Obama predicts tax bill passage, changes possible

[The Northerner]

WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama is predicting congressional approval of his tax-cutting compromise with Republicans. Yet he's not ruling out some changes as unhappy Democrats put finishing touches on the legislation.

In an interview with NPR, Obama says his compromise with GOP leaders was a framework, not a bill. He says he's confident the final version will look like the deal he struck with Republicans.

Obama's accord with the GOP would cut income tax rates for all earners, renew long-term jobless benefits and trim Social Security taxes for one year. Democrats have objected, saying it is too generous to the rich, especially its provisions cutting estate taxes for the wealthiest Americans.

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/10/AR2010121001567.html

[hay rick]

1. Missing from the article.

Concerns about the payroll holiday being an attempt to render Social Security insolvent.

A week after Obama's "bi-partisan" deficit commission failed to come up with a consensus, Obama comes right back with a plan for a payroll holiday, the expiration of which in one year's time would inevitably be opposed by the Republicans, blue dogs, and the media as a "tax hike."

No issue here. Take it from the Post.

[BzaDem]

2. I think you're too worried about Republicans. If Republicans get the power to cut Social Security,

they are going to do it REGARDLESS of the payroll tax.

If they do not get the power, they can't do it regardless.

It's not like there are Republicans who are like "oh, I wasn't going to cut SS, but now that you bring up the payroll tax, hmmmmmm." They might cut, or they might not, but it has nothing to do with the payroll tax.

[daleanime]

5. So we should just make it easier on them?

Hell no!

[hay rick]

6. Not at all.

Social Security is a popular plan. Therefore, the Republicans want to attack it indirectly to avoid paying a political price. The method is simple:

1. Temporarily reduce the employee contribution and call it "stimulus" and "fighting recession."
2. When the reduced contributions are due to expire, call the restoration of the rate needed to keep Social Security fully funded a "tax hike." The Democrats can cave in by citing the need for more stimulus.
3. Rinse and repeat.
4. After years of inadequate employee contributions make the program actuarially insolvent, "save" Social Security by cutting benefits, raising the retirement age, privatizing it in whole or in part, or some combination thereof.

At no point do the Republicans need to directly attack Social Security. All they need is an inattentive public and a somnolent (complicit, actually) media establishment.

[Laelth]

9. Precisely. n/t

-Laelth

[Skittles]

4. yup

fucking con game

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. Take it or leave it to this is just a framework!!!!!

KEEP THE PRESSURE!

[hay rick]

7. Could

he be caving on the cave?

[w4rma]

8. To the Republicans, Wall Street, the super wealthy and multi-nationals? Yes. (nt)

[nadinbrzezinski]

10. We need to keep it up, that's all we can do

[NightWatcher]

11. Pass it now, fix it later....now where have I heard that before?

Fool me once....

So he'll cave to the pukes then lie to us...