McClatchy: Dems Unlikely to Repeal Tax Cuts for the Rich

[flpoljunkie]

(Dems desperately need to contrast themselves with Republicans. How better than to oppose 'tax cuts for fat cats?' Why on earth would Democrats want to miss an opportunity to make the Republicans vote no on tax cuts for the middle class, particularly when they are more likely than not looking at getting their asses handed to them in November!)

Democrats unlikely to repeal tax cuts for the rich

David Lightman
McClatchy Newspapers

last updated: September 01, 2010 01:08:52 PM

WASHINGTON — Democrats in Congress are poised to play a leading role this month in thwarting their party's effort to raise income tax rates on the wealthy.

Tax cuts enacted in 2001 and 2003 expire at the end of this year. President Barack Obama and Democratic congressional leaders have been eager to extend the breaks for individuals who earn less than $200,000 annually and joint filers who make less than $250,000. Those who earn more would pay higher, pre-2001 rates starting next year.

However, a small but growing number of moderate Democrats are balking at boosting taxes on the rich. Many face electorates that recoil at the mention of any tax increase. Some represent areas that are loaded with wealthier taxpayers. Further, some incumbent senators who don't face voters this fall are reluctant to increase taxes on anyone while the economy remains sluggish.

Without their support, the push to raise rates on the rich probably will fail.

"The economy is very weak right now. Raising taxes will lower consumer demand at a time when we want people putting more money into the economy," said Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., who isn't seeking re-election.

The bigger problem for Democrats looms in the Senate, where Majority Leader Reid's immediate problem is getting the 60 votes needed to cut off debate on the measure. Democrats control 59 seats, and at least three of them — Bayh, Ben Nelson of Nebraska and Kent Conrad of North Dakota — have signaled that they won't back a permanent repeal of the tax cuts for the wealthy.

They suggest a way out of a stalemate — temporarily extending all the expiring tax rates — but so far the leadership isn't going along.

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2010/09/01/99992/democrats-unlikely-to-repeal-tax.html

[bluestateguy]

1. Oh this ought to be fun

:puke:

[Thrill]

2. LOL

[chimpymustgo]

3. Motherf*ckers.

[daleanime]

4. No.

Way.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

5. Fuck the Blue Dogs.

[NC_Nurse]

6. Such bullshit. They're not repealing them, they're letting them expire. I am sick of these

DLC assholes. So glad Bayh is leaving.

[flpoljunkie]

12. Glad Bayh's leaving, too. McClatchy , how about the words 'extend' or 'renew?'

[BrklynLiberal]

7. -puke- WTF. This is just plain disgusting, if true.

The repukes might as well have the majority for all the good a Dem majority is doing...

[impik]

8. That's something worth going to a war for

[Cali_Democrat]

9. Wait a minute.....don't the tax cuts expire automatically?

I assume they would have to pass entirely new legislation to keep the tax cuts?

[flpoljunkie]

10. Yes, they all expire at the end of 2010. New tax cut legislation will be required.

[HughBeaumont]

20. Automatically. Hands off.

Repukes baked their own expiration into them. Repubs have no one to blame but themselves.

[JamesA1102]

11. This article is BS

First, the cuts are not being repealed, they are expiring. If congress does nothing they will expire no matter what. It's not like healthcare where they had to get blue dog votes to make something happen.

Second, there are several hurdles that an extention of these cuts would have to overcome. Nancy Pelosi has to be convinced to bring such a bill to the floor of the house for a vote. Even if that happens, it has to go to the Senate and be able to get 60 votes (yes that goes both ways) which means every Republican and 9 Dems have to vote for it. Even if you count in Lieberman, Bacus, Nelson, Bayh, Lincoln, Landreiu, Warner and Feinstein it still comes up short. Even if it doesn't it then has to be signed by the President.

[flpoljunkie]

13. Acutally, it's the most likely scenario with the Senate's Conservadems.

And that scenario is extending the tax cuts for everyone--including the 'fat cats'--because of Consevadems like Bayh, Nelson and Conrad. Expect there are others, as well. Can you say Blanche Lincoln?

[JamesA1102]

29. Still have to get to 60 votes nt

[jtrockville]

17. Under your scenario, non-uber-rich don't get an extension of lower rates.

That's the problem.

Something has to be done even to extend tax cuts for the non-uber-rich. Republicans are likely to block that if we don't also fatten the pockets of the uber-rich.

[JamesA1102]

30. True and what a great issue to campaign against them nt

[jtrockville]

32. Totally agreed. Go viral with the roll call.

[unblock]

14. the choice is to the let BUSH TAX HIKE proceed or to OVERRIDE the BUSH TAX HIKE

there is no "repeal" concept at play here as the "cuts" are scheduled to expire after this year.

shrub's law called for taxes to jump in 2011, so call it what it is -- BUSH'S TAX HIKE!

obama should counter this with ANOTHER OBAMA TAX CUT FOR INCOME TAXPAYERS UNDER $250,000.



the democratic party is in SERIOUS need of better issue framers.

[BrklynLiberal]

18. "the democratic party is in SERIOUS need of better issue framers. "

WOW! Do you ever have THAT right!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



The repukes are pros at this..and the Dems..are still being Charlie Brown to their Lucy!!!


This article is from 2003!!
You would have thought that MAYBE, JUST MAYBE..the Dems would have learned something by now.

http://berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2003/10/27_lakoff.shtml
Framing the issues: UC Berkeley professor George Lakoff tells how conservatives use language to dominate politics

http://www.truth-out.org/disaster-messaging61170

Democrats are constantly resorting to disaster messaging. Here's a description of the typical situation:

* The Republicans out-message the Democrats. The Democrats, having no effective response, face disaster: They lose politically, either in electoral support or failure on crucial legislation.
* The Democrats then take polls and do focus groups. The pollsters discover that extremist Republicans control the most common ("mainstream") way of thinking and talking about the given issue.
* The pollsters recommend that Democrats move to the right: adopt conservative Republican language and a less extreme version of conservative policy, along with weakened versions of some Democratic ideas.
* The Democrats believe that, if they follow this advice, they can gain enough independent and Republican support to pass legislation that, at least, will be some improvement on the extreme Republican position.
* Otherwise, the pollsters warn, Democrats will lose popular support - and elections - to the Republicans, because mainstream thought and language resides with the Republicans.
* Believing the pollsters, the Democrats change their policy and their messaging and move to the right.
* The Republicans demand even more and refuse to support the Democrats.

We have seen this on issues like health care, immigration, global warming, finance reform, and so on. We are seeing it again on the Death Gusher in the Gulf. It happens even with a Democratic president and a Democratic majority in both houses of Congress.

<snip>

[chimpymustgo]

22. Can you get your resume over to Axelrod?

[unblock]

24. the democratic party is also in need of people in power who will LISTEN to better issue framers!

but thanks for the recommendation!

:hi:

[w4rma]

36. This is the type of BS issue framing we get when the DLC is in control.

Purge the DLC and we won't get whomped in messaging!

[discopants]

15. Veto!

Has Obama ever used his veto on a bill? This may need to be the first.

Will they have the votes to override a veto? .... No.

[femrap]

16. Bayh is a wacko....

Keeping tax rates low for the rich has produced NOTHING in jobs nor increased consumption. The rich sit around counting their money, which they inherited, and never take risks like starting new businesses. They're too damn lazy.

Fuck the rich....better yet, don't fuck them ever again.

If the rich don't sacrifice in this massive recession, then it's pitchforks for everyone. We'll know if the this admin is bought and paid for.

edit for type

[flpoljunkie]

19. 'Tax cuts for fat cats' do not stimulate the economy--something we desperately need, and need now!

[MidwestTransplant]

21. Don't they expire anyway without any action? Why not just bring up a bill that extends them for

the middle class and dare the Republicans and DINOs to vote against it.

[flpoljunkie]

23. That's exactly what the Dems should do. Make the Conservadems vote no on middle class tax cuts!

[GrantDem]

25. I wish I had the faith in the Dem leadership that they will do the right thing here.

Unfortunately, too many times they have caved to the repubs and Corporate Dems and I fear they will this time as well. I hope I'm wrong.

[flpoljunkie]

26. Me, too. According to McClatchy here, 'So far, the leadership isn't going along' with Conservadems.

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2010/09/01/99992/democrats-unlikely-to-repeal-tax.html

[DrToast]

27. McClatchy is usually pretty good, but they butchered this

They don't have to repeal anything.

[flpoljunkie]

31. But, they do have to decide whether to renew some or all of the Bush tax cuts before year's end.

[DrToast]

33. Yes, but those who want to renew the middle class tax cuts hold the cards

Let them all expire and then dare people to block the middle class tax cuts.

[flpoljunkie]

35. I absolutely agree. But will Dem leadership be able to stand up to Conservadems to do it?

[geek tragedy]

28. Wow, this is one really awful article.

It taxes 60 votes to keep those tax cuts, plus Obama's signature.

[budkin]

34. Unlikely? Wrong.