Reid Immediately Calls For Middle-Class Tax Cuts

[Bob Geiger]

Immediately refuting the campaign lies spewed by Republicans guaranteeing across-the-board tax increases from a Congress controlled by Democrats, incoming Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) opened the lame duck Senate session yesterday by calling for tax relief for middle-class Americans.

In what will be one of his last opening statements as Senate Minority Leader, Reid called for the passage of tax breaks for middle-class families and businesses as well as appropriations bills that include funding for veterans’ health care, education and energy programs.

“For too long, Americans have watched as Washington has ignored their needs, and concentrated on special interests instead,” said Reid, Monday on the Senate floor. “Families have struggled with high health care costs… only to see big drug companies get billions from Congress. Ranchers in Nevada have struggled to fill their tanks with gas… only to see Big Oil companies get tax breaks. In the weeks and months ahead, Democrats will focus our energies on the real challenges facing America, and take concrete steps to protect the country and help working families get ahead.”

Reid proposed that the post-election Congressional session be used in part to extend critical middle-class and business tax cuts including the following:

• Deductions for college tuition

• Deductions for state and local sales taxes

• Deductions for out-of-pocket expenses incurred by teachers

• For business, extending the Research and Development, Work Opportunity, and Welfare-to-Work tax credits

Reid pointed out the fact that, despite the GOP-controlled Senate moving heaven and earth in the last two years in attempts to pass the "Paris Hilton" Estate Tax Cut for the wealthiest Americans, they have allowed tax breaks benefiting the middle class and working families to languish and expire.

And, after a campaign season that saw the GOP trying scare every voter in America with talk of Democratic tax hikes, the Republicans' refusal to extend these cuts would -- in an ironic bit of truth -- effectively result in a GOP-instigated tax increase for middle-class families next year.

"Unless we act to extend this relief in the next few weeks, families will be facing a tax increase next year," said Reid. "That is unacceptable. We need to act."

How much you want to bet that lame-duck GOP leader Bill Frist tries to join it with a whopping tax cut for Ms. Hilton?

You can read more from Bob at BobGeiger.com.

[texpatriot2004]

1. Thank you Senator Reid and Welcome to DU

:hi:

[xultar]

2. And the media keeps sayin we don't have a plan.

[bluerum]

5. The media lie like rugs. nt

[Straight Shooter]

14. Yep. So it's time to walk all over them.

;)

[EFerrari]

3. No flys on Harry Reid.

lol

K&R

[bluerum]

4. Middle class tax cuts - top 1% and corporate tax increases.

"Unless we act to extend this relief in the next few weeks, families will be facing a tax increase next year," said Reid. "That is unacceptable. We need to act."

I am all for tax increases - on the top 1% and corporations.

[underpants]

9. DING! exactly

Blow the "Tax and spend" BS out of the water for ever.

[bluerum]

15. Just trying to be realistic. If we want to provide government and services

why not have the people who are pulling the strings and running the lobbies pay for more of it?

[electropop]

82. Those who benefit the most from our society owe the most

for keeping it running and supporting their soft white asses.

[mom cat]

79. For Ms Hilton, it would be chump change!

[elehhhhna]

6. BEAUTIFUL -- but can we give the teachers a tax credit vs. deduction?

They need it.

[depakid]

7. Ummm- what about the budget deficit

Just how do we fund such things?

I predict that many of you are going to be disappointed in Reid again.

I could be wrong, time will tell, but in my experience, cats don't change their stripes.

[gratuitous]

11. I suppose we could keep the estate tax

Institute a windfall profits tax on the oil companies that declared the greatest quarterly profits in history. Quit flushing money down the toilet in Afghanistan and Iraq. Restore some measure of progressiveness to the tax code, and raise taxes on the overrich. Quit emptying the Treasury into those same overrich pockets.

Feel free to jot down any other thoughts on how to restore some balance to the federal budget.

[depakid]

13. We're hemmoraging big money - every day, even with the estate tax!

and Reid is talking about speeding up that process? I can't think of many things that would be irresponsible than that.

Now, adjust the tax system so that corporations the the very wealthy pay their fair share- that would be intelligent- but as I mentioned, I'll be VERY surprised if Reid and the corporatist Dem contingent would go along that.

I hope he proves me wrong- but unlike a lot of folks, I'm not so exuberant that I've forgotten what went down these last 2 years.

[calimary]

19. I know where we can get 100-thousand bucks a minute...

All we have to do is STOP THE WAR AND BRING EVERYBODY HOME!!! I'll bet we all can think of 100-thousand better uses for that money.

In fact, we could even use it as a rationale to throw back in the faces of the tax-cuts-or-die crowd. In all of our history, there was NEVER a war started at the same time taxes were cut. More likely, taxes were raised to support that war, and to involve everyone in the civilian community in the support of that war. We all sacrificed to support the troops, and that was okay by EVERYONE. At this point, I'd tell the tax-cut worshippers (who are also more likely than not the same bunch that wants to "stay the course") that they can have ONE OR THE OTHER. NOT BOTH. You want your precious tax cuts? You want to see them extended? Increased? Spread ever farther? Okay, FINE. But you'll have to give up your precious war to bankroll those tax cuts. The "freedom isn't free" crowd ought to be reminded that tax cuts aren't free, either.

[depakid]

20. Now there's a win/win solution

:-)

It'll probably a little more than that- but it sure would be a start....

[Selatius]

25. A major source of revenue is taxes on dividends and capital gains. Cancel Bush's tax cuts on those.

The poor generally don't derive their income from trading stocks, much less own dividend paying stocks.

[Hippo_Tron]

58. Seriously, we need to get our priorities straight and stop stimulating the Swiss economy

One of my favorite scenes form the West Wing is when they are talking about the massive proposed GOP capital gains tax cut.

Bartlet: I'm not an economist, but -- no, wait. I am an economist. So their plan would do what, CJ?

CJ: Explode the--

Bartlet: Explode the deficit. Will it stimulate the economy, Josh?

Josh: It'll stimulate the Swiss economy.

Bartlet: Josh gets extra credit for being funny and right at the same time

The GOP might have an argument that a capital gains tax cut encourages investment which will lead to future economic growth but the rich put their money into overseas bank accounts these days. Cutting capital gains does nothing but give rich people more money.

[calimary]

59. Best of all is the reaction I get when I say that.

EVERYBODY'S ears perk up. And when I add the punchline, the reaction is still positive - frequently VERY positive. I just do not run into many people who support this war (or still support this war) AT ALL. Try it sometime. You'll have fun with it!

[meow2u3]

76. We should slap a windfall profits tax not only on oil companies

But also on companies that offshore American jobs to India, China, and other cheap-labor countries so they can boost profits at the expense of the American worker.

[HughBeaumont]

34. It's called making the rich pay their FAIR SHARE.

Corporations as well.

[noahmijo]

77. That's the easiest part

95% of taxes are paid by the top 5% wealthiest in this country give or take. The thing is though the top 5% don't even feel it as it is-the republican tax cut on them just made them able to hang onto that much more-now they can buy two yachts this year instead of just one.

The sad truth is you could completey eliminate taxes on the middle class, cut back on corporate welfare and defense spending and still hold a balanced budget and the rich could even still keep their millions-problem is they don't want millions they want billions

[mopinko]

8. yeah! deductions for college tuition

something i would have thought this country could do about 50 years ago. we are in the tuition squeeze years. earn barely too much to get jack in aid, but not enough to send the kids to the top tier colleges without depleting our retirement fund. and not blue blood enough to get that legacy crap.
i think this is how you could define the real middle class.
thank you harry for a very progressive tax cut. finally.

[rniel]

10. "Middle Class Tax Cuts"

Now that's going to sell.

I really hope those are the exact words "Middle Class Tax Cuts" that they train every democrat on tv to use.

Seems like they are thinking more carefully about the wording of these things. And using that word every time points out how Bush tax custs were NOT for the middle class.

[bluerum]

16. Bottom 99% tax cuts - not just middle class.

Personally, I think that if you make less than $20k you should pay a flat tax between $500 and $1000 a year.

Everyone else should be indexed as a percentage of income. This include corporations and businesses.

[smb]

36. Yes!

If the Democrats try hocus-pocus (advertising a "middle-class tax cut" and then weaseling out with some absurdly restrictive cap like $50-$75k on what constitutes "middle class"), they'll flush their credibility down the crapper and cement the Republican line "Dems = Tax Increases" for another generation.

[elehhhhna]

83. They'll cap it OVER 165K. That's their current annual salary.

Always have, always will.

[elehhhhna]

84. Dems need a punchy ( and honest) name for this initiative....

Tax Relief for ___________ ?

"the Majority"? Nah.

Suggestions welcome.

[bluerum]

86. Just plain old "Real American Tax Relief".

Real American Tax Relief: A tax relief program designed to reduce tax burdens in a fair, equitable way. The Republicans found a way to provide tax relief for the top 1% - now we are going to help out the rest of America!

I think that has a ring to it!

[Seedersandleechers]

12. What about "single without dependents"

Will they be considered for this tax break. Tax breaks for families are ok with me-but what about us single people.

[Fridays Child]

53. Why do you hate America?

:evilgrin:

[alarimer]

81. They need to apply these breaks to everyone

But, haven't you heard? Single people don't count. We are not worth anything since we don't have kids or people depending on us. :sarcasm:

I have seriously heard people say that. Still I think some of the provisions would apply. There is currently a lifetime learning tax credit that I have been using to deduct part of my tuition from my taxes. It has increased the amount I get back by up to $300. Also being able to deduct state sales tax would apply too (although I have never bothered because that sounds like a big pain in the ass too).

[jpwhite]

17. yes to middle tax cuts, but don't forget social security

I agree with middle class tax cuts. However, once we take over the congress in January don't forget about social security. We need to raise the FICA limit from 90,000 dollars to one million dollars. This will ensure that social security never goes broke and it will show the seniors of America that we are serious about taking care of the elderly of America. They paid into the system for their parents and now it's our turn to do the same for our parents (I am 33 years old.)

James
[e-mail]

[smb]

37. That Won't Do Any Good

Raising the FICA cap merely creates a correspondingly larger obligation down the road to everybody who is charged the extra taxes (if you try to avoid paying, you replace the concept "Social Security is insurance" with "Social Security is welfare" and guarantee that the next attempt to abolish it will succeed).

[Fovea]

18. DEAR SEN REID...

How about a 75% tax cut on income from disability insurance, public or private?
Between the cost of meds and out of pocket health care, we are going under.

[BootinUp]

21. Pour it on Harry!~

No mercy on those repugs.

[gully]

22. Reid just stuck a knife in em.

LOL

[redqueen]

23. Oh my goodness! You mean repukes were LYING?! Heavens no!

How can that be?!

They're so GODLY!

:rofl:

[heinz]

24. Brilliant move by Reid

Harry Reid is proving that the Dems can be smart about the economy also. Slashing taxes on the working poor, those making under 50k a year is a very smart move, proving that the Dems are for the working class. Also targeted tax cuts for businesses such as Mom and Pop type setups would do much to help keep working people in business for themselves, and we would not have to depend on corporations for our food and so forth, like Walmart were so many of the nations working class poor goto for food. We must be careful however not to raise taxes somewhere else to supposedly makeup a shortfall. Prime example is when taxes went up for Walmart, Walmart simply passed it on as a price increase to the consumer, ie: working poor. If a tax increase is passed onto business it must be done in a manner that comes directly out of the pockets of the rich, such as luxury taxes, or taxes on goods that most people don't buy, like big yachts. If the Dems do this they can prove to consumers that they do understand the new economy and don't cling anymore to the outdated economic socialist model which has only worked in tiny countries like Iceland and Switzerland and most people in the U.S. distrust and don't understand. Lets face it, the U.S. is simply just too big for any kind of centralized planning by the government to work.

[I Have A Dream]

74. Welcome to DU, heinz! Very good points.

:hi:

[elehhhhna]

85. Heinz, if Congress simply goes fishing offshore, we can pay off the deficit:

http://www.senate.gov/~levin/newsroom/supporting/2006/PSI.taxhavenabuses.080106.pdf

[19jet54]

26. Finally, common sense politics...

... Harry :yourock: !!!!!!!

[bobbolink]

27. Once again, the poor folk are invisible.

Screw it all.

[19jet54]

28. how?

The poor don't pay taxes anyway... what do you want, free stuff?

Harry is the most active Senator for immigrants, the poor and the common American I have ever seen - You would be lucky if he was your Senator too!

[bobbolink]

29. What I want is common courtesy

From your response, it's clear that isn't going to come from you.

Bye now...

[19jet54]

30. The American Dream...

from what I read, the plan is to enable the American Dream - better education, start up a business, and create jobs; the only catch is that you have to work for it?

[bobbolink]

32. I'm thinking this is not your forum, eh?

So long... if you came here to start fights, you'll find yourself on the other end of the stick.

Bye now...

[19jet54]

56. Combat...

...no, I go into a combat zone when I want to fight (vet) - I will always defend my senator though!

[flaminbats]

39. the poor pay taxes...ever hear of sales tax?

but such taxes often take more from the poor than they earn, leaving many in debt!

Nobody gets something for free. Isn't that why we have to pay taxes for things? The war in Iraq, Social Security, and winning the Cold War? All of these things cost money, and if we don't pay then our children shall.

[savemefromdumbya]

47. yes ITA, Paris Hilton should pay 35% sales tax!

poor should be exempt from sales tax. Megarich have to pay more (Paris Hilton should pay 35%)

[19jet54]

57. Consumption tax...

... is a flat tax that everyone pays equally, for the most part. As is property tax, fuel tax, tobacco tax, liquor tax, road usage tax; state income tax is modeled after federal taxes and is not a flat tax (depends on the state of course).

[flaminbats]

62. really..then what makes it regressive?

two people pay the same sales tax. one person is disabled, but barely makes enough to eat. another person makes enough to eat and pay the bills. so who goes into debt?

I'm not against the sales tax, but I'm not against the progressive income tax either. I think each tax serves it's own purpose. A consumption tax is regressive, but less paper work is required from the average citizen. The progressive tax requires more paperwork, but it allows those barely struggling to get by..to also save money. This allows a millionaire to pay the same percentage for the first dollars earned as a working class individual. The millionaire only pays a higher percentage only for the dollars this individual makes above a certain amount. A sales tax works, when it isn't primary source of revenue for funding government services.

The sales tax is in no way paid equally..because it raises the cost of living for every citizen, making saving money and accumulating wealth more difficult for working class citizens. It also has an inflationary effect on the economy, resulting in higher prices..but not always more revenue when taxes go up.

[Selatius]

66. the progressive tax, in reality, is more regressive than progressive

There is no unifying philosophy behind it. The tax code has been used for various political and economic purposes. The result is a lot of complexity, and unfortunately, there's a lot of things in the tax code that allow the wealthy to drastically cut down their tax burden. I remember reading a GAO report a year or two ago stating most US-based corporations don't pay federal income taxes at all, and of the ones that did, most of those had tax liabilities roughly 5 percent or less. Your average worker pays closer to 25 percent when one factors in local, state, and federal taxes.

[flaminbats]

67. then it wouldn't be called progressive..

there is nothing "regressive" about taking 15% of the first $40,000 someone earns, 25% of the next $20,000 earned above that, and 35% of the dollars earned another $20,000 above that. In such a scenario, even a rich person doesn't suffer when more money is earned! I think sales tax is beneficial, especially when used on the local level. It allows state and local communities to use this to their advantage when raising revenue, especially in areas with plenty of tourism. It also keeps such consumption taxes low because other sources of revenue are available.

The current tax code was put into place because of the efforts of both Roosevelts. TR had allot to do with making the necessary changes to the Constitution to start a progressive income tax. FDR used the progressive income tax to finance the New Deal and WWII without leaving the huge debt behind that we have today! over 7/8ths of our current debt was left behind since Reagan was President! I know our tax code still has allot of loopholes for the wealthy, but a national sales tax will not bring in this revenue. IMO we should start by ending the Bush taxcuts. To keep Social Security and Medicare solvent we should increase the payroll tax, while providing medical coverage to every generation. This will prevent a generational war that would otherwise occur just to keep these programs solvent beyond the babyboomers.

[Selatius]

69. It's progressive on paper, but not in reality due to loopholes, gimmicks, etc.

I'm not talking about the theory of a progressive tax code. On that, I am in 100 percent agreement with you. However, the current tax code is, by no means, progressive. That was my main point. I am sorry if I have mislead you on that point.

[19jet54]

61. bobbolink - The poor...

... no disrespect intended - Do you have suggestions regarding the poor? "Screw it" does not provide useful information to pass to my senator 'Harry Reid'?

99% of the blogs are usually just people venting frustration... 1% are actually constructive.

[flaminbats]

31. wow..no more revenue needed?

http://zfacts.com/p/461.html

[savemefromdumbya]

45. that's a handy website!

[flaminbats]

48. amen..let's hope Reid looks at them!

I'm not against a middle class taxcut, but let's get out of Iraq and reduce our debt before we consider such taxcuts. :thumbsup:

[19jet54]

72. Talk about Iraq....

did you get your wish?
Read this:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15706690/

[fuzzyball]

33. What range of income (family of 4) is defined as "middle class"?

I also do not like targeted tax cuts. What about those
millions of taxpayers who do not have college age kids?
Just give me a middle class taxcut reducing my tax bracket.
My usual family income is in the range of $60k to $70k.

[smb]

38. There's The Crux Of It

Attempts at "targeting" just make an already excessively complicated mess even worse. Attempts to define down the "middle class" strip away a key portion of the base (e.g. in NoVA, $100K/year is MIDDLE CLASS -- try and shaft them of their deserved tax cut by claiming that they're rich, and Virginia turns right back from purple to bright RED).

[enough already]

41. Exactly

Anyone not defined as "middle" is going to be pissed and the pukes will jump all over it. You can't out-tax cut those nazis, they'll always say it needs to be more. And what about the poor? The deficit? We didn't run on this and I fear we're going to get burned.

[Naturyl]

89. I agree

Both "middle class" and "tax cuts" are well known right-wing buzzwords used to frame the public discourse and move it away from a focus on poverty and other problems inherent to capitalism.

[savemefromdumbya]

46. yes,

yes $100,000 to $200,000 IS middle class these days. Have to move with the times. Less than $100,000 is underpaid.

Penalizing those big oil companies would be nice.

[fuzzyball]

80. Depending on WHERE you live, cost of living is highly variable...

Living in San Francisco is three times more expensive than
some small town in mid-west or south.

We bought a brand new house (in 1998) in small town CALIfornia for
$117,000 with 2400 SF & lotsa upgrades. The same house
in SF or LA would have been atleast 4 to 6 times in 1998.

So targetting taxcuts will screw a lot of people.

[Dr Fate]

88. I would prefer this too. n/t

n/t

[ManWroteTheBible]

35. Wow!

The man walked right out onto the Senate floor and kicked every Repugnican right in the cajones!
And this is the beginning? Damn! Pass that popcorn over!

[LynneSin]

40. There those damn libruls go again raisin' our taxes, we're SCREWN

:eyes:

The vote of every senator and representative should be preserved for the 2008 election so we can go after anyone who does not support this tax cut

[DFLer4edu]

42. Where is this in MSM

cnn doesn't seem to have it and this article has been up since this morning. I want all the mainstream media pundits to have to announce this and bite their tongues.

[FernBell]

64. My thoughts EXACTLY! I couldn't find the FIRST THING about this anywhere else in the press.

[blondeatlast]

43. Get 'em on the ropes early, guy! Love it, LOVE it! nt

[EVDebs]

44. Capital Repatriation from corporate offshoring can bring back into US billions

American Shareholders Assoc article shows how Bush has used capital repatriation to keep his administration financially afloat

http://americanshareholders.com/news/asainvestinusa03-04-04.pdf

but the repatriation program is set to expire. By revising the tax system that makes job, and capital, exporting lucrative to corporations, Congress can start reversing some of the damage 'globalization' is doing.

[savemefromdumbya]

49. Salary of the middle class caution

middle class also includes people in the $100,000 - $200,000 range. Especially with 2 salaries coming in. Less than $100,000 is underpaid. Penalize CEOs and big shots of large corporations. and don't let them out of the country! LOL!

[Joey Liberal]

50. Very smart move by Reid n/t

[neuvocat]

51. And how are they going to pay for it?

Will the estate tax be brought back or will the wealthy have a tax increase?

[cornermouse]

52. How are they going to pay for it indeed.

If they don't make this dependent upon restoring the tax rates for the wealthy, they shouldn't do it. We have bills to pay before we start giving out tax cuts. Anything else is irresponsible.

[Arugula Latte]

55. Oh, the Republicans don't worry about those little details ...

Why should we?

:sarcasm:

[Imagevision]

54. It figures you would only get this news from the net...

[cassiepriam]

60. And how are we going to pay for the $2 trillion war? nt

[kath]

63. I wish they would extend the child tax credit through age 18.

As it is now, the year your child turns 16 is the last year you can claim the $1000 child tax credit.

[Imagevision]

65. And Bush after hearing Reids statement heads off to Viet Nam...

[civildisoBDence]

68. Do you think that with the windfall the rich have enjoyed for six years

they might be willing to make some sacrifices...like the ones the working poor have been making, teachers have been making, people with student loans have been making???

Newsprism

[Name removed]

70. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[illinoisprogressive]

71. I knew about that middle class increase by the gop

I heard about it awhile back and thought how crass they were. They so wanted Paris Hilton to be secure in her billions and not have to worry her empty little head that they thought this was the most important.
But, they were not too concerned about the mother who worried how she was going to pay for the medicine her child needed for that bad cold. Or the heating oil.
Then the republicans wonder why they lost. They still think they need to veer more to the right to recapture the congress. They still think thier ideas are what America really wants and needs.
They still think the politics of hate and fear will bring them to thier senses.

[greccogirl]

73. My husband and I are both disabled.

We live on social security and my small disability pension. I already do not pay taxes on my disability payments. Local and state taxes are already deductible. We have no children in college, and we aren't teachers. How are these "cuts" going to help us? We can already deduct our medical insurance premiums and out of pocket expenses.

We do have to pay taxes on our social security, thanks to President Clinton.

[Naturyl]

90. You don't count.

It's all about "working people" now, thanks to a highly successful right-wing effort to redefine "deserving" as "employed."

Sorry, today's DLC-led left has no time for you. They have pandered too much to to the conservative American "no work, no food" movement.

[MadHound]

75. Hey Harry, what about that 9 trillion dollar gorilla in the room?

Yeah, a tax cut for all would be nice, but don't you think it would be wiser to discuess such things when our books were balanced, and when we weren't staring down an massive economic crisis? Sorry Harry, this pandering to 'Pugs and upsetting stereotypes and all is nice, but frankly it is economically unsound.

I would rather that you start forcing the rich to pay their fair share, stop the hemmorage of red ink brought about by this war, stabilize our economy and eliminate our debt before we start talking middle class tax cuts. We didn't elect Dems to give out perks to their constituents, we elected them to bring some sound fiscal policy back to government. About time that you started following through on that promise Harry, rather than promising us more debt and economic instability.

[heinz]

78. Its the economy stupid...

Interesting discussion taking place here, not the usual "hate the rich" type of economic discussion that I hear so much from the Democrats of the past. I think this recent victory for us taught us a good lesson about what people want out of government in the U.S. and we should keep our ears to the ground and be careful not to squander this victory. Let me first say that we need to have a new definition of what we consider the poor. This is our issue that has helped define our party and is what uniquely sets us apart from the Republicans. Its not going to be enough to say we're for the very poor or the working class. Although there are plenty of very poor people in the U.S. they only make up a small proportion of people who I actually consider poor, whom I call the "working poor". In other words, I have friends who live a typical middle class suburban life , not much different from my own, but thanks to predatory lending by big multinationals such as Bank of America are up to their eyeballs in debt, and if anything was to happen to the bread winner, well they would be out on their ass, and just as worse off as the very poor in our society, if not even worse because they still have all that debt. If you really think about it, these people are slaves, slaves to corporations and high interest rates that they just never seem to be able to pay off and are in some kind of debt slavery for the rest of their life. Lets make one thing clear though, the Republicans pursue these people vigorously by painting a very rosy picture of their situation as if this is what the "American Dream" is all about. We need to tell these people that this isn't the "American Dream", this is the "American Nightmare" and in no uncertain terms they are slaves, slaves to greed and chained to their small parcel of property. Its these people I believe we need to win over to our side, and we have to make it clear that they are noble people for working hard for what they have but to truly live the "American Dream" they must be free of debt, like the very rich. My point is, we have been saying this all along but we have been saying it wrong. Its not enough to just get up and say look at the rich, look at all the stuff they have and how they stole if from you, its too negative in my opinion and it turns people off. Most Americans I believe like a hopeful message and they get that more from the Republicans lately than from us and this is what has turned them into Republicans. This is why it is very important that Reid succeeds in what he's saying. Its important that we give the "working poor" the tools to get out of debt and start living the real "American Dream". We did this in the early part of last century and we can do it now. If we give people the tools to become wealthy themselves we will have turned them into Democrats for life. This should be our top priority because if we get up their and start the same ol' shit we did in the early 90's, come next election cycle we are doomed!

[Dr Fate]

87. I love framing this as "middle calss", but I just want a plain old tax cut like the rich get.

Most of this stuff does not apply to me- I would prefer that my taxes for my bracket be lowered across the board - at the expense of corporations and the top 1% who end up with all my money I spend anyway.

I like the framing and the direction, but I would rather the taxes in my bracket be cut- I am out of school, I'm not a teacher and I dont own a business- so not a lot for me here.