What if Obama called the GOP's bluff on taxes?

[LuckyTheDog]

What if Obama announced that he plans to break his campaign promise on keeping the Bush tax cuts for the middle class unless Congress gives him a bill he likes?

What if he said that, in lieu of tax cuts for people with incomes under $250,000, he plans to ask Congress to direct the money from those tax increases to hiring teachers and police officers, extending unemployment benefits and grants to cities and states to allow then to lower taxes at those levels?

I'd back him on that. Would you?

[ZombieHorde]

1. I would, but I am not invested in being anti-Obama. nt

[gateley]

2. I would, I'd back him on just about anything other than extending

the wealthy tax cuts, but the majority of Americans probably wouldn't.

GHW Bush raised taxes after he promised he wouldn't (read my lips, no new taxes) and we survived. Don't know if that's why he lost his reelection or not, but almost all Presidents raise taxes after they get in the door and see the real situation. :shrug:

[BrklynLiberal]

5. +1

[OZark Dem]

3. I think Boner would have a field day with that.

"Raised Taxes on Everyone." How does a Congressman running for reelection ever get past that. Or a President running for reelection ?

[PeaceNikki]

7. Which perfectly demonstrates why the Bush cuts were a GOP trap .

Letting the cuts expire and sunset AS WRITTEN is not "raising taxes" it's letting cuts expire.

[Andy823]

9. Doesn't make any difference

No matter what the president does, the assholes on the right are going to use it against him, one way or another! If people know their increase in taxes are going to help those who can't find work, or are in need of health care, or to keep our town safe by making sure we have police and firemen working when we need them, I really think the majority of americans would understand that since the vast majority DON'T want to see tax cuts extended for those who have already partied like madmen and who took us to the brink of financial collapse! Sure the morons on the "crazy" right would complain but they are a minority who don't have the sense to come in out of the rain anyway, and they would never vote for a democrat no matter what, so let them grip!

[saigon68]

4. Nope------he'll CAVE IN to his Corporate Masters

[Andy823]

6. Sure would

I think most americans would be able to understand that their taxes may go up some, depending on how much they make, but if it would help keep their states and towns from going under, if it helped keep programs to help those in need like health care, unemployment senior citizens and kept schools from laying off teachers and helped keep police and firemen on the job, they would understand, I do and I think most of america would also!

Now republicans would scream bloody murder, and go on and on about how tax cuts will create jobs, though hey haven't do so in the past, they will keep trying to pain that picture. Of course no matter what the president does, republicans are going to use it against him one way or another, so I say go for it Mr. President. It will piss of the republicans but it will show the country you are serious about taking care of those who really need it, not just the rich and the big corporations!

[LuckyTheDog]

8. Right

And the Republicans will vilify Obama no matter what. So, Obama has really nothing to lose in that regard.

[Andy823]

10. Yep,

And it would go a long long way to bring back some of those who are upset with him right now! It's not easy being the president, but showing the public that he "feels their pain" and he wants to help them instead of the ones who already got bailouts, and another huge bonus this year, would go far to get the base back!

[Warren Stupidity]

11. 100%

It won't happen. But a Democratic President with the courage of his convictions would veto any tax bill that reaches his desk with a tax cut for billionaires in it. The Senate can make any fucked deal they want, Obama does not have to go along with it.

[mikehiggins]

16. He doesn't have to go along with it? He's happy to. n/t

[laughingliberal]

12. Yes, I would support that. nt

[hollowdweller]

13. WE had to give up on the public option, Seems like they should give up the rich tax cut

[immoderate]

14. Sure.

--imm

[tallahasseedem]

15. There's a better chance that Santa will come...

down my chimney (fire and all) on Christmas morning.

On a serious note, I haven't lost all hope but at some point I will. He has GOT to start standing up for us.