Posted on 12/13/2010 6:20:50 AM PST by governsleastgovernsbest
What's happening, is that people are avoiding the real discussion.
The discussion of taxes and such, is predicated on the assumption that current government spending levels are sacrosanct. If one accepts that assumption, then the claim that tax cuts represent an "expense" actually has a great deal of merit.
What needs to happen -- and what the GOP needs to do -- is to shift the focus to the spending side of the equation. It needs to approached in a rational, reasonable way, and the discussion has to account for the fact that the reductions will necessarily be gradual (for political and even humanitarian reasons).
And (heresy!!!) it may even make sense in some cases for tax cuts to lag behind spending reductions.
All of this will require sober, responsible, adult behavior by those in positions of responsibility. Meaning that it will never happen.
does he mean on the tax cuts or on the additional spending?
Bingo!
You got that right. I thought that GOP's "no earmarks" pledge really amounted to nothing. More closed door meetings, and massive pork emerges. It's disgusting, but not surprising, that the GOP caved so soon after its landslide victory.
With 80 YES votes, they didn't even need the pork to buy votes. And Pelosi hasn't even started adding from her wish list.
Just like when Papa Bush raised taxes, in return for the Rats cutting spending.....yeah right....like that was going to happen......Papa Bush got played like a fiddle and it cost him the election.
This is a short term political winner for Republicans because next year they dont have to deal with these issues, at least for another year(unemployment compensation) but the future taxpayers/retirees got screwed once again. I haven't decided if this is a net political plus or a minus for Obama for 2012, I see both sides. In Obama’s case independents may like him for this but his base is fuming but has no place to go.
Notice how popular this deal is with both Democrats and Republicans(voters). Rather than either side have to swallow unpopular and painful tax increases or spending cuts as Obama's deficit commission recommended ironically, this deal adds even new tax cuts and more spending to the budget. The payroll tax cuts ( SS funded by even more treasuries and Federal reserve Q2 instead of FICA taxes) don't even go to employers to make labor cheaper to hire, they go to employees (many who don't even pay federal income taxes) supposedly to spend but mainly to buy their votes.
If the mounting debt starts to kill the economy by inflation or high interest rates the same fickle voters who loved this ‘Christmas Present’ will turn again on someone.
Scarborough is right about one thing. Obama has become the man he derided so much to get elected.
I guess I don’t understand what the GOP’s obligation is to Obama’s tax deal “framework.” The GOP agreed to extend the tax rates and nemployment payments, but do they have to vote for it no matter how much pork they throw in?
The GOP congress members’ primary loyalty should be to the voters who wanted not only low taxes, but also pork-less legislation.
Given that they are a lame duck congress they shouldn't be passing ANYTHING that extends beyond next Spring. It only gives Republicans cover (from responsibility) and Democrats power they shouldn't have after the election sweep.
There is something very perverse about Obama and Senate RINOs making a deficit booming deal like this just after a painful deficit commission report is released (that we all knew would be DOA.)
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