Meanwhile, another senior Republican on Wednesday signaled a new openness to raising taxes at least for selected special interests. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (Va.) told reporters that he is now willing to consider Democratic demands to end tax breaks for corporations, hedge-fund managers and owners of corporate jets, so long as the final deal does not raise tax rates or overall federal tax collections.
If the president wants to talk loopholes, well be glad to talk loopholes, Cantor said at his weekly roundtable with reporters. Weve said all along that preferences in the code arent something that helps economic growth overall. But listen, were not for any proposal that increases taxes, and any type of discussion should be coupled with offsetting tax cuts somewhere else.
Interestingly enough, a few weeks ago I read an interview with David Stockman, of all people, who argued that the only way out of our mess is to rescind ALL of the Bush tax cuts. Its seems though like the mofo Bush knew what he was doing by cutting or eliminating income taxes at the lower end of the income scale, which makes any rescinsion of the cuts politically difficult, if not impossible.
No shit. The entire deficit comes from war spending and the Bush/Obama tax cuts. And remember, Obama was supposed in part elected on a promise to end those tax cuts, and nothing of the sort happened. In fact, the only taxes raised during his cave over the UI extension(which also would have passed no matter what) was on the poorest income bracket.
And then, he proposes a payroll tax holiday, something no president has ever done, and which the GOP hadn't even asked for. That represents the first cut to SS's funding pretty much ever. Shit, even Reagan didn't cut payroll taxes, he raised them.
Obama's tax policy is actually to the right or Reagan and Bush! He's also proposing to extend that payroll tax holiday to corporations as well now.
I think that's exactly it. The Republicans have said that he'll drive the country into unmanageable debt with his medical plans, and so he's offered them a chance to cut Medicare, knowing full well they won't erode that program because it directly affects their primary voter base. It's actually an ingenious move. The Republicans lie by saying that healthcare can't be obtained by his methods and Obama calls their bluff by giving them an unacceptable compromise. They can't accept without losing votes, and they have to be careful about how they decline to avoid looking hypocritical.
This is a political play. nothing more.
Yeah that exactly what people said before he caved on the UI extension. The ever popular "Obama is playing 11 dimensional chess like a master!"
This is nothing more than a bedtime story to make you feel like Obama is not a piece of shit, it's never come true any time I've heard this particular excuse. I don't expect it to this time either.
Sooooo..... everyone knows that the debt ceiling will be raised. No one likes it, but everyone knows that it will come to pass, pretty much no matter what is offered. The perceived cause of this increase would be Obama's programs.... except he offered them to be cut. So if Obama offers the programs to be cut, and Congress refuses, what exactly do they blame then? Even if the Republicans decide to call his bluff, he can safely make it knowing there's enough Democrats in Congress to back his play. More political smoke and mirrors.
Remember in the 2008 election when people kept criticizing Obama for not having the experience necessary to be a competent politician? He plays the game pretty well, doesn't he?
No, he's really fucking terrible, unless you look at him as a conservative, then he's doing pretty well.
Here is what has happened to my medical plan since the Affordable Health Care Act was passed in march. I had insurance on both my kids (BC/BS) individual policy - $115 per month premium for each child and $1000 ded with 80./20 ( which paid 80 percent before ded was met). In March, the ded went to $426 per child and a $2000 ded for each child which had to be met before it would pay the 80 percent). My insurance at work this year - starting this July - my premuim is $600 per month - with a $4000 ded and NO prescription coverage. The 4000 has to be met before it will pay the 80 percent and I still have to pay full price on all my meds. I am unable to get a private policy for myself due to being a diabetic, HBP. Oh, yes and my son has ADHD and his meds cost me $350 a month now since he has no insurance. To add my children to my policy it would cost $1500 for both kids and the $600 for me. I only bring home $2,100 a month clear. Thanks OBAMA for my affordable health care. I can't get my kids on medicade because I make $1.12 too much a YEAR. My gross salary a month is too much and they take so much from my check, Taxes, Retirement (30%), medicare, union dues ( mandatory), Insurance premuim.
I am a Teacher with a Masters Degree in my area and 24 years teaching experience.
Thanks again Obama and Perlosi. I would LOVE to see Obama and Perlosi live on my salary and raise a family of 4.
Don't just blame them, blame the Republicans too. Both sides sold you out to the insurance companies that wrote the bill.
Literally any other developed country in the world would get you better care for a massively smaller price tag.