Democratic Underground Latest Greatest Lobby Journals Search Options Help Login
Google

Republicans tie minimum wage to tax cut

Printer-friendly format Printer-friendly format
Printer-friendly format Email this thread to a friend
Printer-friendly format Bookmark this thread
This topic is archived.
Home » Discuss » Latest Breaking News Donate to DU
 
rodeodance Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-28-06 12:26 PM
Original message
Republicans tie minimum wage to tax cut

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060728/ap_on_go_co/minimum_wage;_ylt=AiQTJoYp1Ob_W48Xnz9IIo.s0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA3OTB1amhuBHNlYwNtdHM-

Republicans tie minimum wage to tax cut

By ANDREW TAYLOR, Associated Press Writer 7 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - Congress would pass an increase in the minimum wage before leaving Washington for vacation, but only as part of a package rolling back taxes on the heirs of multimillionaires, a Senate leadership aide said Friday.

The GOP package would also contain a popular package of expiring tax breaks, including a research and development credit for businesses, and deductions for college tuition and state sales taxes.

The wage would increase from $5.15 to $7.25 per hour, phased in over the next two years, the aide said.

The maneuver is aimed at defusing the wage hike as a campaign issue for Democrats while using its popularity to spur enactment of the Republican Party's long-sought goal of permanently cutting taxes on millionaires' estates.

But it seemed certain to provoke outrage from Democrats clamoring for a measure devoted solely to raising the minimum wage.

"Its political blackmail to say the only way that minim
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
brentspeak Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-28-06 12:28 PM
Response to Original message
1. Holy cow. Republicans raise the bar on "shamelessness" yet again
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
warrens Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-28-06 12:28 PM
Response to Original message
2. Those sleazebags
We'll throw a few dimes to the poor, but only if we throw billions of dollars to the mega-rich. Did I ever mention that I despise Repukes?
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
smirkymonkey Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-28-06 06:34 PM
Response to Reply #2
50. Meanwhile, the middle class gets f-ed up the rear as usual.
Bastards. :grr: :mad:
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
rodeodance Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-28-06 12:33 PM
Response to Original message
3. AND they smucked on small bus. and health insurance!! looky






.....id.

The move comes after almost 50 rank-and-file Republican lawmakers pressed House leaders — who strongly oppose the wage hike and have thus far prevented a vote — to schedule the measure for debate. Democrats have been hammering away on the wage hike issue and have public opinion behind them

"We weren't going to be denied," said Rep. Steve LaTourette, R-Ohio, a leader in the effort. "How can you defend $5.15 an hour in today's economy?"

It was a decade ago, during the hotly contested campaign year of 1996, that Congress voted to increase the minimum wage. A person working 40 hours per week at minimum wage makes $10,700, which is below the poverty line for workers with families.

In advancing the tax plan, GOP leaders excluded a measure popular with small businesses that would make it easier for small businesses and the self-employed to band together and buy health insurance plans for employees at a lower cost.

That idea was blasted as a "poison pill" by Democrats and labor unions. The small business health insurance bill exempts new "association health plans" from state regulations requiring insurers to cover treatments such as mental health and maternity care. And opponents fear they would offer inferior prescription drug benefits.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
truthisfreedom Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-28-06 02:56 PM
Response to Reply #3
30. rethugs HATE small business. it encroaches on hugh corporate profits
and that's where they get their contributions.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
gasperc Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-28-06 12:33 PM
Response to Original message
4. wow, the shock
I thought for sure they would tie it to eliminating overtime-
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Monkeyman Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-28-06 01:54 PM
Response to Reply #4
19. They are its called part time worker 39 hours no overtime
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Warpy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-28-06 12:38 PM
Response to Original message
5. C'mon, you knew they'd poison pill this to death
They're desperate to be able to point at Democrats as being against a wage hike.

The fact is that Democrats have voted against this very thing before, simply because that two year phase in period is too damned long.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
brooklynite Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-28-06 12:43 PM
Response to Original message
6. For those not aware of the big picture...
The Republican Congress has been running around for weeks trying to find something populuar to attach the inheritance tax revocation to, apparently realizing that they can't sell it on its own. Up until yesterday, they were trying to attach it to the pension relief bill.

The interesting aspect is that today's http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=2418346">earlier stories about the minimum wage suggested that this was coming up for a vote because the GOP was panicing about the possible impact on the fall election. Apparently its not bothing them so much...
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Stand and Fight Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-28-06 01:03 PM
Response to Reply #6
11. Actually it DOES say that in the article..........
Toward the end it is mentioned that Republicans don't want Democrats to be able to use this as a campaign issue in adds during the August recess... :evilgrin:
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
mia Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-28-06 12:50 PM
Response to Original message
7. So if Dems vote it down, are we to imagine the GOP campaign ads?
"Lawmakers fear being pounded with 30-second campaign ads over the August recess that would tie Congress' upcoming $3,300 pay increase with Republicans' refusal to raise the minimum wage."
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
ShortnFiery Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-28-06 12:52 PM
Response to Reply #7
8. NO, they should vote it down and explain why. This is SICKO! eom
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Buttercup McToots Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-28-06 12:55 PM
Response to Reply #8
9. Bastards
We got some real bastards buried in there...
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
lumpy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-28-06 01:14 PM
Response to Reply #8
13. Problem is the sheep can't see
past the headlines.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
bronxiteforever Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-28-06 12:57 PM
Response to Original message
10. Take them on and use it against them
Edited on Fri Jul-28-06 01:08 PM by bronxiteforever
This is a great opportunity-argue,straight vote up or down on minimum wage-call the amendment blackmail and say the Rethugs are destroying the working class in favor of the rich-which is exactly what they are doing.
then when they fail to allow a vote without the tax cut-propose a vote to repeal the last Congressional raise-say we can't take from the people if we don't give back!!! fight on
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
lumpy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-28-06 01:13 PM
Response to Original message
12. Always the political game to
keep power. That's what Congressional bills are all about, power and money that goes with it. No real thought is given to the overall economic & physical health of the country. This is our democracy, guys, don't forget the moguls that have enough feed to last through their triple generations.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
dreamsvsnightmares Donating Member (36 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-28-06 01:18 PM
Response to Original message
14. And let us not forget
that is IRS is eliminating 750 tax auditors. Which means if there is no one there to audit can you hear the taxes not being paid
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Ezlivin Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-28-06 01:25 PM
Response to Original message
15. Republicans would tie concrete blocks to life preservers
Whores, all of them.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Megahurtz Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-28-06 01:30 PM
Response to Original message
16. Pigs!
I'm so sick of their greed and selfishness.:puke:
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Stand and Fight Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-28-06 01:40 PM
Response to Original message
17. The American people are so out of it... But Democrats can turn this around
Our fellow countrymen are so out of it that I think that they will fall for this nonsense and blame it on the Democrats. God I hate to say it, but I really do believe that our nation is that gullible. They will hear, "Well, the Democrats refused to raise the minimum wage," and then it will be closed ears after that. They won't bother to listen to WHY they refused to go along with this. The best thing Democrats can do is try to table the discussion till AFTER the break and during the break shout from the mountain tops about this "DEAL" the Thugs on the Right are trying to pull. Get the issue out there in every paper, appear on all the Sunday morning talk shows, but absolutely refuse to debate or vote on this issue now. If they vote on it now, it's going to bite us all in the ass. I'm certain of that... They have to belay discussion until after the break -- it's the only way to beat the snakes at their own game.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
mccoyn Donating Member (512 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-28-06 01:41 PM
Response to Original message
18. So, make them eat it.
A victory will sell a lot better than a plan and thats just how democrats should be spinning this. The minimum wage issue is immediate to lots of Americans, but the estate tax isn't. Then, make the estate tax the issue for the election.

We come with a victory, a critisim of our opponents and a plan.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Lyric Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-28-06 01:56 PM
Response to Original message
20. I have to wonder about the timing
I've been reading today that inflation seems to be heating up, and there isn't much left that the Fed can do about it. The suspicious part of me thinks this is likely a ploy--the Repubs get to look like heroes for giving in to the minimum wage, but they'll also get a very convenient scapegoat later on when inflation is rising. They'll try to blame it on the minimum wage increase, rather than Bush's idiotic economic "plan", which makes them look like they were "right all along" about minimum wages creating inflation.

Don't get me wrong--I still want to see the minimum wage raised, because it's the right thing to do. But it's obvious that the Repugs are seeing something advantageous to themselves in this. They never do anything because it's the "right thing"--there's always an ulterior motive.

Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
newportdadde Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-28-06 02:02 PM
Response to Original message
21. Very nice timing, GDP growth is slowing and inflation is a wildfire.
So as this lurking economy finally lets out its last breath of overvalued housing booming construction and serive jobs they can help spin that as occuring because of the wage increase.. and they get the tax cuts too. Nicely played.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
redqueen Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-28-06 02:03 PM
Response to Reply #21
22. "nicely played" are not the words I would use
:nuke:
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Thaddeus Donating Member (291 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-28-06 02:04 PM
Response to Original message
23. This was so predictable...
I wonder how it will get played out in the media.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
antiblazer Donating Member (67 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-28-06 02:27 PM
Response to Original message
24. Republican obstructionist
Unbelievable. They had their up or down vote for the Supreme court nominees. Now they can't have one for the poor without giving handouts to the wealthy!!
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
fooj Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-28-06 02:36 PM
Response to Original message
25. The only reason taxes need to be raised is because
Repubs can't GOVERN! They spend like wreckless teenagers and then bitch when the only solution is to raise taxes to cover their assinine, irresponsible behavior. It's sickening. I'm sick of hearing the "tax" issue. It's "mute" as far as I am concerned.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Megahurtz Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-28-06 02:45 PM
Response to Reply #25
27. They spend on every OTHER country
but their own.

Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
fooj Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-28-06 02:56 PM
Response to Reply #27
31. The asshole is talking about helping Lebanon rebuild.
How about stopping the BOMBS first? BTW- how about rebuilding NOLA? What a novel idea.

Damn.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
KamaAina Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-28-06 02:40 PM
Response to Original message
26. Wait 'til next year
when the headlines read "Democratic majority finally passes minimum wage hike"!
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Lyric Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-28-06 02:49 PM
Response to Original message
28. Raising taxes is not an undue burden.
It's a necessary consequence of bad fiscal management by the party currently in power. The Republicans love to portray the government as one big money-sucking machine. And in some ways, it can be. But this time, raising taxes (or to be more accurate, putting them back to the levels they were at previously) is just a consequence of their own fiscal irresponsibility.

Republican leaders are like teenagers who went out of control with their Mom's credit card, and are now going to whine incessantly because they have to help pay back the bill. If American citizens don't like having to part with more tax dollars to pay back monumental debt--stop voting for Republicans! I'm tired of my party being branded as tax-loving fiends because we always get stuck with the responsibility of cleaning up the financial mess that the Repubs make of our national debt and economy.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
slestak Donating Member (403 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-28-06 03:23 PM
Response to Reply #28
36. True indeed
Welcome to DU!
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
ramapo Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-28-06 02:54 PM
Response to Original message
29. Republican scum
There is no end to their crap.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
truthisfreedom Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-28-06 02:58 PM
Response to Original message
32. hell, sign it anyway. who cares about millionaires' kids when we can save
so many impoverished children right now.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
ShortnFiery Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-28-06 04:23 PM
Response to Reply #32
37. The Government will go BROKE when only the Working and
Middle classes pay taxes. :grr: This is sick! Welfare for the upper 3% of the MOST WEALTHY - tax cuts and NO estate taxes. :puke:

Again, the Government will go broke and we will lose our Middle Class.

There will be only "The Haves" and "The Have NOTs" - nothing more. :(
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
mom cat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-28-06 03:00 PM
Response to Original message
33. No fucking way. Minimum wage should stand on its own, not be
tied to a budget busting giveaway for the mega-rich.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
w4rma Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-28-06 03:03 PM
Response to Original message
34. They poison pilled it again. The whole Rethug Party is loathsome. (nt)
Edited on Fri Jul-28-06 03:05 PM by w4rma
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
GoddessOfGuinness Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-28-06 03:18 PM
Response to Original message
35. They'll only raise the minimum wage if it's guranteed that
the gap between rich and poor can continue to grow.

This should be one of the primary talking points of the upcoming election.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Omaha Steve Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-28-06 05:49 PM
Response to Original message
38. GOP Makes Conditions on Wage Increase

Full story; http://apnews.excite.com/article/20060728/D8J56U181.html

GOP Makes Conditions on Wage Increase

Jul 28, 4:08 PM (ET)

By ANDREW TAYLOR

WASHINGTON (AP) - Republican leaders are willing to allow the first minimum wage increase in a decade but only if it's coupled with a cut in inheritance taxes on multimillion-dollar estates, congressional aides said Friday.

A package GOP leaders planned to bring to a vote Friday or Saturday in the House also would renew several popular tax breaks, including a research and development credit for businesses, and deductions for college tuition and state sales taxes, said a spokesman for House Majority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio.

The minimum wage would increase from $5.15 to $7.25 per hour, phased in over the next three years, said Boehner spokesman Kevin Madden.

The maneuver is aimed at defusing the wage hike as a campaign issue for Democrats while using its popularity to achieve the Republican Party's longtime goal of permanently cutting taxes on millionaires' estates.

It was not immediately clear whether the plan by GOP leaders would succeed. Lawmakers did not rush to embrace the idea.

And even if the House manages to pass the measure, success in the Senate is hardly assured. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, does not like the idea and wants to couple the business tax breaks with a bill to overhaul U.S. pension laws.

Bill Samuel, top lobbyist for the AFL-CIO said adding the estate tax to the minimum wage "is the mother of all poison pills. It can't possibly pass the Senate."

Democrats expressed outrage at the plan, saying low-income workers deserved a straight vote on increasing the minimum wage uncoupled to other measures.

Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Warpy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-28-06 05:49 PM
Response to Reply #38
39. Now it's up to THREE YEARS?
Plus they're putting in as many poison pills as they can?

I predicted this, folks. That's why the Democrats need to get off their asses and start shopping themselves to every chat show out there, from Oprah to Letterman, and start talking about WAGES.

It's THE wedge issue this season. Any Democrat who doesn't jump right on it is a FOOL.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
varkam Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-28-06 05:49 PM
Response to Reply #38
40. Damned if they do, damned if they don't.
Looks like another GOP ploy to try and back the Dems into a corner. If they vote for it, then the GOP talking point will invariably be that the Dems don't care about the poor, because they voted for the tax cut. If they vote against it, they don't care about the poor because they didn't want to raise the minimum wage.

:argh:
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
BOSSHOG Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-28-06 05:49 PM
Response to Reply #40
42. I don't think it will work this time
If I were a dem I'd vote against it with those riders and then howl like a horny wolf about the reasons why. If the republicans want to placate the ignorant wing of their base why don't they add a measure that would bring back slavery. And isn't it ironic that the ignorant base would benefit from the basic tent of the measure?
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Thickasabrick Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-28-06 05:49 PM
Response to Reply #42
47. I so hope you are right. I think we need an email blitz to all
the dems who will vote on this to "just say no"
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Jim__ Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-28-06 05:49 PM
Response to Reply #38
41. Enough media coverage and it will backfire on them! - n/t
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
movonne Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-28-06 05:49 PM
Response to Reply #38
43. I want the dems vote no..we can see what happens after the election..
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Roy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-28-06 05:49 PM
Response to Reply #43
48. Nope! They should yell loudly and often
It should be a part of every campaign ad why there will be no minimum wage increase.
And make it plain that in order to get one every republican must be replaced!!!!
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Tandalayo_Scheisskopf Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-28-06 05:49 PM
Response to Reply #38
44. This will be an easy frame.
For us.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
HockeyMom Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-28-06 05:49 PM
Response to Reply #38
45. But Paris needs to buy more Bling Blings
Have a heart!!!:sarcasm:
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
rodeodance Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-28-06 05:49 PM
Response to Reply #38
46. Repugs playing dirty with peoples lives!
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
daleo Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-28-06 06:05 PM
Response to Original message
49. The poor can't get a raise if the rich don't get a raise too.
The politics of envy.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
WestSeattle2 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-28-06 07:51 PM
Response to Original message
51. It's the old game....
one for me, one for you, two for me, one for you, three for me, one for you, four for me, one for you, five for me, one for you, six more me, one for you.

The party of greed just takes it over the top like they do everything else.

Twelve million for me, one for you.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Dont_Bogart_the_Pretzel Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-28-06 08:41 PM
Response to Original message
52. WTF!!!!
In three years, because of inflation (including high(er) gas prices, $7.25 an hour will be like $5.15 today! :puke:
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
OneBlueSky Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Jul-29-06 12:19 AM
Response to Original message
53. two words . . . Fuck 'Em! . . . (and that's being kind) . . . n/t
.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
BootinUp Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Jul-29-06 01:15 AM
Response to Original message
54. Dems need to tell the repukes "No deal".
Let the pugs pass it on their own. Then nail them on inability to run the government on a budget.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
DU AdBot (1000+ posts) Click to send private message to this author Click to view 
this author's profile Click to add 
this author to your buddy list Click to add 
this author to your Ignore list Sun Nov 03rd 2024, 07:36 AM
Response to Original message
Advertisements [?]
 Top

Home » Discuss » Latest Breaking News Donate to DU

Powered by DCForum+ Version 1.1 Copyright 1997-2002 DCScripts.com
Software has been extensively modified by the DU administrators


Important Notices: By participating on this discussion board, visitors agree to abide by the rules outlined on our Rules page. Messages posted on the Democratic Underground Discussion Forums are the opinions of the individuals who post them, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Democratic Underground, LLC.

Home  |  Discussion Forums  |  Journals |  Store  |  Donate

About DU  |  Contact Us  |  Privacy Policy

Got a message for Democratic Underground? Click here to send us a message.

© 2001 - 2011 Democratic Underground, LLC