GOP lawmakers take "tough" stand on Bush tax cuts ~

[mzmolly]

WASHINGTON – Fresh off big victories on Election Day, Republicans in Congress feel empowered in their fight to extend tax cuts that expire in January, including those for the wealthy.

President Barack Obama has said he wants to compromise with Republicans to ensure that tax cuts for middle-income families continue, suggesting he's open to extending all the tax breaks for a year or two. Republican leaders say it's a nice gesture by the president, but some key GOP lawmakers want more.

"It should be permanent," said Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H. "We've got to get this economy to pick up and if you raise taxes you're going to stifle the economy significantly. I'm sure that somebody's explained that to the president."

Rep. John Boehner of Ohio, who's in line to be the next House speaker in January, also played down talk of a compromise.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_tax_cuts

Notice how the press paints Republicans as "tough," and taking a "stand?" I wonder if Obama should "take a tough stand" and let the Bush tax cuts expire? Make the R's vote against a brand new middle class tax cut? The public seems unaware that Obama gave them a tax cut anyhow. Perhaps taking a "stand" will make it apparent. ;)

[Angry Dragon]

1. Tell them then they have to come up with a way to pay for them

without making any cuts to social programs.

Also ask them which is more important tax-cuts or the deficit.

[mzmolly]

3. Good ideas.

:hi:

[Andy823]

4. Let all the republicans

Who want tax cuts for the rich to forfeit "THEIR" pay, "THEIR" benefits and all their perks as members of congress to help pay for those tax cuts for the rich!

[Angry Dragon]

5. I wrote this earlier

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=9553006&mesg_id=9553090

[zbdent]

7. demand that they swear off all their entitlements (and they know they have theirs ...)

and then we'll promise to "work with them ..."

[tabatha]

2. The best suggestion I have seen so far

is to let the tax cuts expire, and then send out $1000 checks to everyone. First, they will be aware of them. Second, if the Republicans want to take them away, well .....

[deacon]

6. And what a completely successful job generating machine they have been eh? n/t

[mzmolly]

10. It's a shame we weren't pointing that out for Bush's tentire

term. "Where are the jobs Mr. Bush"?

[kentuck]

8. I can't believe the Repubs are making this argument..

and getting away with it.

If you cannot take the side of working people and the middle class over millionaires and billionaires, then there is no argument on earth that you can win. You may as well wave the white flag.

[mzmolly]

9. Odd that they can take the deficit is too large, and the rich

need a tax cut stance at the same time huh?