Can we hit the Repubs harder on calling this a "tax increase"?

[Capitalocracy]

If we let the tax cuts expire, that's enacting the policy Bush signed! Putting them in place again is a NEW TAX CUT at an inappropriate time, at least for the wealthy.

And does anyone want to remind me again why the minority fascist fringe is proposing legislation and being taken seriously?

[KansDem]

1. I agree...

Bush and the GOP placed the time limit on these tax cuts.

All Obama and the Democrats have to do is simply ignore the deadline--and keep pressing that it was Bush and the GOP that restricted the time.

The media has been calling this a "tax increase" and a "repeal" of the Bush tax cuts. They are lying...

[Recursion]

2. We can try, but that one never works

What usually kills it is somebody saying in a folksy way "I may not have some big-city education, but if my taxes are higher next year than they are this year, I call that an increase".

Punting the sunset of tax breaks to the administration after you has been done for decades, and it always gets called a "tax increase", no matter which party punted and which party received.

[Capitalocracy]

3. And that man will be rich and/or a liar

Because unless the Republicans get in the way, as far as I know the current plan is to extend the tax break (in other words, give a new tax cut) to everyone except the wealthiest 2%.

I mean seriously, we're fighting over whether or not to raise taxes, when what we're really proposing (and should be getting credit for) is a tax cut. And of course if the Republicans were in power they would say they're cutting taxes. They would shout it from the rooftops.

[Jamastiene]

6. True. The reality is that Republicans only give the wealthiest

tax cuts and the burden of higher taxes is placed on the rest, the majority of Americans.

In reality, the Democratic Party should have the upper hand on the issue of taxes, but we don't frame the debate right.

Instead of pleading, and begging, and explaining we are giving tax cuts to the middle class, we should ignore that wealthiest 2% altogether and never mention them. We should just say we are cutting taxes so Americans will have more money in our pockets.

That is most of the problem right there. We mention the 2%, then explain it, and it confuses people. I don't think most people realize the finite details of the 2% vs. the other 98%. KISS...Keep It Simple, Stupid. Works every time. The less of the details we divulge the better. People don't get it. They don't want to take the time to hear math either. Just tell the public we are cutting taxes and the Republicans want to raise their taxes. Take that talking point out from under the Republicans and don't plead with a hostile media to believe us. State our case and they can take it or leave it. Let the American people just hear the phrase "tax cuts are coming your way." That would work.

The Republicans have no problem ignoring the other 98% when they give only the wealthiest tax cuts, and raise everyone else's taxes. They just repeat the "tax cuts" meme and people think they are getting tax cuts and rah, rah, rah about it.

We need to frame the debate much better than we do.

[Capitalocracy]

7. We need to get out there like Oprah

YOU get a tax cut, YOU get a tax cut, YOU get a tax cut!

[Jamastiene]

8. We could try using the sound bytes that we do send out to our advantage.

If Democrats just say "we are cutting taxes." The MSM can whine and whimper all day long and try to make an issue out of the wealthiest 2%. We can count on that. That is what they do. What we can do is only give them a sound bite of Democrats staying on message saying "we are cutting taxes." Let them play that sound bite from Democrat after Democrat after Democrat. If we stay on message and frame the debate right. The sound bite will cut through any of the MSM whining and complaining. The public will just hear the words "cutting taxes" and remember that.

[spanone]

4. the media will not allow it to be framed that way

it's much more controversial to call them tax increases than to label it george bu$h*s policies

[Capitalocracy]

9. But if the Dems say it, won't they have no choice?

I mean, won't both sides at least be represented, and won't the Republican party line be exposed as BS?

[Jamastiene]

5. Other than our infamous circular firing squads,

the next major problem the Democratic Party has is framing the debate, especially when it comes to taxes. If we were ever savvy about it, when it comes to the issue of taxes, we would point out that we are planning on giving tax cuts and stick to that message. The truth is, the Democratic Party usually gives tax cuts to the majority of Americans. The Republican Party raises taxes on the majority of Americans and calls it tax cuts. The reality is WHO is getting the tax increases and who is getting the tax cuts. Democrats usually give the most people tax cuts, not the other way around. Yet, the Republican Party message is all about tax cuts, because they stick to it and repeat it ad finitem.

If we framed the debate right, we would win on this issue time and again.