IRS Problem Solver to take campaign against taxes to Washington
CPA Phil Liberatore Challenging Incumbent Gary Miller in California’s 42nd District
As founder of IRS Problem Solvers, Inc., Phil Liberatore has helped thousands of Americans battle the most loathed — and feared — branch of government: The Internal Revenue Service. Now, Liberatore, a CPA and fervent critic of a fiscal policy that he believes is taking the United States down a road toward economic ruin, has decided to do something about it: he’s challenging veteran GOP congressman Gary Miller in California’s 42nd District in what is shaping up to be a lively primary battle.
“Gary Miller went to Washington as a Conservative, but has lost touch with the values of his constituents, voting with the Democrats over 400 time since he was elected to congress,” says Liberatore. “When he voted to waste billions of dollars on the misguided and outrageous TARP Bailout Bills, that was the last straw for me. That was when I decided to challenge him. I’m ashamed to live in a district represented by a Republican who votes far too often with Barney Frank. As more of his constituents see his record, I believe they will vote in June to send me to Washington to restore fiscal sanity to our country.”
The 42nd district, which stretches from Whittier in Los Angeles County to Mission Viejo in Orange County and includes parts of San Bernardino County, is one of the most conservative districts in California with a track record of electing conservative candidates. But Miller is widely believed to be vulnerable not only for his voting record, but also for an ongoing FBI investigation into various real estate transactions. Asked why he would challenge a fellow Republican, Liberatore responded:
“This is not about parties. I’m running for the Republican nomination, but I am first and foremost a patriot and a man who loves his country and I will speak out against corruption whether it comes from the Democratic Party or my own party. In November, dozens of members of congress who voted to increase the tax burden on the American people are going to be swept out of office. I plan to speed up that process by sending one of them home early on June 8th.”
A married father of two grown children and an ordained minister, Liberatore’s strong stand on taxes comes from a lifetime of work with those who are crushed by the heavy hand of Washington:
“On a daily basis I see people in my office who suffer from the effects of the burden Washington imposes on the lives of average Americans,” he says. “I’m going to Washington with two goals in mind: to lift the crushing burden of taxes on citizens of my district and to restore fiscal sanity to our nation. I believe America’s best days are ahead of us-but only if we meet the challenge we face from an out of control administration and its willing accomplices in my own party.”
For Latino community, health reform can’t wait
Following President Obama’s call on Congress to pass health insurance reform, Governor Kaine outlines importance of reform for the Latino community, asking Hispanics to take part in the final march to health reform
Following President Obama’s call on Congress last week to act now to pass health insurance reform, DNC Chairman Tim Kaine issued this Spanish-language video calling on Latinos to take part in the final push for health reform – reform that would benefit the Latino community.
For Hispanics, health reform can’t wait. One out of every three Hispanics under 65 lacks health insurance, 80 percent of Latinos stand to benefit from reform, and all Americans will benefit once insurance companies are held accountable: no more skyrocketing prices that the middle class can’t afford, no more denied coverage for preexisting conditions, and families will be able to keep their children on their policies until the age of 26.
But with Republicans siding with the insurance companies and the status quo, the stakes are too high for Latinos. President Obama has taken the fight for reform further than any other president in history, and we will not give up the fight for reform that will be so helpful for Latino families, who are disproportionately affected by our broken health care system.
Watch Governor Kaine’s message here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5iSzcPi0eU
Transcript:
Hello, everybody. Last week the President laid out the way forward on health insurance reform and called on Congress to act quickly to pass historic and long overdue reforms to our country’s health insurance system.
Almost a year has passed since we began this process. Another year that families suffered under back-breaking health insurance costs, another year in which insurance companies made decisions based on their bottom lines rather than your health and another year in which millions of have gone with no insurance at all.
For our Latino community, reform is especially urgent. One in every three Latinos does not have health insurance. And 80 percent will see immediate benefits from reform.
This is why last week the President made clear what many of you know all too well: we cannot delay any longer. The final march for reform has begun.
And the President’s proposal charts the path to real reform.
First, the President’s plan would hold insurance companies accountable and institute new protections to prevent insurance companies from denying you coverage, arbitrarily raising your premiums or charging you exorbitant fees. The President’s reforms will put an end to the worst practices of the insurance industry.
Second, it will offer small businesses and those who cannot get insurance coverage through your employers the same access to quality health care that Members of Congress receive. And for those who still can’t afford insurance, the plan will offer tax credits to help you pay for coverage.
Third, this plan will reduce the cost of health care for millions and extend the life of Medicare by rooting out waste and abuse in the system. Medicare patients will get better care, with fewer errors and American families, business and state governments will spend fewer dollars on health care.
But, despite the fact that reform is so obvious to us, powerful interests are arrayed against it – from insurance company lobbyists to Republicans in Congress. And though the President’s plan draws from the best ideas of both parties, Republicans continue to say no. Why? Because Republicans simply don’t want to hold health insurance companies accountable and force them to end their most abusive practices.
Like denying people coverage due to a pre-existing condition and jacking up premiums for 20, 30 and 40 percent on families and small businesses. We see it differently. We believe insurance companies should be held accountable and that doctors and their patients should be in charge of medical decisions – not the bean counters at the insurance companies.
Just like you, I’ve heard countless stories – many of them heart-breaking – about the need for health insurance reform. That’s why I am calling on all of you to once more pick up the phone, knock on your neighbor’s door, and demand the changes to our health insurance system that you deserve. With your help, we can ensure that quality, affordable health care is available now and for generations to come.
Thank you.
Ricardo A. Ramirez
Regional Press Secretary
Press Secretary for Hispanic Media
Democratic National Committee
202-863-8148
ramirezr@dnc.org