GOP's Top Tax Guy: Republicans Will Block Permanent Middle-Class Tax Cut

[cal04]

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/11/gops-top-tax-guy-republicans-will-block-permanent-middle-class-tax-cut.php?ref=fpi

The Republicans' top tax guy in the House threatened in the clearest possible terms today that he and the rest of the GOP would vote to block any tax cut for the middle class during the lame duck session unless tax cuts for the wealthy are extended for the same period of time.

In a policy speech at the business-friendly Tax Council today, incoming Ways and Means Committee chairman David Camp called the Democratic plan for tax cuts -- a permanent tax cut extension for all income up to $200,000, and a temporary extension for income above that level -- "a terrible idea and a total nonstarter."

"We would be foolish to fall for it," Camp said.

Now, everybody knows what's going on here. Republicans have been clear for months that their long term goal is to make sure all of these rates are extended permanently. But that means they don't want to have a fight in two or three years in which they side with the wealthiest two percent of the country against the Democrats. That's a losing fight, and terrible politics.

[gratuitous]

1. De-couple them, and force a vote on each piece

Let's see two of those infamous "up-or-down votes" that Republicans are always yammering about. Nice, clean bills, one to extend tax cuts for annual income below $250,000, and one for annual income above $250,000. Let's see who's serious about deficit reduction, lower taxes and all the rest. It should serve as an object lesson for the New Deficit Hawks to instruct them on just where everyone stands.

[TwilightGardener]

2. BRING IT, ASSHOLES!

[thereismore]

3. They are bluffing. nt

[MrsCorleone]

15. I can almost gaurantee that they aren't bluffing.

They'll vote Nay unless it includes cuts for the multinationals ("the rich") just like they did on the small business bill. Did the voting peeps even notice that one? Nope. The media would never report on the hypocrisy of the republicans.

[ORDem]

4. So now let's see if our President has the backbone to face them down on this!

:)

[napi21]

5. I listened to a Senator yesterday who sai there are NO SUCH THINGS

as permanent anything in the Congress. Every Congress & every day they'[re in session, they can vote to change almost anythng that's constitutional. It's time to stop talking about "permanent anything"! I still think the best answer is to let the Shrub tax policy expire for everybody and then have the Dems propose a new "Obama Policy". Let the Pubbies fight against that and see what happens. Most of us common people didn't get enough of a cut to make the fighting worth it!

[Drale]

6. Wow its like they are trying not to get reelected

but the sheeaple will probably somehow blame this on the Democrats.

[MrsCorleone]

13. Of course they will. After all, who will tell them what's really going on? nt

[WHEN CRABS ROAR]

7. One billion dollars = 20,000 people making 50,000 a year.

The projected 700 billion dollars that the government would receive over 10 years by doing away with the tax cut for the wealthy would be equal to 14 million jobs, each making 50,000 dollars a year.

[rgbecker]

12. Actually, 1.4 million 10 year jobs.

[Uben]

8. Make em vote it down!

The worst that could happen is all the tax cuts would expire, which would put a stop to the meme that republicans are pro-tax cuts! Make em own it!

[WhiteTara]

9. sounds like this guy needs some

DU love. Call the little f*cker a lot when he has a phone number.

[SpiralHawk]

10. "You little people can just eat shit and die." - Republicons

"Screw you Americans. More more more more more tax cuts for rich fatcat republicons."

- Republicons

[Winterblues]

11. Any bets on how quickly Obama will give in to them?

This is sickening.....

[fascisthunter]

14. the GOP seems confident that they have convinced enough voters...

that paying more taxes than the rich is somehow our duty.

"We must keep our rich, rich, so someday they can give us a job...."

:crazy: