Posted on 12/21/2011 8:19:29 AM PST by Qbert
The conservative Wall Street Journal editorial board is slamming House Republicans today for their hard-line position on the payroll tax cut, writing that GOP lawmakers are throwing the 2012 election to President Barack Obama before it even begins.
House Republicans are refusing to pass the bipartisan two-month extension of the tax cut that passed the Senate on Saturday, demanding a year-long increase. But Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says he'll only reopen negotiations on a longer deal once the House passes the Senate bill — and removes the immediate threat of a tax increase for most Americans.
[Snip]
The Journal's advice: Pass the tax cut — and fast:
At this stage, Republicans would do best to cut their losses and find a way to extend the payroll holiday quickly. Then go home and return in January with a united House-Senate strategy that forces Democrats to make specific policy choices that highlight the differences between the parties on spending, taxes and regulation. Wisconsin freshman Senator Ron Johnson has been floating a useful agenda for such a strategy. The alternative is more chaotic retreat and the return of all-Democratic rule.The Journal's criticism of Boehner will only strengthen the Democratic position, and is sure to be trotted out by Democrats and even some Republicans to pressure the Speaker to pass the bill — and put an end to the legislative nightmare. That said, Boehner hasn't caved to Democrats yet, and is likely to take these negotiations up to the brink.
(Excerpt) Read more at businessinsider.com ...
The WSJ has apparently gone to the Dark Side.
The WSJ is right. Nothing good could possibly come from refusing to pass the extension.
While the general bent of the WSJ tends to be conservative (economically, at least), their editorials are not always so. Mark this as a prime example.
What in the world has happened to the WSJ?? Are they nuts?
It isn’t a tax cut, it’s a cut in Social Security funding.
IE it’s a social security cut. C’mon repubs.
It’s redistributing income tax payments to cover a purposely created shortage in social security funds.
C’mon man!
Regardless of how stupid the GOP might be Obama has no chance of being reelected unless Ron Paul is the nominee. Stealing from the SS funds to fund a tax holiday was not a good idea in the first place now funding it for two month to argue another day is not as well. I hope the House sticks to their guns but I am not holding my breathe.
They always turn to cowards in the end at the the WSJ.
PS A LOT more attention needs to be put on the $$$$ being taken from Social Security!!!!!!!!
So...
The Republicans pass a ONE YEAR tax cut extension in the house...
Which goes to the Senate where THE DEMOCRATS block it and instead pass only a 2 month extension...
and this is the Republicans fault... how?
And why aren’t the Republicans screaming about how Obama is taking funds from social security~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! with this ‘tax cut’
Geez Boehner is stupid if he can’t bat this one out of the park. Would someone please give him a clue?
Or please vote him out of office of Speaker.
Tell that to the payroll processors whose systems are designed to handle different tax rates within the same fiscal quarter.
Let me see if I get this.... If we don’t give Obama everything he wants he will win the election.... ok thats pretty clear. Lets just lay down our arms and surrender now. the should make the establishment happy...
Who are these F-—ing people , other than cowards and statist
I had to turn off Fox ,they had Democrat after Democrat ,all on script blaming the Republicans , I think I’ll watch movies for the next year LOL
Note to self: read "Note to self" in tagline.
I believe the WSJ is right on this editorial. This was just bad marketing. We all know that in the end, the cut will be extended. The House and Senate Republicans needed to have a more cohesive plan, they didn’t do it, and their message was lost. They are allowing Obama (no matter the truth) to play a soundbite that is ridiculous, but as usual the Repbulicans don’t have a clear message of rebuttal!
The House’s argument for its actions is rational and easy to understand. They want to cut the tax for a year. The Democrats only want to cut it for 2 months. If you cut the tax for only 2 months that creates immense headaches for the people who have to implement it. Not so for the year long tax cut the Republicans have proposed.
Boehner is not up to the job. There does not seem to be any strategy. And the WSJ is delusional if they think the stupid GOP leadership is going to follow Ron Johnson - they already put establishment-friendly Roy Blunt in as Conference Vice-Chair ahead of Johnson, and despite a frenzied Tea Party push for Ron. The GOP is going to hand this election to Obama.
If the House Republicans cave on this it will make them look bad; if they let the tax expire it will make them look bad. IMHO, Poor planning by Bohnner and McConnell
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