Posted on 04/17/2012 12:27:08 PM PDT by evilrooster
We’ve decided on a new feature at Conservative Outcry – a daily (meaning as often as we get to it) response to a randomly chosen Wonkette article.
Although we pay very little attention to Wonkette, many liberals seem to enjoy their musings.
It is a known fact, however, that liberals are frequently incapable of discerning fact from fiction; especially, when fiction is presented in the form of a “left-leaning American online magazine of topical satire and political gossip”. While there is nothing wrong with satire, satire should always be based in fact. There is nothing funny about…hmmm…how do liberals say is...oh yes, non-truths (as opposed to lying).
With this in mind, we feel the need to offer insight into the issues discussed at Wonkette. We encourage our readers to not only comment here at Conservative Outcry, but also at Wonkette. Together we can help our liberal friends see the light, so to speak.
In Today’s article , “GOP To Ronald Reagan’s Secretary: Pay Those Taxes Harder!" Wonkette expresses their dismay upon learning that the:
“GOP blocked the Buffett Rule, the political gimmick that says millionaires have to pay as much in taxes as Ronald Reagan’s secretary.”
First, I think it should be noted that picture accompanying the piece is of Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher, not Reagan and his secretary as one is led to believe when hovering over it with a mouse. Can't even get the picture right? Oh well, lets just get into the article.
Instead of blocked the bill, I think its better said that most members of the GOP opposed the bill. In fact, Harry Reid was well aware he didn’t have enough votes for passage but decided to present the bill anyway. Considering the recent lip service given to the bill by President Obama, one can only assume Harry’s actions as a political ploy. But, then again, nothing’s funnier than painting Republicans as obstructionists.
“The Buffett Rule is broadly favored in American society — as the Washington Times notes, its approval its approval stands at better than 50 percent…”
Actually the approval rate is approximately 60% as Wonkette later points out.
It should be noted, however, that the only who’s had the luxury of traveling the country to promote a “political gimmick that says millionaires have to pay as much in taxes as Ronald Reagan’s secretary” is President Obama. Though I suspect now that the Republican contender has been pretty much been decided, we’ll begin to hear more about Ronald Reagan’s so called support for the “Buffett Rule”.
Instead of just hearing “Reagan would have supported the Buffet Rule”, we’ll learn that while Reagan increased tax rates on capital gains in the 1980’s, he also lowered rates on the highest earners from 50% to 28%. In fact, Reagan’s reforms were designed to be revenue neutral, as opposed to President Obama’s plan designed to increase revenues by approximately $50 billion annually. Coupled with the expiration of the Bush Tax Cuts, revenues are projected to increase much more than that!
“But since the Senate Democrats don’t have 60 votes (and even when they had 60 votes those votes still came with Ben Nelson attached), nothing will ever be passed forever and ever.”
Notwithstanding the fact that a 60 vote threshold is in place for a reason (darn those pesky rules), what happened to compromise? Reagan did so in passing tax reform in the 1980’s. Clinton did so in passing Welfare Reform in the 1990’s. I find it hard to understand why Democrats have given up on something that they do so well, as we have discussed in the past. Instead of playing political games, President Obama too could be remembered as one who “reached across the aisle”.
“…businesses report sitting on billions of dollars they otherwise might be investing if they had more certainty about the economy and tax policies.”
Seems like sound judgment to me. While they may have money to spend, businesses can’t justify “pulling the trigger” until they receive more clarification on future expenses. Maybe Joe Lieberman is the only member of the democratic caucus that actually listens to the people. Interesting concept.
As you can see, the Wonkette article isn’t really based in fact. A more truthful representation of the issue would be:
Most in the GOP remain opposed to the “Buffett Rule”. As a result, the bill in its current form has no chance at passage in the Senate (note my reference to no chance at passage – the bill should never had been brought up for vote in the first place).
As businesses sit on billions of dollars awaiting some clarification on future expenses, many are hoping the Republicans and Democrats can reach an agreement on future tax policy.
While some suggest Republicans could be open to a tax increase on Capital Gains in return for a decrease in Federal Income Tax Rates (similar to what Reagan did in the 1980’s), Senate Democrats remain opposed to any compromise.
But, I guess three paragraphs doesn’t allow for the “topical satire” Wonkette readers have come to expect.
Bookmark.
Seems to me since dims rule the Senate they’re the ones who blocked the bill. 51-45 looks like either too many dims were “no” votes or “abstain” votes. Am I right or way off base?
Seriously does ANYONE know how our Government works anymore?
Reagan didn't do anything but propose such and then SIGNED the bill. Who wrote the Bill?
Ok, not to be picky, but as President, Reagan owned the bill regardless who wrote it.
In fact, Reagan threatened to veto anything that did not reflect his wishes so in a sense you could say Reagan wrote the bill.
He did a bit more than just sign it.
Agreed!
And so what. Doesn't matter if threatened to nuke Kansas unless the Bill was written ITS CONGRESS WHO WRITES THE BILLS. And then it must be passed by BOTH houses. AND you will find that the Lower House was CONTROLLED BY DEMOCRATS all of Reagans Presidency. So when Obama and his asswipe buddies complain about Reagan doing this and doing that and exploding the Debt in reality the DEMOCRATS are the ones who had to initiate everything that happened during his Presidency.
Same as when they claim Billybob Clinton Balanced the Budget. HE DID SQUAT. It was the Republican Congress that did the deed. Billybob just signed the Bill!
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