The following letter was written by the Martha’s Vineyard Democrats to Sen. John Kerry and the Congressional Super Committee:

Our goal in writing this letter is to impart our belief in the import of the preservation of a robust middle class for this country.

We offer suggestions on expense reduction and revenue enhancement in four areas of concern to address the financial deficit in our country.

In the economy, we urge no reduction of unemployment benefits, foreign aid and infrastructure funding, including mass transit. We suggest cuts in out-sourcing of American jobs, most corporate subsidies and loopholes given to big business. We urge an increase in taxes of the top one per cent income earners and all corporations and further increase of taxes on those corporations that outsource American jobs.

In achieving a robust middle class we urge no cuts to Medicare and Medicaid, Social Security, which is self-funded, and the mortgage interest deduction. Do not cut farm subsidies to professional family farms. Do not cut public education, including Head Start. Reduce corporate subsidies, unless they produce American jobs.

On the environment, we urge no cuts to the EPA and to maintain funding for all green energy and green technology efforts. We encourage cuts of subsidies to big oil, big coal and nuclear power. Aggressive pursuit of environmental violators should result in painful fines to those who desecrate the environment.

With the military, do not cut veterans’ benefits. However, a cut to the top one per cent of military salaries is in order. Reduce/end the war. Cut deficit spending 25 per cent across the board. One job producer is to end outsourcing to foreign and private companies.

We trust you take these suggestions seriously. There is an urgent need to address the financial imbalance in the country as we rebound from the recession. We appreciate your grasp of the important role played by the middle class in this country.

Binnie Ravitch
Vineyard Haven

Thomas Dresser
Oak Bluffs