I suppose another thing to note is that even after Scott Brown's election (snatching the Dems' 60 vote majority away), when we lose seats to NRA-favored Dems like Manchin and Reid (right, the NRA didn't "officially" endorse Reid but NRA=oriented FReepers here defended Reid) that is still very bad, because when they pass something (even something innocent and non-controversial) with 60 votes, the "reconciliation version" (needing only 51 votes in the senate) that comes out later can be a very different bill.
It's a diabolical trick, no doubt confusing for many.
But that time limit does not apply to tax increases, just uncompensated tax cuts.
Another important tip. I tend to think of tax hikes as "uncompensated" but what do I know.
No, you miss the point which is why I posted that link.
They did have the power to do anything they wanted, and so can't blame the GOP for not helping. I did not disagree with that.
Just to clarify. The time expiration requirement in budget reconciliation rules applies to tax/spending changes that increase the deficit, not those that are deficit neutral or decrease the deficit. So that gave Democrats a number of tax increase options.
The law depends on CBO static analysis which always overestimates the revenues from tax increases or loss in revenue from tax cuts. So tax increases always look great to the CBO, win-win.
Alternatively there is the Republican Santa Claus claim that if you or I get a tax cut, any tax cut(even FICA tax cuts) , that results in NO loss in revenue. This contradicts the other Republican doctrine. the ‘Starve the Beast’ doctrine. You cant claim you are starving the beast if you also claim a strict diet makes the Beast gain weight.