Dems won't raise taxes either

[Quantum Windbag]

The reconciliation process limits debate to 20 hours and bypasses the filibuster altogether. It was instituted to ensure that minority obstruction couldn’t block important business like passing a budget or reducing the deficit.


The Senate could put raising taxes to a vote under this process, but as I said Harry Reid doesn't have the votes. You really think if he did they wouldn't have done this already? Please, there's nothing either side wouldn't do to embarass the other if they could find a way and had the necessary votes.

C'mon now you guys, you know very well that democratic senators from the farm belt voted against stopping the ethanol subsidies, as well as the repub senators did. Same for the other special interests, it's not like the dems will all vote to raise taxes or strrip tax subsidies and loopholes. What we have here is yet another example of the pot calling the kettle black, this time the dems are doing it.

Will he include himself on that list?

When they were asked a question about meeting a timetable for entitlement reform, for Social Security and Medicare, Obama said he'd like to act within two years, but certainly by the end of his term. McCain, laughing with a snort, said, "I'll answer the question.'' But he didn't offer any more specificity, only to say that he would appoint a commission to find a solution.

Obama vs. McCain: Scripted and improv: The Swamp

President-elect Barack Obama pledged yesterday to shape a new Social Security and Medicare "bargain" with the American people, saying that the nation's long-term economic recovery cannot be attained unless the government finally gets control over its most costly entitlement programs.
That discussion will begin next month, Obama said, when he convenes a "fiscal responsibility summit" before delivering his first budget to Congress. He said his administration will begin confronting the issues of entitlement reform and long-term budget deficits soon after it jump-starts job growth and the stock market.
"What we have done is kicked this can down the road. We are now at the end of the road and are not in a position to kick it any further," he said. "We have to signal seriousness in this by making sure some of the hard decisions are made under my watch, not someone else's."

Obama Pledges Reform of Social Security, Medicare Programs

Why do idiot hacks only remember things they like about people they like, and things they hate about people they hate?

 

[kwc57]

All this crap about the Repubs not willing to raise taxes, well neither are some democrats. First of all, they had 2 whole years of total control, didn't do squat. Seems to me no lib/dem has the right to squawk.

But even now the Senate dems could pass a bill to do it, a budget resolution only requires 51 votes. So why doesn't Harry Reid put it up for a vote? Simple - he ain't got the 51 votes. Some realize raising taxes now is a bad idea for the economy, many won't vote to raise tax rates even on the rich, unless they've got political cover. Some would be willing to cut tax expenditures like oil, gas, and ethanol subsidies among others, or other loopholes and tax breaks, but other senators won't go along if it's their constituents who have to pay the price. Landrieu of LA, Nelson of NE, and Begich of AK will not support stopping the oil subsidies, 13 dem senators voted to kill the ethanol subsidy, and Nelson of FL and Begich are even against a surtax on the millionaires.

Point is, it's not only the GOP that doesn't want to raise taxes. You can rant all you want about what most Americans want in one poll or another, but repubs aren't the only ones who aren't paying attention.
PS: got most of this info from an op-ed in the WSJ. No link, it's propriety.

Actually, they are. Most Americans don't want taxes to be raised. That was the deal they made with their constituents. Elect us and we pledge to not raise taxes. They got elected and they are keeping their word.

When given the choice between raising taxes or decimating SS and/or Medicare, the majority of Americans choose raising taxes. Nobody WANTS to do either, but the previous administrations have left us little choice.

Bullshit. You cut spending. Tell me what you do personally. You bring in $2000 per month, but you are spending $3000 per month on your credit card. Over a year, you have created a $12000 debt. Do you try to get another credit card to pay down your debt, go to a loan shark or bring your spending in line with you income? How is the gubmint any different that the average American when it come to sound financial practice? You make tough decisions and you cut spending.

 

[DiamondDave]

Actually, they are. Most Americans don't want taxes to be raised. That was the deal they made with their constituents. Elect us and we pledge to not raise taxes. They got elected and they are keeping their word.

When given the choice between raising taxes or decimating SS and/or Medicare, the majority of Americans choose raising taxes. Nobody WANTS to do either, but the previous administrations have left us little choice.

Bullshit. You cut spending. Tell me what you do personally. You bring in $2000 per month, but you are spending $3000 per month on your credit card. Over a year, you have created a $12000 debt. Do you try to get another credit card to pay down your debt, go to a loan shark or bring your spending in line with you income? How is the gubmint any different that the average American when it come to sound financial practice? You make tough decisions and you cut spending.

Hmmm... not to mention who was 'asked' to get Obama's phont 80% number... if 80% either don't pay federal income taxes, gain handouts as a result of the tax system, or have enough saved where taking a temp tax hit to this year's income don't hurt... of course they'll spout off about supporting tax increases.... but, IMHO, you ask those who actually pay taxes and have a real stake in the game, those people will not support tax increases

 

[ShackledNation]

50% of Americans pay over 90% of all taxes. Ask those 50% if they want to cut spending or raise taxes.

 

[LibocalypseNow]

Blaming the Taxpayers for this awful mess is just wrong. This President and the Democrats should actually be ashamed of themselves for trying to scapegoat Taxpayers. The Taxpayers haven't done anything wrong. They sent in part of their paychecks as required by Law. They had no control over how the Politicians spent the money. This $14-16 Trillion Debt Hell is all on them. We don't have a Taxpayer problem. We have a Government problem. Time for all Americans to agree on this.

 

[Kuros]

All this crap about the Repubs not willing to raise taxes, well neither are some democrats. First of all, they had 2 whole years of total control, didn't do squat. Seems to me no lib/dem has the right to squawk.

Wiseacre is ignoring Democratic proposals to raise taxes on those making over $250k/year, but nevertheless he is substantially correct.

If the Democrats were serious about tax increases, they would raise taxes on everyone, even those making $50k/year, even those making less. The bulk of the tax losses from the Bush tax cuts, as much as 85%, comes from those making less than $250k/year. Obama has defined the middle-class very broadly: as the bottom 98% of the country. That's right, according to him, if you live in the Midwest but make $200k/year, you're still middle-class.