Susan Ferrechio, Washington Examiner:
The Obama administration is sending in high-ranking mediators in hopes of ending its stalemate with congressional Republicans over extending the Bush-era tax cuts.
Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner and Office of Management and Budget Director Jack Lew will meet with four lawmakers — two each from the House and Senate, Republicans and Democrats — with the aim of striking a deal on how to extend tax cuts that are set to expire for all income levels on Dec. 31.
The negotiations were proposed in a morning meeting between President Obama and Republican and Democratic lawmakers to discuss the agenda of the lame-duck session.
“The president did suggest that to unlock the tax disagreement that we have the secretary of the Treasury and the director of the Office of Management and Budget sit down with four of our members, from each caucus, on the Hill, to begin discussions,” House Speaker-elect John Boehner, R-Ohio, said after the meeting.
The disagreement between the two parties over who should continue to get a tax cut has turned into a high-stakes game of chicken, with neither side willing to budge. Most Democrats want the current tax cuts extended to individuals earning less than $200,000 or couples making less than $250,000. Republicans are insisting the cuts be extended to everyone, saying it would help revive the fragile economy.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said that if the new round of negotiations fails to produce an agreement, he will introduce a bill that would extend tax cuts only to the lower-income taxpayers.
“The number one goal that I have, I think everyone in our caucus has, and I know the president has is to protect the middle class,” Reid said.
Several things: first, a family making $250K a year is not rich. Bill Gates is rich. Senate Democrats are rich. Warren Buffet is rich. A family making $250K a year? Not so much. Second, these are not “tax cuts” we’re talking about. Obama and his pals want to RAISE TAXES on a percentage of US citizens, many of them small business owners. That want to RAISE TAXES during a recession, when the unemployment rate is closing in on 10% — and the effective rate closing in on 18%. They are committed to the kind of class warfare that Americans overwhelmingly reject.
Call them on it.
There should be no compromise. And certainly no quid pro quo. If the Democrats want to raise taxes and kill more jobs, let them own it. What you CAN’T let them do is redefine down the “middle class” each time they want to raise new “revenue” [CODE WORD ALERT!] for themselves, so that they can redistribute that revenue to their clients and preferred partners.
We’re coming off an historic election. The message was clear. The DREAM Act must be killed. Cap and Trade must be killed. ObamaCare must be killed. And there should be no tax hikes on that portion of the population that creates jobs.
So far, we’ve watched as you failed to get an earmark ban; and you’ve helped the Democrats expand the power of the FDA and the bureaucratic state [and even if fails, it’s the thought that counts] — with no proximate need.
This is your last chance. Set the tone now, or you’re going to have us looking elsewhere but quick. Hearing about your “good meetings” with a “Good Man” is, well, unhelpful.
You represent an angry group of Americans. Act like it.
You fail to recognize that it is the government’s money until they agree that you can have some, and how much, but then only until you die – at which time the question will be revisited.
so bumblefuck sends Timmy the tax cheat to negotiate?
Seriously?
A few things…
First, the Republicans are not in power. They’re in a Lame Duck session of a Democrat controlled House, Senate and White House. Effectively, they’re still in a weak negotiating stance. Notice that Harry Reid has effectively said, “Agree to it or we’ll pass it anyway.” Not exactly the “spirit of bipartisanship”. Our elected doofus, Michael Bennett, was caught saying the process was “rigged”. Now we’re seeing the rigging.
Second, we’re seeing the Liberal bias of the Press Corps in all its glory. Democrats want to raise taxes in a recession, but in the Press’ Eyes, they’re only “letting cuts expire”. I don’t think there was much “letting cuts expire” talk when George H.W. Bush agreed to tax increases.
Third, there needs to be exposure of who’s really getting taxed here. Unions? They’re going to get a pass. They’ve got their bailout cash, and now they don’t have to pay taxes on it. Small businesses? Between Obamacare and the “expired tax cut”, they’re getting double-teamed.
Democrats are determined to do as much damage to the economy as possible. The question is, should we let them then point out the blame, or fight hard now and risk being labeled as a “combative” GOP? All eyes are on 2012. We can take the White House, but more importantly, we need to retake the Senate and solidify gains in the House. With an openly Hostile Meida, it’s hard to get messaging out.
They should extend all tax cuts, but create a suggested contribution page where all the rich liberals who think taxes should be raised can give at a higher rate in exchange for a commemorative Obama plate set from The Franklin Mint with a certificate of authenticity signed by Chocolate Jesus himself. Everybody wins!
Why do I believe they’ll just bring a squirt gun to this knife fight? History…
And why do the Repubs always give ground on this false argument of “taxing the rich?”
I disagree, Soiled Sockpuppet. I think the GOP holds all the cards here. Unless the Dems want to see a new slaughter in 2012.
The GOP needs to be screaming that the American people have spoken, and that continuing forward with a rejected agenda is to act against the express will of the American people. They should follow up on that by suggesting that there will be consequences for trying to act as tyrants rather than representatives.
That could certainly scare those up for reelection…
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said that if the new round of negotiations fails to produce an agreement, he will introduce a bill that would extend tax cuts only to the lower-income taxpayers.
Harry must be really really counting on National Soros Radio and the Associated Press pushing the “economic sabotage” meme.
From what I’m seeing, the DNC and their elected goombahs are oblivious to this sea-change in the political climate. With the reelection of Pelosi as Minority Leader and the choice of Charles Schumer as Senate Majority Leader, I’m getting a distinct impression that Democrats are unwilling to move towards the center at all from the current Left-wing platform.
Of course, this is making things difficult for Obama. Poor, poor Obama. He can’t say “I Won” any more.
Anyone else read bout the left’s latest “the Republicans want to trash the country!” screeds?
Powerline had a decent, if not as harsh as I’d like, piece about it this morning.
That’s the line of the year.
Why exactly are they negotiating? Is there a middle ground to be found between keep taxes exactly where they are and soak everyone that makes over $250K?
I know some were floating the idea of raising the taxes only for those making over $1 million.
…and soak everyone that makes over $250K?
That’s the real argument here, JD. Dems: And if we can’t soak everyone over 250k? Well…then the hell with the rest of you spoiled teabagging rascists as well. We’ll just take our tax cuts and (literally for many) go home.
I know some were floating the idea of raising the taxes only for those making over $1 million.
I think that was the senior Senator from New York, Carin. Some say he doesn’t need to open doors; he can just ooze underneath them.
I’d rather see everybody’s taxes go up than for our cowardly little president man to pick and choose who he wants to rape.
I’m not sure. could have sworn I’ve heard that from others. Not sure.
My bet? That they temporarily keep the cuts for everyone.
Don’t you think the deal is already done and now we get a little play-acting so that “our representatives” can look busy?
Most small businesses are taxed like individuals, and would be directly affected by this tax increase. People will lose jobs, and for almost nothing. The amount of projected revenue (which, by the way, is always lower than the actual revenue) would not amount to much, something like $50 billion per year. Soaking the middle class is the only way to really raise some short-term cash. And if they really want to raise some money, how about getting to the 50% of the people who don’t pay any Federal income tax? There’s plenty of money there to be
stolentaxed.The result will be a three-year (because that will make it fall comfortably after the next election) extension of the cuts for everyone. If they weren’t so frelling dishonest they would just pass that now, as well as the continuing resolution so the government can keep wasting our money. Then they could all go home for the holidays.
And if they really want to raise some money, how about getting to the 50% of the people who don’t pay any Federal income tax? There’s plenty of money there to be stolen taxed.
Yeah, but they don’t want those people to have the opportunity to see what’s being taken out. Can’t have that massive theft show up in black and white on all those paystubs.
No, that’s what the VAT is about.
they could go home and make strawberry rice krispie treats with Kraft Jet-Puffed Strawberry Marshmallows but be careful you could get sick from the marshmallows cause that FDA bill isn’t in effect yet
– Actually the Chocolate Jesus is remaining above the frey, delegating this hot potato to his “panel”. There’s no up side in any of this for him, and, well, teeoff time is at 8 am sharp.
He’s lucky. For me, tee’d off time starts when the morning alarm goes off, and continues until the evening beer is opened.
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