Reply #4: I voted "no" in that poll

[Blaukraut]

This is not compromise. It's giving in completely. The Democrats should have let the tax cuts expire, and the day after (right before the new congress) offered a permanent tax cut for the 250k and under income bracket. The republicans would have been forced to either vote for it, or go on record as opposing tax breaks for the middle class.

I might even have been able to swallow a 2 year extension for all, if Obama hadn't decided on a 2 year wage freeze for federal workers. Those savings don't even amount to a fraction of what the tax cut extension for the wealthy will cost, and it is a slap in the face of the middle class. And I do not believe for a minute that Obama choosing the lesser of two evils is going to prevent the repubs from implementing their idea -cut fed employees AND cut existing wages- as soon as they convene for the new congress. Doing this is only going to validate the republicans' efforts to demonize government employees. Sure, most of the workers won't be affected too badly by a freeze, but it's the idea of taking from the little guy in order to buy the big guy a present that offends me.

I've watched Obama for two years conceding when he didn't need to right away. Yes, he got major legislation passed, but in the end it was without his oh so treasured bipartisanship. For once I want him to stand firm and let the chips fall where they may. He has the bully pulpit and should use it to draw attention to the intransigence of the opposition. Every day, every week, every month, until the public hears it, loud and clear.

Granted, I see your point about people's paychecks getting smaller after the taxcut expires, but with a $20k taxable income, and increase of $419 over the course of a year will be absorbed. We are perfectly willing to pay more taxes again, as long as the upper 10% income doesn't get yet another break at everyone else's expense.