Posted on 12/06/2010 10:34:17 PM PST by Qbert
Sen. Bernie Sanders on Monday all but promised to filibuster President Barack Obamas controversial agreement with Republicans to extend all of the Bush-era tax cuts for two years.
Appearing on "The Ed Schultz Show" on MSNBC, the Vermont Independent lambasted the agreement, which also includes a 13-month extension of unemployment insurance, a two-year exemption from the estate tax for estates worth up to $5 million and a host of provisions from last years stimulus bill.
I think it is an absolute disaster and an insult to the vast majority of the American people, Sanders told Schultz, adding that Democrats opposed to the deal are right. We're talking about social justice. They're talking about more tax breaks for billionaires who don't need it.
While Sanders did not explicitly say he would filibuster the bill, he made his intention clear, saying, I've got to tell you, I will do whatever I can to see that 60 votes are not acquired to pass this piece of legislation.
Whether Sanders can be persuaded to not try to block the bill remains unclear: Vice President Joseph Biden is scheduled to attend Senate Democrats luncheon Tuesday to defend the agreement, which Obama cut in secret talks with the GOP.
Senior Democratic aides said that while the deal particularly the estate tax provisions would be a bitter pill for the caucus to swallow, the agreement included enough pieces of the stimulus bill to make it worthwhile.
But Sanders, for one, said Monday that he believes Democrats should stand up to the GOP and the White House in the tax debate. I think we've got to hold tough on this, hold firm on this, and not concede to Republicans, who, as you indicated, have absolutely no inclination to compromise, he told Schultz.
Other Democrats, while not going so far as Sanders in threatening a potential filibuster, were unwilling to immediately throw their weight behind the bill.
I need to look at it. Im very unhappy about it, said Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) when asked on CNN whether he would vote for the deal. When pressed if he would stand on principle and vote "no," Brown said, if I think this deal is as serious as a problem as it looks at this point, Im likely to do that.
Right, I know. So nothing is set in stone at this point in time.
What The Rookie has done tonight is basically voiced his opinion (however nonsensical it is) and kicked a can down the road for the next president and left it up to Congress to squabble over. Meanwhile the tax rate increase deadline looms on the horizon while he’s basically washed his hands of the problem.
Even Ted Baxter has your number.
“What The Rookie has done tonight is basically voiced his opinion (however nonsensical it is) and kicked a can down the road for the next president and left it up to Congress to squabble over. Meanwhile the tax rate increase deadline looms on the horizon while hes basically washed his hands of the problem.”
I think he wants to run his 2012 campaign on his same tired 2008 theme: “GOP presidential candidate ______ wants to keep the temporary tax cuts for the wealthy for 2013 and beyond, and I want to give tax breaks for 95% of Americans and the middle-class, blah, blah...”. That’s why the deal was for two years only.
Didn’t hear that. Right on. The truly rich have not suffered since the Civil War when the slaveowners lost all their capital in forced labor and in confederate bonds.
Exactly.
LLS
LLS
I predict his approval will slowly fall to the high twenties... like johnson before him... he “has lost America”.
LLS
LLS
He can always run for re-election, but right now the odds of him being elected much less nominated are slim. The people that elected him in 2008 are abandoning him in droves. Those on the far left think he’s wimped out and those on the center right believe he’s too liberal. He lied to get elected and most people don’t like being lied to twice. Barely two years into his presidency and he’s a lame duck president and he has himself to blame.
Yes, Rush was brilliant. Let’s hear the very rich Wall Street fat cats and Hollyweirdos scream, since they’re often libtard-democrats....LOL.
Lord have mercy. 8,000 pages! How many days (and nights) do they have?
Filibuster, Bernie! Go for it.
Extending unemployment benefits 13 months
with no means to finance through cuts in other
spending is insane. Leaving tax rates at current
rates is better than the sharp increases on Jan 1st,
but still no great boon. Moving the expiration 2
years is still enough to kill job creation as many
businesses would barely be achieving any ROI on
the startup investment made in the current time
frame. Why take the risk? Just kicking the socialist
can down the road. Move the expiration to 2020
and cut corporate taxes. That would bring a stable
horizon and incentive to bring business back to the
U.S.
Precisely! That's class warfare for ya.
LLS
My work is done here, bedtime...
Its the GOP who should be filibustering this deal!
Oh yes, I suffered through his petulant community agitator rant. Man, he couldn’t have been more political while he was reading the words “Washington has to stop playing politics”...LOL.
He’s a national disgrace. You’re so right - he must have said “I” 100 times.
Red Eye is almost over, so that’s my door card out of here.
I want to say that I’m sure you’re right about the pork laden bill and 8000 pages, which means the House Republicans will have to shred the bill and wait for the new congress. They will have hell to pay, if they pass a porker. Seriously.
Bring it on Bernie!
My cynical side says however he wants some pork for Vermont or simply a bigger office.
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