Does somebody have the numbers? Gov. shutdown vs expiring Tax Cuts

[DetlefK]

Some members of the GOP are threatening a shutdown, unless spending cuts are enacted (respectively unless the spending returns to 2008 levels -> Coburn).

My question is:
If the Obama administration lets the Bush Tax Cuts at least partially expire, will that result in enough money to meet the republican demands for fiscal austerity?

[napi21]

1. My guess will be no, but IF all the tax cuts expire MAYBE

the result would be enough. I happen to think etting thewhole Shrub thing expire & work later on getting some reduction for the middle class in a separate bill.

[caty]

2. I was hoping that

before January 1st, the Congress and the Senate would get busy and pass some bills that the Dems want passed. Including one to keep the tax cuts for the middle class only. If President Obama and the Dems that are in the majority NOW don't do something this next few weeks, they are proving that they don't have what it takes to get the job done. If the repubs and the teabaggers are foolish enough to refuse to raise the dept ceiling and shut the government down as punishment, and cause great harm to the American people and other countries in the world, it will show how irresponsible and hateful they are.

[subterranean]

4. They should try, but they don't have a filibuster-proof majority.

They would need at least one Republican Senator to break ranks in order to extend the tax cuts for under $250,000 only. The Republicans have said no to that idea, so nothing will happen unless either they compromise (unlikely) or Obama gives them everything they want (more likely).

[Ozymanithrax]

3. Over ten years, figurs I've seen indicate that...

the middle class tax cuts will cost abotu 4 trillion. The tax cuts for the rich another 700 billion over ten years.