Will Obama lead or give into Dems fearful during a volatile election period re: bush's tax cuts

[boston bean]

Here we go:

Democrats may stop Bush-era tax cuts for wealthy from expiring

Democrats are considering a plan to delay tax hikes on the wealthy for two years because the economic recovery is slow and they fear getting crushed in November’s election.

It could mean a big reprieve for families earning $250,000 and above annually

President George W. Bush’s tax cuts will expire at the end of the year unless Congress acts to delay their sunset.


Some Democrats are now arguing forcefully that a delay is a win-win plan that would help the federal budget without hurting the economy.


Wealthy families would not have an incentive to cut back on spending and budget writers could assume an inflow of tax funds in future years, making five- and 10-year budget projections look less scary.

http://thehill.com/homenews/house/110251-tax-hikes-may-wait

[NYC_SKP]

1. The real question is what are WE going to do as citizens to prevent this from happening?

I'm not sure about Feinstein, but Boxer and McNerney are unlikely to support this.

If we are going to be armchair critics and not active, we deserve what we get.

I support drafting and posting a letter that can be sent, or posting links that can help us take action (I haven't seen any).

Any thoughts?

:shrug:

[boston bean]

2. uh, at first get angry about it. don't defend or deflect, as that squashes dissent.

That would be my suggestion.

[laughingliberal]

6. Let's talk about how effective 'us as citizens' have been with this administration.

For instance, when we were raising money to call out the Blue Dogs for obstructing on the public option and public support for a public option was driven up to 70%, we got called 'fucking retards' for our efforts.

When there was strong, bipartisan support in Congress for a deep audit of the Fed and most Americans were in favor of it, the WH lobbied Congress to water it down.

When most who were aware of it opposed the 'deficit commission' and the Senate defeated the bill to create it, President Obama sided with Conrad and Gregg and created it by executive order.

So, what do you suggest we, as citizens can do to sway this administration to do or not do anything? I haven't seen citizen action has had any affect on them.

[boston bean]

9. good post. The problem is we do not have the full throated dissent from all dems

because a good many of them are too busy making excuses.

[OHdem10]

3. I am going to play the Devil's Advocate here. There is economic

theory which supports the notion--Do not raise taxes
during a recession. Since job growth is only creeping
along at a snail's pace, perhaps they want to delay
the taxcut until growth picks up some steam. The key
is DELAY. A deadline should be set. They cannot leave
the delay open-ended. This is a sure fire way to make
the tax increase to wealthy permanent.

I am trying to find a middle ground. You know our Conservadems
will most likely side with the GOP. Delay beats making
the tax giveaways to wealthiest 2% permanent. Just a thought.

[JoePhilly]

4. There is a better way ...

Write a bill that maintains those tax cuts for small businesses and those making under 250k. Let the breaks for those above 250k expire as part of the plan to reduce the deficit.

Then ... force the GOP to vote AGAINST the continued tax cuts for those under 250k while defending extending tax cuts for the rich.

[Cresent City Kid]

8. That's the way to go

Every time this is debated, the rich are portrayed as the small business owner. I agree, make this distiction clear by law and make the republicans vote and run on tax cuts for the rich specifically.

[depakid]

5. I am going to play the Clinton advocate- and say that in just such a place the President did

and lo and behold!

The sky didn't fall.

Quite the opposite.

The OP asked a pertinent question- will the President lead?

We shall see.

[laughingliberal]

7. That same philosophy suggests you don't cut spending in a recession, either.

Pretty much the same crowd who want to extend the tax cuts want to cut spending. Once again, workers and middle class folks get screwed so the wealthy can continue to hoard money.

If the wealthy were investing tax increases would be a mistake. They are not. The supply side idea of giving them huge tax breaks to stimulate investment has failed miserably. If they aren't going to invest to put people back to work, which would increase revenue, then the tax cuts need to expire.

[laughingliberal]

10. A win-win?

More like win-win-lose. Win, again, for the wealthy. Win for failed Reagonomics. Lose for the rest of us, again.