All tax cuts expire and lame duck Congress ends with no accomplishments or ... this?

[jefferson_dem]

In American politics and policy-making, there are always trade-offs. Which option do you prefer?

OPTION A: All tax cuts (including those for the rich and the middle class) expire and no substantial accomplishments for rest of lame duck Congress.

OPTION B: All tax cuts (including those for the rich and the middle class) extended for either one or two years PLUS an extension of unemployment insurance for those out of work, a new START Treaty, and the possibility of passing the Dream Act and/or repealing DADT.

[rainy]

1. C: all tax cuts are extended except for the remaining income

above &250,000. plus all the rest in option B. I'm tired of caving in to the right. Why do we need their votes? Arn't we still in control. Make it happen Dems.

[jefferson_dem]

2. We would all love that to be an option.

But with the fucking obstructionist terrorist negotiators ... er Repuglicans ... it's not. Remember, 41 votes is all that's needed to stall shit up in the Senate. They have 42. Bastards.

[DrDan]

3. can't entirely blame the repubs when we have a less-than-stellar "leader" in the WH

[customerserviceguy]

4. I wonder what will happen when

the Repig House, and the even-more-conservative-than-it-is Senate send the President a bill to extend the Bush tax cuts for everybody for another ten years.

Will the President have the political courage to veto it, and say, "If the American people want deficit reduction, now is the time to start putting our money where our mouth is?"

[DrDan]

18. I think we know that will not happen - it will be signed

[timtom]

5. I most certainly CAN and DO entirely blame the repigs.

They will obstruct ANY action that would benefit the middle and lower class!

I despise obstructionists!

This does not address the fact, however, that the President has, indeed, shown himself to be a less-than-stellar leader.

[jefferson_dem]

8. RIght.

It's all HIS fault, even when it's not. I forgot.

Funny how some on this board are more eager to attack *Democrats* than the real political enemy.

[DrDan]

16. oh brother - that is a bit of a stretch from what I said - now isn't it

[DemocratSinceBirth]

9. B Is Really A Great Deal For Us

It shows the Republicans would sell their collective souls for "filthy lucre".

[jefferson_dem]

11. Politically, it's a no brainer.

Less than 20% of the public wants all cuts to expire. A majority prefer his position. Obama ran on the pledge that he will not raise taxes on anyone under $250k. Now is NOT the time to stake your claim on middle class tax increases. So he takes the compromise after standing for what most wanted ... and makes the Repugs look like scum. I'll take that.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

13. Repealing DADT Is A Historical Achievement

People will long remember that, long after the Bush* tax cuts expire.

START is nice and extending unemployment insurance benefits is the only humane option...

[Dr Morbius]

24. It's more than that. We absolutely need the unemployment extension.

Absolutely must have that; if we can't get it, the economy sinks backwards and there's NOTHING the GOP would rather have happen. It wouldn't matter a bit that it's their fault; the Republican party would successfully blame the President.

The President and the Democratic party has no choice. I grant it sucks. But the country is not economically strong enough to survive the financial disaster of raising taxes on the lower and middle classes coupled with five million more displaced, suffering families.

[AlinPA]

26. Agree, but why would the republicans allow DADT Repeal, New START, the DREAM Act?

I think the only deal going is unemployment extensions in exchange for tax cut extensions.

[jefferson_dem]

29. Fair question.

Signs are that there are enough votes to pass START. Lugar said as much the other day. DADT and Dream are a different story. With the clock ticking, there a strong likelihood only one will be taken up in a real way. If I had to wager, I would go with DADT moving forward.

[n2doc]

6. Once tax cuts are enacted the repubs will stall on everything else n/t

[jefferson_dem]

10. We'll see.

I predict UI and START are already done deals. The rest remains to be seen.

[bowens43]

22. Is that you Obama? nt

[jaxx]

7. B is the only sensible option.

The other cuts off the nose to spite the face and gets nobody anywhere.

[bowens43]

21. B will never happen.

Haven't you learned anything about republicans over the last 2 years?

[Frustratedlady]

12. Call their bluff. Let all the tax cuts expire.

Then, Obama should take to the air and expose them all.

The people know who is blocking progress. The Repugs take over in January, let them figure out how to get us out of debt. They claim to be so good at it.

Their main purpose is to keep the tax cuts for the wealthy. They have no interest whatsoever in the middle class, unemployed or poor. I will almost bet you they have no alternate plan to follow if Obama lets the tax cuts expire for everyone. I can just see Bronze Boner and Turkey Face running in circles...the sky is falling...we didn't get what we wanted!

I'll gladly donate my tax cut as admission charge to see what they do when everyone comes down on them.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

14. What Happens To The Jobless Whose Benefits Will Expire?

Do we let them starve?

And all the Republicans will do is wait for the next Congress to pass a bill extending tax cuts for everybody and dare the President to veto it. They win either way; they have the issue or the tax cuts for their rich friends...

[Frustratedlady]

15. This has to end. By laying them bare to the public, they will have to bend

over on the unemployment insurance.

Obama has to take a stand now, or they will eat him alive in the next two years. We can't afford for them to continue this rape of our country, and that's exactly what it is.

Maybe when Obama stops their shenanigans, the public will back him again. Boner and Turkey Face will have to stutter their way out of the embarrassment. I can't believe all Repugs will continue to follow their lead.

What Obama is doing now isn't working. You can't compromise with snakes.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

17. They Are Already Laid Bare . You Can See Them At Any Major Intersection

~

[Frustratedlady]

19. I'm talking about the Repugs. They aren't at any major intersection...

they are in their warm homes (or, those of their mistress...whatever day it is).

[DemocratSinceBirth]

23. Americans Know What They Are Like

Americans know what they are like and just gave them an additional 62 House seats, 7 Senate seats, nine governor seats, and several state legislatures.

[bowens43]

20. if you think that there is even a remote possibility that option B

would occur then your as delusional as Obama.

[AlinPA]

25. We will not get New START, DREAM Act, DADT Repeal. No way the republicans will allow that.

However we we see all tax cuts extended. No way the republicans will permit the President and Democrats to get anything done.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

27. START AND UI Extension Is A Done Deal

Don't know about the DREAM Act and DADT. I'd take B in a minute...

[AlinPA]

28. They don't have the votes for START in the new Congress; it's stopped in the lame duck according to

Kyl. If he would allow a vote, it might pass this year, but no way can they muster the votes next year.