Geithner.... &^%$#@ *&^%$# *&^%$

[Joanne98]

I HATE this BASTARD!!

Geithner Expects Deal on Tax Cuts.

http://blogs.wsj.com/ceo-council/2010/11/16/geithner-not-sensible-to-let-bush-tax-cuts-expire/


HE'S BEEN A FUCKING CURSE SINCE DAY ONE!

:argh: :argh: :argh: :hurts: :hurts: :hurts: :grr: :grr: :grr: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke:

[Cali_Democrat]

1. It's not Geithner. n/t

[grumgrum]

2. As reported Obama has a Big Man-Crush on Geitner

We already knew a tax cut deal for the rich was going to happen...it's jus tin Obama nature to go along with republicans no matter what.
Sure we have majorities on both chambers and its pretty clear how to sell this to the people but still Daddy Warbux needs a new pair of shoes

[CountAllVotes]

4. learn how to spell please

n/t

[ProSense]

3. It's the WSJ:

Geithner said the Obama administration favors a permanent extension of middle-class tax cuts but would “be very much against a permanent extension” of cuts for high-end earners.

<...>

Mr. Geithner hinted, as has the president, that there may be room for compromise, possibly a temporary extension of the cuts, but warned that temporary fixes could add to the lack of long-term clarity. “This should not be a complicated problem to solve,” he said. The administration’s ultimate position would be dictated by “what’s going to be best for the economy.”

Sounds like Geithner is against temporary fixes.

[Raine1967]

5. Yes and it jibes with this suggestion from CongressMatters:

http://congressmatters.com/storyonly/2010/11/14/2483/-More-from-the-realm-of-could-happen,-but-never-will

If reconciliation is still a live option, and you need to pass tax cut extensions for the middle class but not for the top brackets, but you're boxed in procedurally, why not consider this Hail Mary that'll never happen?

Pass the tax cut extensions for everyone, across the board. Send it to the president, and get it signed into law.

Then come back with a reconciliation bill repealing the extension for the top brackets. Since current law at that point will score the repeal as a $700 billion savings, you're good to go on the deficit reduction requirement. Move it under the FY2010 reconciliation instructions, and you're done.

I have a feeling this is how it may play out.

[Cali_Democrat]

6. That is a very weak strategy

If Dems come back later trying to repeal the tax cuts for the top bracket, repugs will just hammer the Dems for trying to increase taxes and they will be on the defensive.

It would be better to just let the tax cuts expire and then try to get entirely new legislation passed for permanent middle class tax cuts only. Force the repugs to vote against it and then beat them over the head.

Play offense, not defense.

[Raine1967]

8. I think this is offense, to be honest.

In that it's offensive that this is the way to go, but this seems I don't really see an alternative.

This congress has one reconciliation vote to use, this is how it should be used. The GOP has been hammering the Dems all along on this issue -- they never stopped.

I see what you are saying, but I have a strong feeling that if the tax cuts completely expire -- the GOP will use it for the next 2 years against the Dems. Trying is a good option -- but I don't think they have time or willingness (from the Senate, as always) to pass new legislation.

This is a situation that is already set in place. This seems like a good way to go. We don't really have time for a hail mary when we have a good defense to prevent a loss.



:hi:

P.S. Just wanted you to know, I was trying really hard to make a good sports analogy.

[ProSense]

7. Why would anyone advocate such a lousy strategy?

Let them expire.

[RaleighNCDUer]

9. You don't like temporary fixes?

LET THEM ALL EXPIRE.

The middle class cuts are really negligible, and that removes the 'oh poor rich guys' argument when only their cuts end.

Not letting them expire just buys into the Republican plan from the beginning - scheduling them to expire during a Democratic administration so they could use it as a campaign weapon.

We need to let them ALL expire and when the repukes start their "democrats raising taxes" bullshit, bludgeon them with what the cuts have done to the economy over the past ten years. It is not a hard argument to make that 'we', you and I and the guy down the street, can handle paying another $200/yr in taxes so long as the guy in the gated community pays another $300k.