Title: Democratic Senate debate: Second stimulus package

" Massachusetts the stimulus bill has provided funding of for over a hundred school districts in Massachusetts Steve. And for those districts and there have been jobs where firefighters and police officers have been states of the stimulus package. Question is multifaceted do you support another round of stimulus package and if so how do you support it. Idea supported with new taxes or more debt. The debt as of last year was eleven point nine trillion dollars. So are you for the stimulus a -- for funding it through a tax increase or just digging a dig deeper depth hole. Or a combination. First of all."

" I can answer that question we really have to see with the economy is going we needed of the stimulus. If we ascertain that we did. And I think we might I think we have a chance we're going to the double dip recession. The markets are out ahead of what's really happening economy and traveling the state I -- executives are you hiring. Are you not hiring most executives are not hiring many are still cutting. So if we need another stimulus. First like make sure it was targeted to these key strategic industries that Massachusetts dominates and high tech Biotech. Life sciences they create the jobs and they create jobs in manufacturing as well to manufacture those products. In terms of how I pay -- that stimulus unfortunately under President Bush the middle class got squeezed. The rich got richer I certainly was a beneficiary unfortunately of those tax policies. But as Willy Sutton says you know you have to go where the money -- that's why you rob banks the money is with the wealthiest Americans they've done very well and the Bush Administration. We have to get that money. In in tax increases we shouldn't go crazy is it will kill the economy but you have to look at increasing the market rate it's at 35% for the wealthiest individuals. Many countries are 4038. We can handle that -- look at slight increases the capital gains tax we've had the lowest capital gains tax here in the last thirty years. So I I would not take on more debt the debt and crushes and crush our children. So I look at tax increases to fund that to get jobs back to Massachusetts."

" Or that we have a stimulus package voting for a second round. Debt taxes will you go orbit so well I think Stephen season as a Canadian we should go to the banks and rob them for that right. The I I think first you need to determine whether the first stimulus was effective or not and as we -- in Massachusetts and I've been involved with. Making sure the money goes where it should and a stop fraud task force. We want -- C did it save jobs is it producing jobs and I think before we were before I would be willing to support another stimulus I would wanna know. We hear it's going to be focused and is it going to provide for what is supposed to do. I think the jury's still out on some of this is working well in Massachusetts but we have some longer term projects here and so we've seen this stimulus -- is an investment and so the second part of your question. Peter would be this. That if we think that the first stimulus was effective and indeed she did keep jobs hopefully you exceeded tax revenues would go up so presumably you have some more. Wiggle room there and if we thought it was gonna be effective. I think rather than seeing it is adding to the deficit we would see it as an investment. We wouldn't see it as something that would get this economy turned around get us back on track. With the appropriate regulation going forward so we don't get into this kind of mess again is we don't -- holding predatory lenders. Responsible for what they've done. And I think that we need to do whatever it takes. To get that done -- of the stimulus -- the way to do it I think we do it and see it as an investment."

" to the question of our national debt at eleven point nine trillion do you vote for another stimulus package taxes or debt."

" Peter we absolutely need another stimulus. People are hurting my dad's a doctor. President Obama came into office that the patient was literally in the operating room -- But first stimulus did was take a patient and stabilize the patient but it's still NI CU. We've had 21 months of straight job -- country unemployment in Massachusetts is at the highest -- been it's been in 26 years and and also national. But here's what I do. I wouldn't make it a bunch of big government spending I would support small business I have a new jobs tax credit I do the other things I talked about in terms of accelerating depreciation. But he writes I'd also fully fund. The Edward M Kennedy serve America act which could put 250000. People doing good service jobs tomorrow they -- sort. What we need to do in terms of the national debt that is a huge problem. But we we did this is an if you get people back to work. They won't pay taxes they will start spending again its Consumer Spending that would get us out of this recession but people are afraid to spend because they're afraid they're gonna lose their jobs. Once worked out of the recession. That we have to go back and tackle the -- it's serious the other thing I would do is ban all earmarks. In any stimulus package problem with the first stimulus was there was 8000 earmarks because the special interest in the lobbyist rom com. -- and not -- it -- in my that we don't need to waste once worked out of the recession. That we have to go back in -- for the debt here's what I do. I'd go I'd repeal all the bush tax cuts I keep detect the state tax in place which is one point three trillion dollars. And I would go back to the Clinton tax rates the economy boomed under President Clinton and we had higher tax rates for people who could afford it. And we can I deal with the deficit after -- out of this terrible economy."

" Deficit stimulus package taxes debt what do you do Peter this is with a horse trading comes and I want to thank my colleagues are recognizing that they should come to me. When they wanna learn how Washington works I'm happy to train them. I will tell you unequivocally that's exactly what was trading is all about. If you need me emperor I would raise taxes on the wealthiest people in America to be it was -- not very stimulus but the job creation stimulus that's one aspect of the stimulus. By the way when you give tax cuts now when you do when you change the tax code at all. When you raise my -- is part of the deficit deficit is also not just spending it's also cutting taxes -- not replacing. So people haven't seen exactly what we're talking about. I think that the last stimulus was okay I voted for I'm glad I voted for -- I agree I don't think it was big enough. I don't think it was -- it enough to creating more jobs it's also not gotten accredited -- The saving jobs right here in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Two billion dollars have gone back to cities and towns across this state to save teachers firefighters cops TPW workers and other essential workers. I also believe very firmly that punish bush training can also be that. It costs the Commonwealth of Massachusetts five. Hundred million dollars in horse trading in the Senate. Because three so called moderate Republicans cut 25 billion dollars of the stimulus. It came out of the house otherwise the commonwealth would not to be going through it's going through right now. So yes what's training is a pot of life -- a horse trading means you get jobs the constituents. Help me."

" Let me ask you Steve. The stimulus package money for look at. Going to get it would you want it not targeted towards the cities and towns those police officers firefighters and teachers but to the growth and bring jobs to talk about or room. I think it has to be a blend. You know our firefighters and and and policemen. Do the toughest jobs out there in the in the entire commonwealth they've put themselves at risk every day. We need them so I think that's the blunt. I don't -- we have a -- we may lose some teachers firefighters and policemen more on the payroll right now. Are you willing to do that could put the stimulus package in the sort of broad areas of god and everybody again I think you have to do both I think you have to do both I think maybe step back. Where Obama okay let let me get a sense of it really go to mark the run that -- you try to do both color and fun."

" I think the first priority here in Massachusetts is to make sure that our schools. And our police and our fire have. The funds they need to continue operating they've been cut badly as it is. On to maintain those basic services that I think this is what government is about making sure we educator kids -- cities safe. We are prepared for fires. I that would be my."

" I joining -- as -- so let me let me go to element of that blend. We actually can do -- this is America of course we can devote. We have to keep our firefighters and police officer teachers in their jobs and we also have to stimulate new jobs. When people have jobs they pay taxes that will bring down the deficit to get confidence is consumers to spend money again. This is a critical crisis we need a much greater sense of urgency in Washington but it's stuck in congress."

" Was an -- I gotta get the point might blend what do you do stimulus deal doable the first stimulus did invest in cities and towns in the state also helped create new jobs. People need to remember they saved job is just as important as -- created job particularly in a down economy so I think we did do both in the stimulus I think we should -- doable. If we do again."

" Let me begin of our 62 answers and begin with Mike the speaking of horse trading. Health care. It seems that the majority leader majority leader Reid is coming up with a plan on big government auction all of you our favorite the government option. Some are calling this planned government auction light. Would you hold out for government auction war. The giving opt out as it's being described -- each state could opt out if it chose to do it is that really having a government plan."

" Well I haven't seen senator Reid's plan it's not in writing it to me not -- of its new stories about -- it's -- specifically about a plane it's not a right. I can tell you unequivocally without a robust public option one it is required one it is available to all Americans to make. Their own choice without that. It doesn't want. Because the whole concept is meant so do you vote for of the opt out or not it again probably not gonna have to see the entire package if that's the only thing that's different. I don't like the concept of an -- opening -- the question Joyce you -- package because there's many other things are involved in this bill. State."

" I think it's pretty -- important that we cover all Americans. The public option which as Mike says he's right it's undefined even the previous versions have been undefined -- called the bill writers himself in Washington. That's Seles is of the stores in the paper this afternoon -- our. Then. Reid has a deal and the deal is that states could opt out if they elect to do you -- part on not. Let me answer the question. The public option is not defined. So the first thing is we've got to define what the public option is it has to be robust option as Mike says -- not a robust option that I wouldn't vote for its robust. I would vote port. In terms of of the horse trading. I probably think it's critically important that we get people covered and we get a plan we've waited forty years for a plan so I would vote for if there was a robust public corruption. Wherever."

" I believe that unless we had a strong public option we're not gonna see real reform transparency competition. But I do think that senator Reid's approach. Mom would let us look at whether it would provide carrots and sticks for instance and it states that opt out only if they were able to provide. As a public option on their own terms that might be agreeable under those circumstances. I think we're desperate to make progress on this. I think we won't see you real progress to a strong public option I too would wanna look at it but I think at this stage we need movement and we need to make some reforms. And I'd like to see what his proposal actually is than it I think it's stronger than the on the trigger proposal that we are looking up before. --"

" It lets just be honest about this the public -- the robust public option without an opt out was killed in the finance committee. By the lobbyists and the special interest in the pacts. I will vote for universal healthcare we have to get it done was put on the table by Frances Perkins is labor secretary in the by Harry Truman 62 years ago as president. We gotta seize this moment. But there are six health care lobbyists for every member of congress. The health insurance companies are spending 384. Million dollars to get the health care they want. Not the health care the American people are demanding. The country in this state support the public option. But you know here's what we are. Senator we put the steel up because it got killed look at the finance committee look at who got the money look at what's going to follow the money in congress and in Watergate. That's where attack killed Imus under the doctrine and my mother's -- I grew up and household word I was taught universal health care. Should be a right in the greatest country in the world not a privilege. And it's a moral issue an economic issue I will fight tooth and nail if we don't get it done now and look I'm gonna vote for universal health care senator Reid knows what he's doing it's the best they can get. I will fight for it and help push and push and push until we get the robust public option on on this round. Then eventually because I won't be catering to lobbyist I'll be working citizens."

" Let me ask each month -- a question here. About this whole business of of what you do when don't you is it important to pounds. -- Republican voters are neighbor Olympia Snowe voted for but the plan. It did is it sixty votes of Democrats enough. -- do we need to have a bipartisan plan in order for the country to accept that or is that Democrats can get sixty votes go far. Let me go to --"

" And sixty votes is enough I think that if we. I can get that we go forward bipartisanship is nice. The president has certainly said he wants to do that and that's a good goal but IE. Need think that we need good progress on this we need to see your result. And so. If we can pass a public option because that's important I think it's important for people understand that without that you have only reformer on the news you don't have any transparency. Or competition. And we will not reform and insure 47 million people we also. Will see -- collapse I think in the healthcare system as we know in Massachusetts -- eight to 10% every year."

" that we need to Republicans and look we need health care we get sixty votes we should passes and we should pass it today we should have a robust public option the Democrats have the majority. I think we need to do stuff in a bipartisan way I've worked for people on both sides here's something that I -- offered the Republicans -- of the doctor. I think in addition everything else we do need comprehensive medical malpractice reform. The Congressional Budget Office came up with a plan that's that we save forty billion dollars over ten years. Victims need to be compensated but we can have a system apology and transparency we can have a system we -- com."

" It's these little you might get others and -- time -- well Republican votes but the bottom line is we should pass the Taliban and al-Qaeda might. To any landmarks to get a total. It is very simple. We have a vote in the house and single -- I'm gonna vote for it I hope my colleague Tim stage it'll support that vote. That'll give you universal health yet that'll cover everybody. In the Senate I don't think we're gonna get it but I do think some which should be fighting that proposal. I want to be clear. Not only do we not need sixty votes in the Senate we need 51 if we have enough people enough courage to do reconciliation is senate I know that my colleagues at a certain time. In congress and I and maybe they don't understand the rules but in the Senate when you have the votes you -- what they didn't wait put on the WPA. In the -- my Social Security didn't wait for the Medicare. We should not wait for this to make sure that everybody's happy. Because will never make everybody happy we need to get help get -- everybody can keep it as affordable is we can't as soon as we can't. The minute we have the votes we should go. Do we go for bipartisanship but it would go for the sixty."

" We go for the sixty and I go for reconciliation and actually read about it and it's 51 that is sixty it's pretty simple. So I go for that the reconciliation Mike. I know it's rocket science then they're gets stuff done but that. I go for the Tyco -- for the fifty I go I'd go for the 51. We've got to get this done as -- we've got to get health care to all of our individual's country its its -- of its -- we gotta get it done. And gonna talk about public option the public option is not a panacea. Even if it's robust it's one small piece of what we need to do the health care system."