[adorno]

This was “the best” deal possible in current DC climate.

You are right, but....

That's exactly the definition of creeping socialism. We give a little, they give less, with the final result being that, we have slowly turned the country into a socialist haven (or nightmare, as many would prefer).

Little by little, deal by deal, compromise by compromise, the republicans have always yielded in order to not be vilified and to take the blame, and we end up with what we have now, a country with an economy which is already, basically, destroyed. Government deficit spending is all that's keeping the country running, but, it's more like running into a deeper hole with each dollar.

[indianrightwinger]

Very right. The cure for this problem is to turn public opinion into our policy direction. That can’t happen in the lame duck session with tax hikes looming on everyone. Look at it another way. All Bush tax cuts were always at risk. Now, they have been made permanent for 99.4% of tax payers. Well, that is a step in our direction.