So, What Would YOU Do about the Tax Cut Dilemma?

[Yeggo]

Three issues:

An Extension for Americans Currently Receiving Unemployment Insurance
Tax Cuts for the Middle Class
A Tax Increase on the Rich

The order of importance you give to these three issues pretty much determine how you feel about the President these days.

For me, I have them ranked just like they’re listed above. I believe the most important thing we can do right now, considering the state of the economy - especially joblessness - is to extend unemployment insurance for those who just had it run out. Extending it keeps money coming in for folks who may not have a source of income without it. It’s the most progressive, liberal item on that list, which is why to me, it’s A #1, top of the heap. If we could only do one of those, it’s the one I would choose.

Barack Obama’s about to get two of the three, the two most progressive items on the list, to boot. Yet, many on the left are calling this a failure for liberalism, a conservative sellout to the progressive ideas Obama was elected (by us and us alone) to uphold.

So my question is simple - why is raising taxes on the rich more progressive than giving money to those who need it - during THE HOLIDAYS, no less? This is what I want liberals who are calling me an “Obamabot” to explain - I want you to tell me how you accomplish all three of the items listed above. Keep in mind the legislative and political reality, stay true to your liberal principles, and be specific.

I’m not trying to rabble rouse anyone - I’m just asking you to convince me.

http://conversation101.squarespace.com/

[Joanne98]

1. LET THEM EXPIRE!

[connecticut yankee]

2. Agreed

I would be willing to give up my $300 tax cut.

[MikeFoxtroters]

9. It not about you

it's about the nation. Letting those cuts expire during a major recession would be devastating.

[Winterblues]

16. The recession ended months ago.

We are not in a recession and saying so is just repeating right wing talking points..

[connecticut yankee]

21. And

going another 70 billion in debt would be even more devastating.

[Bryn]

4. Ditto!

I am willing to give up my middle class tax cuts! So let them all expire..

[MikeFoxtroters]

6. yeah

that's what we should do. Nothing bad will happen. :rofl:

[Winterblues]

17. The same bad stuff that happened during Clinton's term

:rofl: Oh that's right because of his tax policies America experienced the greatest economic expansion in history and yopu want to keep Bush*'s policies..talk about :rofl:

[gratuitous]

7. Just so

We can't afford them anymore (if we ever could, certainly not since the Republicans got us mired in two wars in far away places), it's time to start paying for this, everybody needs to pitch in, and the wealthy need to pitch in the most. Democrats were willing to maintain lower tax rates for everyone, up to $250,000 in earnings, but the Republicans insisted their wealthy friends be taken care of completely. So, nobody gets lower taxes, thanks to Republican stubbornness.

But that's such a difficult point to articulate, and would be totally impossible for the popular media to present in a coherent fashion, that it's hopeless to even put that argument forward. Now, let's all tune in and watch how cap-and-trade is the Worst Idea Ever for Everyone, as explained by major polluters.

[DJ13]

12. ..... and then push the middle class cuts through by Reconcilliation

Why is it Bush could do these things, but Obama and the Democratic Leadership in Congress cant?

[Cleita]

13. Yes.

We who still have jobs will have to pay extra taxes, however, the unemployed won't, obviously. The rich won't get away with not paying taxes. Also, the new Congress is going to have to do something about unemployment anyway as there is a movement of unemployed moving into the DC area and forming Hoovervilles. This is something the MSM is not reporting.

[DailyGrind51]

34. Yes, let them expire, only to introduce tax cuts for the under $250,000 in January!

[Deep13]

3. Let them expire, blame the R.s for being unreasonable.

Blame the R.s for every legislative failure that happens as a result.

[Luciferous]

5. Yep.

[Xenotime]

8. Let them expire.

[pnwmom]

10. The extension of unemployment benefits is much more important

than a 2 year extension of the tax cuts on the rich. But I'd also want to throw something else into the bargain -- another stimulus package.

[Deep13]

11. a minimum wage increase might do it. nt

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

14. I'm receiving unemployment benefits for now...

...it's all about principle. Let the tax cuts for the top 2% expire. I've been cut off before and had my benefits restored *retroactive.*

Are Democrats the only people unemployed?

What will it take to turn the Republican base against their leadership?

It sure ain't an extension of unemployment benefits (which will be extended, anyway).

It's a matter of principle, now.


:FIGHT GODDAMNIT!!!!!!:

[avaistheone1]

24. Let them expire! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!

Thank you.

[Yeggo]

15. All those saying "let the cuts expire"

You're willing to tell the unemployed they're not going to get an extension on their benefits because you don't want to continue tax cuts for the top 2%?

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

18. Read my post, then try again

[NYCGirl]

35. Some of us unemployed folks have gone through their

savings and severance pay. Speak for yourself.

[Toucano]

19. The tax cuts have nothing to do with unemployment extensions.

I'm willing to tell the unemployed they need to bitch at the Republican Congressional Representatives who are obstructing the extension of benefits.

[Yeggo]

20. Yes, it does

in that the only way the UI extension gets done is attached to an extension of all the tax cuts. They've been trying to extend UI as a standalone, but it keeps getting blocked. It's the only way to do it during the lame duck.

[Toucano]

32. Bullshit.

They're connected only to the extent that McConnell wants to make them connected.

I'm fed up stupid fucking Americans putting pressure on the Democrats when it's the Republicans who are causing the problems.

Want your check?

Get off your ass and do something to make it happen!
March on Washington, block the streets, surround the banks...

Unemployed is not disabled!

The extension of the Bush tax cuts is a trap.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

22. What If The Republicans Don't Care?

~

[Toucano]

33. Make them care. n/t

[larkrake]

27. Yes, the repugs are going to tank the unemployed anyway, and refuse to fund social programs too.

So we will return to one car families and grandma in the spare room.

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

23. We are being emotionally blackmailed by *our* own rhetoric

Don't cut people off at the holidays...

Honestly, is there a worse time? Actually, yes. Every other time is worse than at Christmas.

Full disclosure: I live alone, in Chicago, and my entire family lives in California. My family forgives me for being unemployed, for not being able to fly "home" for the holidays, and for not sending presents to them or my little nephews. I have friends here in Chicago who know my situation. Do they invite me to dinner every night?

No.

They invite me into their house for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner. In times like these, I just look for a little love having virtually no support system. I encourage others to set your goals higher than mine and spend time with the ones you love, even if it's just a friend because your family is a nightmare at the holidays.

[larkrake]

25. I have no problem not shopping during holidays

Let them expire and everyone spends the holidays appreciating what they have, not the toys they want

[DemocratSinceBirth]

28. How About Not Eating For The Month Of December

That's what folks whose unemployment benefits run out face...

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

31. people who have not yet lost their benefits already stopped eating?

I know you'll come back and clean that up, but you are displaying exactly what I'm trying to point out:

We are emotionally blackmailing ourselves into caving.

[asdjrocky]

26. I would do the right and obvious thing.

Which is more than I can say for the President or Congress.

[donco6]

29. First, there is no "dilemma".

That's a phony construct. We need to rebalance the tax code that's gotten completey out of whack, to the benefit of the wealthy.

Second, no one who is jobless should be paying taxes anyway.

Third, we must always be clear on those things that cannot be negotiated away, I.e., our responsibility as a nation to provide for the poor.

[Parker CA]

30. Here's how I'd approach the issue...

My priorities are UI benefits, DADT, Dream Act, middle-class tax cuts, and START. To achieve those and to get the GOP to go along with the plan, I would demand these issues be completed first. After they've been extended and voted on, I'd extend cuts to those below $1mil for three years. I'd also extend cuts for earners over $1mil for one year.

As a result of this, there wouldn't be such a heated debate during 2012 over cuts, as they would expire the following year, and the GOP would be forced to fight the tax cuts for the top 1% during 2011 and 2012 with only the benefit of the most wealthy in mind. They wouldn't be tied to those earning under $1mil.

No solution would be perfect, but my main caveat would be ensuring the other issues are addressed BEFORE the cuts are extended. Once those issues are tied up, I'd extend as outlined above and prepare a clear and strong message against the GOP and further extensions for top earners over the next couple years.