Democrats abandoned plans to vote before Election Day on extending Bush-era tax cuts for the middle class while eliminating them for better-off Americans, spooked by protests from vulnerable incumbents and bleak prospects for passage.
With time running out to plan for 2011, the delay raises uncertainty for small businesses and individual taxpayers over their future liabilities. It also sets up a titanic battle over taxes after the election.
If returning lawmakers don’t pass legislation by Dec. 31, the expiration date of the cuts, tax rates would rise not only on income, but also on estates, capital gains and dividends. Important corporate tax credits and relief from the Alternative Minimum Tax also are up for renewal.
Democratic leaders and President Barack Obama made the proposal to extend the middle-class tax breaks a centerpiece of their midterm campaign strategy. They now face the possibility their members are vulnerable to Republican charges that they have failed to prevent taxes from rising for almost everyone.
Congressmen from both parties said the toxic politics of taxes and the crush of issues to be resolved increased the likelihood all the Bush-era breaks, including those for higher earners, would be extended at least for a year or two. But Mr. Obama could still veto such a bill.
For now, taxpayers confront a number of worrisome scenarios, including the possibility Congress might deadlock on the issue in the post-election “lame duck” session, resulting in across-the-board tax increases.
[…]
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada sought to blame Republicans in a statement Thursday evening that conceded there would be no vote before November. “Democrats believe we must permanently extend tax cuts for the middle class before they expire at the end of the year, and we will,” said Jim Manley, a spokesman for Mr. Reid. “Unfortunately, to this point, we have received no cooperation from Republicans to do so.…We will come back in November and stay in session as long as it takes to get this done.”
Republicans said Democrats hadn’t yet written a tax bill on which lawmakers could vote, because of disagreement among Democratic members.
“This delay is irresponsible and reckless. It’s no wonder the American people are fed up with the leadership of Congress. Every family in America faces a major tax increase next year because the Senate majority leader has failed to take action to prevent it,” said GOP Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa.
[…]
Democratic leaders, led by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California and Mr. Reid, settled on the strategy of voting on the permanent extension as a way of casting Democrats as the party of the middle class, in contrast with Republicans’ support for higher earners.
The plan quickly ran into opposition from centrist Democrats in the House and Senate, who worried that passing Mr. Obama’s proposal would leave them vulnerable to the charge of raising taxes on high-income taxpayers in a weak economy.
Do the Democrats really believe the American people are so stupid that they’ll view the extension of a Bush’s tax cuts for some as a “tax cut for the middle class”? Do they really believe that allowing those Bush tax cuts to expire on “the rich” — defined in such a way that “the rich” are families with two incomes, or small business owners, et al. — comes across as anything other than a plan to raise taxes, weaken the private sector, stunt job growth, grow a dependence economy, and continue their “leadership” strategy of encouraging class warfare?
Because if so, they haven’t been listening.
<….We will come back in November…."
– Who’s this “we” Harry…….
Headline should read: Democrats refuse to vote on Tax cuts, instead will go home and campaign for November.
I remember how much shit the dirty socialist NPR propaganda whores were giving Bush come his midterms for not having vetoed any bills.
Carin nails it! New issue for November. Democrats threaten the recovery (such as it is) by failing to extend tax cuts.
– Well they found the only money left in Washington, the PAC money GMAC is pumping into the Dems campaign, and they have to hurry up and spend that too…..
feets, I believe Nationalist Progg Radio faithfully shilled for Ogabe’s campaign trail Tax Cuts™ for
95%80%55% of us or whatever it was.So, we’re looking for a bigger tax bill.
What a foolish, foolish nation. To think it’s charged with governing itself while it thinks it’s being told the plain truth when it’s being set up for a fall.
I don’t think it matters just how much money the Dems will raise from special interests in the next month. America’s seen their policies. They suck. Time for anyone who’s not a union shill to shake off the yoke of Democratic oppression. But if the Republicans fumble this ball, there’s going to be millions of unhappy people without a political party to back.
Jeff, I think you can take it as given that the Democrats believe the American people are stupid. From that, everything else follows.
Yeah, Ernst. It was a rhetorical question.
= So the Dems come back, many of them lame ducks, and can’t get enough votes to push the bill with a jobs killing limit on it, and the tax cuts expire in January.
– All the losers get replaced and the Reps present a new bill extending the tax breaks for everyone, and the remaining Dems are too scared not to support it so it passes unanimously.
– In the mean time tax based activities are pushed off for how ever many weeks it all takes slowing revenue gathering even further and delaying any sort of recovery in the process.
– Brilliant maneuver Donkey’s. Just fucking brilliant.
– But don’t you ever forget. The party that cares is for the little guy.
They tossed the ball and swung their leg at it sure, but the ball fell to the ground unpunted.
Yeah, Ernst. It was a rhetorical question.
What’s a rhetorical question? </pedantry
Do the Democrats really believe the American people are so stupid that they’ll view the extension of a Bush’s tax cuts for some as a “tax cut for the middle class”? Do they really believe that allowing those Bush tax cuts to expire on “the rich” — defined in such a way that “the rich” are families with two incomes, or sma
I was just flummoxed that Obama had the nerve to claim that the government would be writing millionaires checks.
Well he should Carin, because it is. They’re generated by the Fed, made out to “Too Big To Fail”, and signed in red ink.
It’s a given that any Party that obsessively trades in envy and greed become State policy must believe its constituency too stupid and/or corrupt to care. From there everything else followed all right.
Optimates against the Populares
Yeah,Jeff. They REALLY think we’re that stupid
– I think the only time they even remember we exist is when they need to use our ATM cards, or scam us for votes on election day.
– Time for a wake up call they can’t ignore.
Well, it’s not like what we earn working is our money. All of it belongs to the government, except what they decide we should have.
– I remember we got that a lot during the mod 60’s when the popular admonition when you complained about taxes and whatnot that you should understand its a “privilege” to work.
– Later local laws made it a point to call themselves “right to work”, so the Socialist sickness was banging at the door even then.
Your right cranky. We should really be more grateful, huh?
I thought “right to work” laws were about keeping unions from forming closed shops, BBH.
“We should really be more grateful, huh?”
That’s what Obama said awhile back: “They should be thanking me. memememememe.”
– Correct Ernst, but it was also the gov dialing back the “privilege” crap. People were going “Huh……when the fuck did that happen……Privilege?”
– Paying taxes was also called a “privilege” at times….
Because he gives and gives and gives. Until it hurts!
– They were already starting with the Marxist “Privileged Western society” crappola.
Some clarity. More clarity. Not RINOs, moles, ruling class moles.
You are all condemned men! We keep you alive for the privilege of serving this ship. So row well. And live.
My favorite is government spending called “investments”.
Loyalties a one way street with the Optimates.
Obviously that should have been a possessive. I always liked that one myself geoffb. It’s lunchtime. I think I’ll go invest in a refried bean burrito. Can’t wait for the return on my investment.
You did need an apostrophe, but not because it’s possessive, but because it’s a contraction.
I think I got too much coffee in my Irish Whiskey this morning!
I hate when that happens.
Next time just add more whiskey to compensate.
My version of irish coffee is like an long-island iced tea. The coffee is strictly there for color.
fridays child is loving and giving
Retirement means Friday is just another day.
ted williams was only ‘really’ retired
after they froze his head…
that was the saddest day at the childrens cancer ward
when i had to utter/ hat in hand..
“the splendid splinter wont be hitting anymore home runs
for u lil tuggers…
whose up for a punt/pass and kick competition?!”
dunno. Whose?
mr. buttons!!!
called fly fishing…
spot the tell…
so my ‘lil’ future fry is a speller?
’nuff said
Time was short and stout was a thing to be proud of. Once Michelle came on the scene, we take counsel with ourselves before revealing any such detail, for fear of a visit from the Fatty-Police.
happyfeet punk’d me!
i’d rather be a sparrow than a snail
yes i would/ if i only could…
but[tons)\ i am short and stout!
say it loud, he’s proud and he’s stoud!!
overheard at an injun casino..
no/ i made it up
head honcho ask…
“why does cloudfoot gingerly approach white mans invention urinals?”
answer/ cuz he’s totally fucked up
why is cloudfoot sad?
cuz of u! pope-head
why no cloudfoot dance the dance of freedom no more/no more?
cuz u drunk drived and kinda..kinda crippled him
i am going to the pub
i am -ignorant/ not smart
in ur ways– master
who so humble as you..
you!
will meet me
and unleash the buttons?
u?
ha.. see u on ur plane
insane in the membrane..
A rhetorical question?! I was told the test would be True/False!
viva la reagan
“I was just flummoxed that Obama had the nerve to claim that the government would be writing millionaires checks.”
What chu talkin bout Carin?
Clarly the post November period will be one in which the Dhimmies pass the most outrageous legislation because they face no consequences. Higher taxes, gun restrictions, queer agenda, more taxes, more spending, more government controls.
I wonder if the people who vote Dhimmierat are ashamed of themselves.
Not planning on going home, are they?