The political knifes are drawn

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by Lamplighter

Fox News
12/09/10

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
House, Senate on Collision Course After Dems Reject Tax Cut Bill


Go Oregon !

And if everyone's taxes go up 1 Jan 11 it will all be in the lap of the Dems. Another nail in the coffin.

[Griff]

David Brooks expresses a middle right view...

The fact is, Obama and the Democrats have had an excellent week. The White House negotiators did an outstanding job for their side. With little leverage, they got not only the unemployment insurance, but also an Earned Income Tax Credit provision, a college scholarship provision and other Democratic goodies. With little leverage, they got a package that could win grudging praise from big-name liberal groups like the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities and the Center for American Progress.

Moreover, Obama has put himself in a position to govern again. The package is popular. According to the most recent Gallup numbers, 67 percent of independents and 52 percent of Democrats support extending all the tax cuts. Higher numbers support extending the unemployment insurance. Obama is reminding independents why they liked him in the first place.

The US is in too fragile a place for partisan politics. Some politicians in both major parties get that. I also read that Obama is going to work on the tax code, which needs major revamping.

[glatt]

Heard Obama on the radio this morning saying he wanted to tackle the US Tax code next year. Of course the devil is in the details, but that's very interesting and encouraging.

[Beest]

Originally Posted by glatt

Heard Obama on the radio this morning saying he wanted to tackle the US Tax code next year. Of course the devil is in the details, but that's very interesting and encouraging.

I heard this too, seems like a way to get the dems who want to extend unemployment but not tax cuts for the wealthy "hey, just vote it through and we'll fix it all properly next year"

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by glatt

Heard Obama on the radio this morning saying he wanted to tackle the US Tax code next year. Of course the devil is in the details, but that's very interesting and encouraging.

From what I understand he wants to use the Deficit Reduction Committee recommendations as a starting place. Not a bad idea.

[skysidhe]

Originally Posted by Lamplighter

Fox News
12/09/10

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
House, Senate on Collision Course After Dems Reject Tax Cut Bill


Go Oregon !

Originally Posted by TheMercenary

And if everyone's taxes go up 1 Jan 11 it will all be in the lap of the Dems. Another nail in the coffin.

Do we not have a president? Why doesn't the democratic party stand with their president?

That means EVERYONE'S taxes go up in January. So much for cutting off one's nose.

More taxes means less jobs and the middle class will be spending less. whoopee! Why are we rejoicing?

[Lamplighter]

Sky, I think House Democrats (and others) are "not supporting the President"
because they have been jolted by Obama's tax cut deal for several reasons:

First he did not really consult with them, and actually negotiated the deal without them

Second, he gave up his own big tax issue... eliminate taxes on middle income families and businesses,
and return to all of the "pre-Bush tax rates" on the wealthy

Third, out of the blue he gave away generous taxes breaks on wealthy estates

Fourth, he abandoned working-poor families by eliminating the "Making Work Pay" tax credit.

And we still don't know what's going to happen with government subsidies of
alternative fuels (alcohol, wind, solar, etc)

I think there is also anger directed at the hypocrisy of the Republicans
for their complaining about the federal budget deficit and then
putting the tax cuts for the wealthy ahead of all other legislation.

Simply put... it's about a loss of fair play and good-faith negotiation.

The only way House Dem's can now show their objections is to do the same as the Repubs did... threaten filibuster

Here is the PBS TV news report

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by Lamplighter

Sky, I think House Democrats (and others) are "not supporting the President"
because they have been jolted by Obama's tax cut deal for several reasons:

First he did not really consult with them, and actually negotiated the deal without them

Second, he gave up his own big tax issue... eliminate taxes on middle income families and businesses,
and return to all of the "pre-Bush tax rates" on the wealthy

Third, out of the blue he gave away generous taxes breaks on wealthy estates

Fourth, he abandoned working-poor families by eliminating the "Making Work Pay" tax credit.

And we still don't know what's going to happen with government subsidies of
alternative fuels (alcohol, wind, solar, etc)

I think there is also anger directed at the hypocrisy of the Republicans
for their complaining about the federal budget deficit and then
putting the tax cuts for the wealthy ahead of all other legislation.

Simply put... it's about a loss of fair play and good-faith negotiation.

The only way House Dem's can now show their objections is to do the same as the Repubs did... threaten filibuster.

And he did a great job of it. Well done Obama.

[Spexxvet]

Originally Posted by skysidhe

More taxes means less jobs and the middle class will be spending less.

Do you have any evidence of this? As I recall, taxes were higher, unemployment was lower, and the deficit was being reduced during the Clinton years.