I’m unveiling a four point plan to help our small businesses succeed and grow.  In a Kerry Administration, small businesses will have a real voice and a seat at the table.  We’ll help small businesses and their employees afford health care.  We’ll give small businesses the tools they need to succeed.  And we’ll strengthen America’s small manufacturers. 

 John Kerry has chaired the Small Business Committee and understands the importance of entrepreneurship. Today Kerry unveiled a four point plan to help small businesses.

 

JOHN KERRY’S REAL DEAL FOR AMERICA:
END BUSH WELFARE FOR BIG CORPORATE INTERESTS AND WEATHY CONTRIBUTORS AND BOLSTER SMALL BUSINESSES
 

Today, John Kerry unveiled his plan to get small business going again.  Small businesses are the engine of the American economy but they have been suffering under George W. Bush. George W. Bush has chosen to help big contributors and wealthy contributors. John Kerry has chaired the Small Business Committee and understands the importance of entrepreneurship. He unveiled a four point plan to help small businesses.

GEORGE W. BUSH: SUPPORTING CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTORS AND BIG CORPORATIONS

$42,000: the average savings members of Bush’s cabinet will save as a result of cuts in the capital gains and dividend taxes. $42,228 is the median household income in 2001.
 

$116,000 the amount that Vice President Dick Cheney is expected to save in taxes this year.
 

$100 billion for 16 biggest corporations.  Bush proposed repealing the corporate AMT which would have given 16 corporations would receive checks of over $100 million each. $1.4 billion would flow to IBM, $833 million to General Motors, and $671 million to General Electric.
 

$2 billion: Iraq reconstruction contracts awarded to Haliburton.  
 

BUSH PLAN: A RAW DEAL FOR SMALL BUSINESS 

Over the past two years, the number of small business closures has been greater than the number being started.  This is not surprising since the Bush business agenda has focused largely on letting big corporations off the hook.  In fact, Bush paid for proposals by decreasing loans to average small companies, trimming venture capital funding to fast-growing small businesses, and cutting small business development assistance.

 

JOHN KERRY: A POSITIVE AGENDA FOR SMALL BUSINESS

 

(1)   Small Businesses A Large Voice in the Kerry Administration

 

(2)   Health Care at One-Third the Cost

 

(3)   Help Small Businesses Get the Tools They Need to Succeed

 

(4)   Strengthen America’s Small Manufacturers

 

 

JOHN KERRY: A CHAMPION OF SMALL BUSINESS ENTREPRENEUR. As the former Chairman and current Ranking Member of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, John Kerry has been a national leader in promoting small businesses growth. Kerry owned his own small business, a cookie and muffin shop – Kilvert and Forbes – that he opened in 1980 with a friend in Boston’s Quincy Market giving him first hand experience of the obstacles faced by small business owners.  As President, John Kerry will bring the lessons of owning and working in a small business and his leadership fighting to support small businesses in the Senate to the White House.

 

I. SMALL BUSINESS WILL HAVE A LARGE VOICE IN THE KERRY ADMINISTRATION

 

o       GIVE SMALL BUSINESS CABINET LEVEL POSITION AND WHITE HOUSE CONFERENCE.  As soon as he takes office, John Kerry will reinstate the head of the Small Business Administration to the President’s cabinet, giving small business a seat at the table and a voice among the President’s closest advisors. To enable the President and Administration to learn the top concerns of the nation’s small businesses, John Kerry will convene a White House summit of small businesses and entrepreneurs to develop a plan for addressing those concerns.

 

o       GIVE SMALL BUSINESSES A VOICE AT THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION.  To ensure that effects on small businesses are considered in resolving international trade issues, John Kerry will create an Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Small Business to work directly with the U.S. Trade Representative.

 

o       ENSURE FEDERAL REGULATIONS ARE FAIR FOR SMALL BUSINESS. John Kerry will require each cabinet level agency to annually assess the time and money effects on small businesses of current and proposed regulations and to develop a plan for reducing such impacts, where possible, and where consistent with their purpose and intent. Kerry will also double the operating and research funds available to small businesses’ regulatory watchdog, SBA’s Office of Advocacy.

 

II. HEALTH CARE AT ONE-THIRD THE COST FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

 

FEWER SMALL BUSINESSES CAN AFFORD HEALTH CARE. Health care costs are rising about 15 percent this year for those small businesses and often as high as 25 percent. Just 62 percent of businesses employing 10 to 49 people offered a health plan in 2002 whereas about 99 percent of large firms did.
 

A MORE AFFORDABLE HEALTH PLAN. Small businesses typically spend more on administrative costs and they often see premiums rise when one employee has high health care costs. John Kerry will allow small businesses to join the new Congressional Health Plan, small businesses will be able to provide obtain a better deal for health care.
 

TAX CREDITS TO MAKE HEALTH CARE TWO-THIRDS CHEAPER. John Kerry is proposing refundable tax credits for up to 50 percent of the cost of coverage to small businesses and their employees. Also giving small businesses access to the Congressional Health Plan will save small businesses approximately 15 percent in health care costs on top of the tax credit – so health care will be two-thirds cheaper for small business employees than it is today.
 

III. HELPING SMALL BUSINESSES GET THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO SUCCEED

 

o       HELP SMALL BUSINESSES GET FINANCING TO GET OFF THE GROUND.  Investing in small business is good bang for the buck. For example, an additional $170 million investment could help make available $28 billion in long-term capital and equity for small businesses, creating 850,000 jobs annually. John Kerry will ensure that small businesses have all the federal support that they need to grow and thrive.

 

o       MORE FEDERAL CONTRACTS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES. Total Federal contracts have increased 7 percent under President Bush, but the small business share of these contracts has decreased by 14 percent. John Kerry will increase the number of Federal contracts that go to small business by increasing the government-wide goal for small business’s share of Federal contracts to 30 percent.

 

o       ASSURE SMALL START-UPS GET THE TOOLS THEY NEED. Start-ups are typically the engine of technology job creation. Today’s technology giants started as an idea in a graduate student’s head and grew out of garages and basements where these minds developed products. John Kerry will help small high-tech businesses compete internationally and protect their intellectual property from big corporations in foreign markets by creating a self-sustaining grant fund to help these small businesses obtain foreign patents.

 

o       HELP FINANCE PROMISING IDEAS.  To reward the risk inherent in investing in small companies with big ideas, John Kerry will permit short-term tax-deferral for fast-growing companies to enable them to invest those funds in their businesses to help them grow.

 

IV. STRENGTHEN AMERICA’S BASE OF SMALL MANUFACTURERS. During the last three years we have lost 2.7 million (or one in every seven) manufacturing jobs nationwide.  Both large and small companies have been hurt.  To help strengthen America’s small manufacturers John Kerry will:

 

o       RAISING LOAN LIMITS. Increase access to capital for small manufacturers by raising their loan and investment limits within SBA’s successful loan and venture capital programs.

 

o       DOUBLE MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP. Help small manufacturers modernize their operations by restoring and doubling funding for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership.

 

o       AN OFFICE OF MANUFACTURING AT SBA. Focus the SBA on addressing the needs of small manufacturers by creating an Office of Manufacturing charged with coordinating Federal and non-federal assistance to this important segment of the economy.

 

o       TRAINING THE NEXT GENERATION OF MANUFACTURERS. Address the skilled worker shortage and improve long-term competitiveness of the manufacturing sector by developing a three-tier manufacturing skills training program for current workers, college students and high school students.

 

[better2know]

27. thanks for replying blm without the atttacks and with some facts

to me these policies are good,
but we are so deep in the doodoo
that we need a much more intense policy changes
to start turning back the overwhelming corporate powers
that have ruled us since the East india company.

the opinions and somebody's say so of your original posts
IMHO-defeated your apparent goals esp. quoting CATO and the Weekly Standard.

I'd love to see Kerry and the others really take on our corporate masters. The more consensus the better

[blm]

28. Records matter. If people had examined Bush's actual record

as governor in Texas, would he have gotten as many votes as he did?

Your post was antagonistic to the other candidates as if they have never lifted a finger. The fact is that you had no idea that Kerry has worked to stop corporate self-interest and bolster small businesses for many years.

He never accepted corporate pac money in ANY of his Senate races since 1985.

Dean, otoh, has a record of friendly deregulating for corporate interests in his state and has boasted of it. To accept his sudden conversion to regulation without asking what this man's core principles are is absurd. Blind faith has no place in the Democratic party. I'll scrutinize the ACTUAL records, thank you very much.

[chimpymustgo]

31. Very good point, blm. Thanks for providing the records.

All the candidates' records should be scrutinized. We have to look at what they DID, not just what they SAY.

[better2know]

32. ah, screw it

I tried to be nice (sort of)
too tangential to talk to
thanks for the warning eloriel and others
n/t

[blm]

33. Records and truth are of no consequence for you? Good attitude.

Sounds familiar.

[better2know]

34. dude

when I asked you for quotes and actions earlier
you gave me cant, cato, and the weekly standard
twice
kerry, kerry, kerry
dean is this, dean is that
you ignored my second attempt for quotes/specifics with more rhetoric
then a data dump - which was good
then I opined on your data dump
and you answered with talking about bush
and developing a more reasonable tone (compare #28 with #1)
and still talking kerry, kerry, kerry
nothing about incrementalism in the face of corporate serfdom
still slamming Dean without anything but rw quotes and your sayso
it just seems like a big waste of my time

[RetroLounge]

16. Yup, whatever you say.

:boring:

[blm]

22. Nope. Those are Dean's own words pushing deregulation, not mine.

But, you are welcome to blame me instead of Dean, as usual.

Although I am quite certain that I never pushed for deregulating electricity and Dean has....so...blaming me makes perfect sense to you?

[sendero]

29. It's only ....

... all the stuff he's had a chance to do but hasn't done that is the problem. Fooey.

[Eloriel]

2. GREAT article

I'm amazed.

But worried: now he has even more enemies.

Eloriel

[better2know]

7. Hi Eloriel

Thanks for the info on blm-that post did sound panicked.

-Obviously there is no perfect canidate and anyone who makes it this far in the game is compromised to some degree-

I think these quotes show that Dean must have a lot of confidence in the Amercian people.

blm-Let's see some kerry quotes on rolling back big biz instead of invective and ad hominem attacks.

-And, blm, you are using the CATO's to attack Dean? Couldn't this be a strategy by them to smear Dean, and you are (in)advertantly helping their cause?

-And your Weekly Standard article has no direct quotes or specifics just opinions. And even a lot of the opinions you attack, I applaud.

[paulk]

37. better2now - you should look up "ad hominem" in a dictionary

I've never known BLM to make ad hominem attacks. You may not like the posts or the tactics, but it's never personal.

[alexwcovington]

4. woooooot

This man is our next president!

[surfermaw]

12. Go John Edwards...Run Johnnie run....you are going to beNumber 1

Yes you are.

[w4rma]

14. Wow. That's the whole crux of the problem right there. Nice.

Again, Dean is right on target. This man has to be elected president. :hi:

[bigrootcanal]

18. Good for Dean

Once we get rid of big business we can get on with small groups of unions inventing and mass producing the things we need. With smaller and conspiring unions we can control the delivery of needed goods like food to help bring the remaining people against us on board. Brilliant.

[BiggJawn]

23. Repeal the 1996 Cable Act!

Talk about your basic "License to Print Money"...Can somebody name me ONE industry where Deregulation and "relaxed controls" have brought the consumer anything but higher costs, all explained with a shrug and a "That's how it is..."

[bigrootcanal]

24. Yes! Let the government control the airwaves!

That way when the REAL populist movement gets traction they can be shut down but the very laws you proscribe. No thanks...let the people speak!

[cprise]

25. Why argue over this?`

Dean has defected from the DLC.

He is capable of criticising capitalism and describing, in terms both general and specific, what is required to make it work. In that, he's got it all over most other candidates.

[quaker bill]

26. Just one more reason

to keep sending money.

[Ksec]

30. I was a big Clark man but this has made me crossover

Its that big a deal for me. The Corps are quickly ruining this country. The bastages took my job to China. Im behid this 1000%

[belab13]

36. workers are getting screwed? what about the consumer?

there are reasons why the ca. electorate suffered from a temporary lapse of insanity; and one big one is how they were gamed by utilities, and continue to be gamed by energy co.s: specifically the refiners and distributors.