WSJ editorial: Boehner and McConnell handing Obama relection

Take the name calling to PMs and let's try again.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/21/payroll-tax-cut-boehner-mcconnell_n_1162633.html

 

The GOP finally has some elected officials willing to stand by their guns. The Dems have always had people like this.

As a result, we've gotten the Dems to compromise a number of times, and we've moved the conversation.

Many Republicans truly don't see a downside to not getting some of these deals done. They don't see some government bill as the answer to every problem.

And, unfortunately, that freaks out the GOP establishment as much as it does anyone on the left.

 

It's funny how some people can argue any side of an argument with no shame. (Not you MisterCreosote.)

Is letting a temporary tax break expire a tax increase or not?

And, if the payroll taxes are how we fund Social Security, MediCare, and MediCaid, why isn't it a concern to continue to not fund them?

Aren't we robbing these programs with these "cuts"?

 

That's a good question for Grover Norquist, since he's apparently the person who has most tried to redefine the issue in this manner, especially when it's most convenient for the very wealthy.

Unfortunately, we actually need to pay our bills and fix the deficit to get the economy humming again and that will require tax revenue in addition to budget cuts.

At this point, the only group to which I favor cuts or an extension of cuts is the middle class, which has been the engine of growth in our country since WWII, not the "job creators."

I believe the most sensible way to achieve this is to dramatically increase capital gains taxes so that people who make their living as investors pay a similar rate to the rest of us.

 

You can call it hypocrisy. I'm fine with that.

But, both sides are hypocrites.

And, as for the fine print, it's about the actual votes. If you vote for a tax increase, then you've broken the "Pledge".

If a temporary tax cut expires without a vote, you did not violate the "Pledge".

And, the Republicans were willing to extend the tax cuts. But, in exchange they wanted the "Keystone Pipeline" to be approved.

That put it in Obama's court. What's it worth?

The current GOP House is willing to bargain. They just drive a hard bargain. I'm a fan. It's how I would (and have) negotiated.

 

As long as Harry Reid doesn't blink and the hostage takers don't get with the program and pass the extension that was overwhelming approved by the Senate in bipartisan fashion, the House GOP will add a nice final chapter for their clownery in this debacle of a Congress and be responsible for taking $1,000 each from hostages middle-class taxpayers.

 

That's what is so laughable about this. They had an opportunity to declare victory.

 

Oh, well then that was dumb politically.

 

But they've shown on multiple occasions that they won't bargain in good faith. That's different than a tough negotiation.

 

It sure looks like the Tea Party was all set for a fight, and since two months vs. a year is the ONLY thing left to fight about, that's what they're going to do. And YF, the point is not that this isn't their right to do it, but that people are really noticing this and it is all falling on the GOP. With the big election 11 months away, we're now getting to stuff people are actually going to remember when they fill out the ballot.

From AP yesterday:

However, Boehner and the Republican leadership prevented a direct vote on the Senate's two-month extension, signaling they may lack enough GOP support to defeat it in the face of unrelenting pressure from the White House, Democrats and some Senate Republicans.

It sounds like the plan would pass even in the House, but the squawkers rule the day.

 

Isn't this the real article from WSJ?

http://online.wSportsJournalists.com/article/SB10001424052970204791104577110573867064702.html?mod=ITP_opinion_2