The Democrats and Republicans have united in their attacks on the workingclass on many issues, including Pres. Bush's tax cut plan and on the bankruptcy bill.

On March 8, 2001, the House of Representatives passed George Bush,II's tax cut plan with 219 Republican votes, 10 Democratic votes and 1 Independent. This tax cut plan benefits the richest 1% of the population at the expense of the rest of us. The 10 Democrats are Representatives Sanford Bishop of Georgia, Robert Clement of Tennessee, Bud Cramer of Alabama, Gary Condit of California, Bart Gordon of Tennessee, Ralph Hall of Texas, Ken Lucas of Kentucky, Collin Peterson of Minnesota, Mike McIntyre of North Carolina, and James Traficant of Ohio.

It is now being considered and amended by the Senate. One of the features of this tax cut plan is the repeal of the estate tax, an effort long championed by California Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein. On April 6, 2001, the Senate voted on a budget outline, 65 to 35, which contains almost everything Bush wanted. Senator Feinstein was one of the 15 Democrats who support the budget outline.

In the House, the estate tax repeal passed on April 4, 2001, 274 to 154, with 58 Democrats supporting it, including Rep. Ellen Tauscher of Walnut Creek, Mike Thompson of St. Helena, Mike Honda of San Jose and Sam Farr of Carmel. Other California Democrats supporting this reactionary repeal are Joe Baca, Lois Capps, Gary Condit, Susan Davis, Calvin Dooley, Jane Harman, Loretta Sanchez, and Adam Schiff.

The estate tax is a very progressive tax that redistributes the wealth from the rich to the workingclass who created that wealth. Over one-half of all estate taxes are paid by the richest people, 1 of every 1,000 estates. Most couples with less than .35 million do not pay any estate tax. About 98% of all deaths result in no estate taxes. A good analysis of the estate tax repeal can be found at the website of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities at http://www.cbpp.org/2-26-01tax2-pr.htm

On March 15, 2001, the Senate voted 83 to 15, including 36 Democrats among the 83, to give the credit card industry a gift with a change in the bankruptcy laws that will make it more difficult for members of the workingclass to declare bankruptcy. Bankruptcy has become a safety net for the workingclass. About half of personal bankruptcies in 1999 were due to medical expenses. If we had a national health care system paid for by the progressive income tax, guaranteeing health care to everyone, as exists in the rest of the industrialized world, we would not have such a severe bankruptcy problem. In 1998, the median income for those who filed for personal bankruptcy was ,000 a year.

The 36 Democratic Senators are Senator Daniel Akaka of Hawaii, Max Baucus of Montana, Evan Bayh of Indiana, Joseph Biden of Delaware, Jeff Bingaman of New Mexico, John Breaux of Louisiana, Robert Byrd of West Virginia, Maria Cantwell of Washington, Jean Carnahan of Missouri, Thomas Carper of Delaware, Max Cleland of Georgia, Hillary Clinton of New York, Kent Conrad of North Dakota, Thomas Daschle of South Dakota, Byron Dorgan of North Dakota, John Edwards of North Carolina, Dianne Feinstein of California, Bob Graham of Florida, Ernest Hollings of South Carolina, Daniel Inouye of Hawaii, Tim Johnson of South Dakota, Herbert Kohl of Wisconsin, Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, Patrick Leahy of Vermont, Carl Levin of Michigan, Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut, Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas, Barbara Mikluski of Maryland, Zell Miller of Georgia, Patty Murray of Washington, Ben Nelson of Nebraska, Harry Reid of Nevada, Charles Schumer of New York, Debbie Stabenow of Michigan, Robert Torricelli of New Jersey and Ron Wyden of Oregon. California Democratic Senator Barbara Boxer abstained from voting on this issue this time.

For an excellent analysis of the Bush tax cut for the rich and other economic matters, see the constantly updated reports of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities at:

http://www.cbpp.org

It should be clear from these Democrat-Republican attacks on the workingclass that neither party has any interest in representing the workingclass. If you have had enough of this insult, consider joining a workingclass socialist party today, Peace & Freedom Party on the California ballot. Just check "Other" on your voter registration card and write in Peace & Freedom Party. For more information, see http://www.peaceandfreedom.org.