Freshman Dems oppose Pelosi’s tax increase to finance healthcare overhaul

[babylonsister]

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/freshman-dems-oppose-pelosis-tax-increase-2009-07-17.html

Freshman Dems oppose Pelosi’s tax increase
By Mike Soraghan
Posted: 07/17/09 02:23 PM


Twenty-one freshman Democratic House members have signed a letter opposing their leadership's plan to raise taxes to finance a healthcare overhaul.

Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo.) circulated the letter, saying that the income surtax on the wealthy would place an undue burden on small businesses, some of which pay taxes in the same way as an individual. The letter had 22 signers, all freshmen except for Rep. Paul Hodes (D-N.H.), who is in his second term.

“Especially in a recession, we need to make sure not to kill the goose that will lay the golden eggs of our recovery,” the letter said. “We are concerned that this will discourage entrepreneurial activity.”

Polis voted against the plan at the Education and Labor Committee markup Friday as a protest against the tax. But the letter itself did not threaten that its signers would vote against the bill. Instead, it asks for a different source of money to be found, and says more cost savings should be found so that less money is needed.

Freshman members, who are worried about the taxes and other controversial aspects of the bill, have had two meetings with leadership in recent days. On Friday, they went to the White House for a meeting with President Obama .

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has backed down slightly on the tax, saying it could be lowered if more cost savings could be found in the system. But she has said there will be some sort of tax on high-earners.

[valerief]

1. Yeah, all those really rich people may have to alter their lifestyles, like *not* buy that

antique armoire or something. I guess it's worth letting the less fortunate DIE.

[asjr]

2. Each of those Democratic "freshmen" should

be asked how many people would they allow to die because no one cared.

[DJ13]

3. Even our freshmen Dems are believers in the GOP anti tax BS?

Were screwed at this rate.

[babylonsister]

4. Yep, seems they swallowed the gop line. Sigh. nt

[RaleighNCDUer]

5. IOW,

Freshmen dems have their first direct experience with healthcare insurance industry lobbyists.

Freshmen members, who are worried about their first re-election campaigns, have had repeated meetings with lobbyists from the healthcare insurance and pharmaceutical industries. Of Friday, they went to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and told her to fuck off.

[Jakes Progress]

6. Is this an example of the fresh blood the party needs?

We complain about the old timers who sell out. Now we go out and recruit and finance and elect these bozos.

[predfan]

7. Hey guys, I'm a small businessman, and I'd turn a backflip for government healthcare.

These guys have bought into the NFIB crap.........they need to walk around some of the small businesses in their districts and ask the owners about their health care costs.

God I wish I made a quarter mil, I'd gladly pay a surcharge.