Meet The Republican Telling Speaker Boehner To Compromise On Taxes

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Meet The Republican Telling Speaker Boehner To Compromise On Taxes

November 28th, 2012 1:54 pm Henry Decker

In a potential sign of progress in the “fiscal cliff” negotiations, Republican congressman Tom Cole has endorsed President Barack Obama’s plan to immediately extend the Bush-era tax cuts on the first $250,000 of income — and Cole is now claiming that the deal would have enough votes to pass in the House of Representatives.

Cole, a five-term representative from Oklahoma who has served as deputy whip and chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, told Politico on Tuesday night, “I think we ought to take the 98-percent deal right now.” Although Cole stressed that he doesn’t want to raise tax rates on the top 2 percent of earners, he argued that siding with Obama would make it easier to protect those tax cuts by preventing the president from attacking the GOP for holding the country hostage to benefit the rich.

“Some people think that’s our leverage in the debate,” Cole told Politico. “It’s the Democrats’ leverage in the debate.”

When asked about Cole’s proposal, House Speaker John Boehner shot it down.

“I told Tom earlier in our conference meeting that I disagreed with him,” Boehner told reporters on Wednesday. “He’s a wonderful friend of mine and a great supporter of mine, but raising taxes on the so-called top 2 percent — half of those taxpayers are small-business owners that pay their taxes through their personal income tax filing every year. The goal here is to grow the economy and control spending. You’re not going to grow the economy if you raise tax rates on the top two [percent]. It’ll hurt small businesses; it’ll hurt our economy.”

Still, Cole seems undeterred. According to The Huffington Post, when Cole was asked if his proposal would pass the House, he replied “My opinion is yes.” He noted that “a lot” of his colleagues agree that the GOP should make an immediate tax-cut deal with the White House, although he qualified his statement by pointing out that “I’m not the chief whip. I’m just a deputy whip.”

If Cole and his colleagues are really ready to make a deal, they will have a willing partner in President Obama. During a brief speech at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, Obama reiterated that tax cuts on the first $250,000 of income should be extended immediately, warning that “It’s too important for Washington to screw this up.”

Obama made an oblique reference to Cole — and several Senate Republicans who have suggested that they would accept revenue increases — noting that “I’m glad to see, if you’ve been reading the papers lately, that more and more Republicans in Congress seem to be agreeing with this idea that we should have a balanced approach.”

“So if both parties agree we should not raise taxes on middle- class families, let’s begin our work with where we agree. The Senate’s already passed a bill that keeps income taxes from going up on middle-class families,” Obama continued. “Democrats in the House are ready to vote for that same bill today. And, if we can get a few House Republicans to agree as well, I’ll sign this bill as soon as Congress sends it my way.”

Video of Obama’s speech is below:

Photo by NCAI via Flickr.com

Tags: Barack Obama, Bush Tax Cuts, fiscal cliff, House of Representatives, john boehner, tax cuts, Tom Cole

http://www.facebook.com/dominick.vila.1 Dominick Vila

I would not be surprised if a deal is reached by mid December. Nobody wants to be blamed for the so-called fiscal cliff, and nobody wants to be accused of impacting the economic recovery, in the midst of the Holiday Season. The tax rate of the middle class and small business will not go up. The tax rate for our highest earners, and the capital gains tax rate, will go up modestly. The big question is spending reductions. I would not be surprised if the GOP focuses on reductions in discretionary spending, with some symbolic cuts in entitlements that will not affect benefits. They know that whomever cuts Social Security and/or MEDICARE will pay dearly in 2014.
http://twitter.com/KeithSullivan88 Keith Sullivan

Finally a republican that’s smart!!
AdamMos

Boehner is an idiot if he passes on this. He will be remebered for taking the country over the fiscal cliff and raising taxes on everyone to protect the rich. If anything Boehner should use this leverage to get a better outcome for him and the top 2% when it comes to the estate tax, capital gains and amt issues. What a moron! If he waits and lets us go over the cliff he will not get a deal on anything. Obama has all of the leverage on the tax issue this time.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_B6RROC4IUESHT322QS5VJVPYRM Lynda

I don’t believe that the Speaker is an idiot, but it is clear that he is not man enough to control is own caucas. He has to keep one eye open looking behind to watch what Cantor and the rest of the crazies are doing. He has a difficult job to do and unfortunately he is just not up to it. He is without doubt the least effective Speaker of the House in the last 50 years…if not more.

AdamMos

In this case he is an idiot. There are enough votes in the house to pass this and he could personally vote no (for the record). In fact they could get thier outgoing House Reps to support it so that those who are remaining will not be primaried in 2014. If they wait for the new congress they are going to be really hurting when all the rates go up. With all the tax cuts expiring and sequestration Obama will have revenue coming out if his ears and will not do entitlement reform at all because he will not need to. The deficit will be cut in half. If the republicans want a deal they will have to do it now and on our terms. Believe it or not if we go back Clinton rates for all and major cuts to defense spending- this may be the best thing for us over the long term. I am not afraid of going over the cliff at all. Neither is Obama. Cole understands this. To the victors go the spoils.

carsrus

Bull Crap u democRATS have placed US in enough debt for 10 life times! FOOLS all of you!

dellmartin

Holy smoke! You are so wrong – it’s the republicans that fought every single bill the president introduced to improve the economy. And despite the obstructionist congress, President Obama is succeeding in turning things around. Every indicator is improving. It’s just a shame that the repubs fought him so hard, which has made the recovery slower than it had to be.
AdamMos

GOP RIP.
If you want blame anyone for defict spending look at Reagan and the Bushies.
If you want to learn about how to create surplus then check out the Clinton years. More than 80% of Obamas debt was inherited from Bush with two wars not paid for, medicare part d not paid for and completely irresponsible tax cuts for the rich. He spent a trillion on stimulus which kept us out of a global depression, saved the financial services industry from self destruction and the auto industry from extinction.Come back to the conversation when your IQ gets to double digits.
neece00

So you don’t think that GWB had anything to do with the economy and the US debt?
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_KOPKDFAUQPIIRAFI3HEXNMSHLQ Ed

Like Ronald Reagan, your mind is made up. There is no point in bothering you with facts.
a80a

SIR Carsrus-do you not remember the Iraq war and the lies , bush told about weapons of mass destruction just to bring down, a country , already beaten into the ground by the senior Bush, and like a little banty rooster after 29 days declared the war over.how many more years did we stay? how many more lives were lost, how many more tax payers dollars were spent all bacause little Bush had a vendetta against the dictator,
Then before this one was finished he jumped into afghanistan on taxpayers dollars and we have been there for over ten years, can you give a estimate of lives lost.wounded warriors whose lives will never be the same again, and the billions if not trillions of dollars spent on BUSH WARS.
all this and you want to blame the deficit decline on President Obama. your head must be in the sand because you are blind to the facts or will not admit you are wrong.
foolsdance

“…living in their own bubble where nonsensical ideas circulate with no contradiction.” – That would be you car, except you will find contradiction here. Reject reality all you want, it only shows us all what an ignorant fool you are.

dellmartin

Good for Tom Cole and shame on John Boehner. His excuses make no sense so he’s either not too sharp or he’s making stuff up. The majority of American voters made it crystal clear that we support the president’s plan. Time for the reps to step up to the plate and play ball.

carsrus

Majority of DOLE takers, whiners and unemployed FOOLS! NO WE, the real PEOPLE do not want our Middle Class taxes raised. DO not want our hard earned money re-distributed! The “RICH”, all friends of Obama, will NOT have taxes raised, because they are sheltered in bonds, off shore accounts and trusts! WE, the Middle Class will pay this SHILL of a non-presidents major taxes. All he’s done in 4 “annus horribilis” is DIVIDE this Great Country! SHAME on the fools who again fell for this forked tongued, snake oil salesman LIAR!

dellmartin

You are very confused carsrus. You seem to be referring to Mitt Romney. If you don’t make more than $250K your taxes are not going up. And if you make $260K, only the amount over the $250K (ie: $10K) will be taxed at a higher rate. You are deranged for sure.

http://www.facebook.com/dominick.vila.1 Dominick Vila

Turning things around and blaming Democrats for what they are doing is classic Republican campaign strategy. Cars USA, like every good second hand car salesman, is trying to sell us a bag of goods. He shamelessly turned things around and blames Obama for what Romney, Boehner and the rest of the GOP gang is proposing. The best thing to do is ignore trolls and only debate those who have something substantive to say, even when we disagree with them.

dellmartin

You’re right on DV. I’ve read Karl Rove perfected that style of blaming your opponent of doing everything you yourself are guilty of doing. Some people (low-information) fall for it but the election proved that most have at least a basic of knowledge of who was right and who was wrong.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Michael-Martin/100001770188269 Michael Martin

I agree, Dominick. We really need to stop responding to these people. There’s a group of people in this country who have been brainwashed into thinking President Obama is the worst person in the history of humanity and nothing he does or proposes will be good enough for them. We need to stop trying to talking intelligently to these people because it just goes in one ear, bounces around in that echo chamber where their brain should be, then comes out the other ear.

AdamMos

What are you talking about? Obama has not raised taxes on anyone yet. He has ran two campaigns on the premise that taxes will not go up on anyone making less than 250k a year. What planet have you been on? Whichever planet it is – please go back!

grandbaby1

You are very right. I often here people complaining who are only parroting what they here others say. Small business owners earning over 25k are going to be mai ly affected. The local mom and pop places are not. If you earn over 25k then you should pay more than me who with my husband never earned more than 75000
http://www.facebook.com/fern.woodfork Fern Woodfork

He’s Just Another Lying Troll That Love To Come Here And Stir Up Shit Cause They Lost And They Just Don’t Get That Most Of The American People Refuse To Kiss The Rich Man’s Ass!!! We Work We Make Our Own Money And We Pay Our Fair Share Of Taxes And We Think The Rich Should Pay Their, Not Given A Break From Them, Cause Of Some Other Rich Thugs Think They Need A Break!!! If They Want A Break MOVE!!!!! Only People Dividing This Country Is The GOP/Tea Party Racist American Taliban!!!

highpckts

Where do you get your info? Read remarks below!! Get your facts straight!! Unless you are making $250,000 or above your taxes will NOT go up!! Pay attention for God’s sake!!
http://profile.yahoo.com/Y4ZDB2PEBKOYCFTDDMIFZVRU4E ANN

You really don’t know what your talking about. You say the PEOPLE,well the people spoke and voted. You must be talking about Romney,and sorry I don’t think he’s answering calls right now. Due to the fact he’s in hiding.
http://www.facebook.com/rosa.marrero.165 Rosa Marrero

You have your partys mixed up the ones that protect the RICH are the republicans, always have and always will. Money, power and keeping people uninformed with the truth, that is the republican party. The majority of
Americans have spoken, it would be wiser for the republican party to work with the president not following a document written by Mr. Norquist not to raise taxes.
Mr. Norquist is not a part of our government and when congress got elected
they signed an oath to follow the peoples will. This tells everyone that the republican party do not care about the USA and its people, they care about what Norquist says. This is very unamerican and unpatriotic, and the fools who signed this document should not be re-elected.
http://profile.yahoo.com/LFN4C5CJXBINJ3QYS7BZOVSIKA William

DIG BIG HOLE IN GROUND,GATHER FAMILY AND FRIENDS,JUMP IN AND STAY PUT
http://www.facebook.com/bill45blue Bill Hartman

did you ever think about taking your teachers to court, with your mind and the way you think, you could get them for not doing their job. you could win because you don’t know shit.
http://www.facebook.com/jerone.lee Jerone Lee

SIMPLETON YOU ARE DUMB AS THE FU-KING TEA PARTY.SO GO HAVE TEA IN HELL
http://profile.yahoo.com/ZGYX7ZNZLPF3YIFWAWS3WKFE5M RonaldS

I agree with dellmartin. Your views are skewed to the bizzare. It was the GOP who divided this country…the Grand Obstructionist Party. The new GOP’s mantra was to help Obama fail even at the cost of hurting the country. Afterall, Obama had won the first election and now the second election. That means that the majority of the country agrees with his policies which means that the losing party needs to get on with helping this country.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_KOPKDFAUQPIIRAFI3HEXNMSHLQ Ed

Put down what ever you are smoking and rewind that tape again. The ones dividing the country are McConnel, Limbaugh, Boehner, Beck and Fox “news”

a80a

amen ed .you left out hannity, ann coulter,and the trump. you are right on man.

truthhunter13

Hey carsrus, why does everyone like you always call the president “a divider” and ” a liar”?. Why don’t you just say straight up that you don’t want a person of color in the White House?.
426tt_64

Cararus, you have been watching to much FOX FalseNews, and listening to Luss Bimbo. Wake up, read, listen, and look and you will see where the evil is coming from. The real reason that the Koch-Teapublicans want to get rid/ re-do our two US Governments Contracts/Social Security & Medicare is not because they are broke, it is because the GW Bush tax/welfare for the wealthy/corporations has taken so much out of our national budget that congress raided those two contracts to help pay our bills, and it put the USA so far in debt that the KTP don’t know what to do.
http://www.facebook.com/townsendshow Sidney L. Townsend

If you had any common sense you would see that the president is leading the way to keep the tax breaks in tact for the middle class and working poor. You’ve been a bigot so long that you don’t think anymore you hillbilly
RobertCHastings

Hate to tell you, but if you intended to say “horrible years” in Latin, you really missed on the use of the plural. And, if you area Republican (doh!) why don’t you look at who has benefited from the reduced taxes on the wealthy and what the wealthy have done with their newfound wealth. The “job creators” have not contributed to making a single job,

http://www.facebook.com/fern.woodfork Fern Woodfork

All I Can Say Is Get Ready For 2014 And Let’s Get These Old Senile Farts Out Of Office And Let Them Know We Have Made Our Choice!!! NO MORE TRICKLE DOWN TAX BREAKS FOR THE WEALTHY!!!!

http://www.facebook.com/people/Carlos-Gonzalez/100003956600385 Carlos Gonzalez

The GOP will be on the unemployment line if they continue their opposing views towards President Obama’s economic agenda.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_B6RROC4IUESHT322QS5VJVPYRM Lynda

The Speaker of the House is trying to be the puppet master already. He’s already spoken out against Senator Cole’s views. The wagons are indeed forming a circle in which opposing views can’t be discussed much less believed. The GOP is indeed in a very sad state, which if history is any guide will only sink further into the abyss.

http://www.facebook.com/dominick.vila.1 Dominick Vila

I think that is all political posturing to save face. There is no way the GOP will reject President Obama’s prposal to extend the tax breaks for 98% of Americans indefinitely. If they do, that would be the end of the GOP and they know it. They will cave in on raising taxes for the wealthiest Americans, the big question is what are they going to ask for in return? I am already hearing a lot of talk about Entitlement “reform” instead of cuts from the GOP. Looks like they recognize quicksand when they step on it. There are going to be spending reductions in discretionary spending, and some adjustments in entitlements, without benefits cuts, that both sides will take credit for.

foolsdance

Have you also heard the opposition to settling the issue of extending tax cuts for under $250K? Griping that piecmeal is no way to go? They are obviously incaable of creating a comprehensive plan that covers all issues, so why not approach it – issue by issue – and get it done? It seems so simple to me. Is that why they can’t wrap their minds around it?

carsrus

TO those Republican TRAITORS HELL NO! Boehner had better have a set of cojones and tell Obstrd to jump OFF the Cliff! Can’t get any WORSE than it is now!
http://twitter.com/c11462djcurt1 curtis maxwell

thats ok to let them have the 250,000 free, but any thing over, the bush tax cuts is expired. they must lose the bush tax cuts. it is no longer a law,it do not have any power.
http://twitter.com/c11462djcurt1 curtis maxwell

and the people and businesses,who falls under the 250,000,they better give us our tax cuts.
Dol5

I doubt that the 2% contain any small business owners. They through that fact out to confuse the people.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_KOPKDFAUQPIIRAFI3HEXNMSHLQ Ed

Highpckts not withstanding, the government definition of “small busines” is any business with 500or fewer employees which is privately owned.

Justin Napolitano

Ok, but only 3% make over 250K.

sandimathi

Its good to see a representative that is focused on the good of the country first!
bcarreiro

thank you tom for some breathing room….. tell boehner extending tax cuts for middle class will help small business owners to grow and prosper(revenue) and actually be considered the top 2% all while raising taxes (rate)on the corp entities, millionares and billionares. we need to stop tax loopholes like charitable deductions not applicable for top earners who make over 250,000 a year. we can have a balanced approach its republicans fools who stand to have a win/win if we all go off the fiscal cliff and that leaves 98% back to where it all started with bush. get over yourself boehner and sign the dotted line.
http://profile.yahoo.com/Y4ZDB2PEBKOYCFTDDMIFZVRU4E ANN

I don’t understand…Boehner says raising taxs on the top 2 percent, 1/2 being small business owners. That just doesn’t seem right.

Del WS

It doesn’t seem right because it isn’t. Boehner’s figures are wrong.

http://www.facebook.com/marvin.maberry Marvin Maberry

the new Sarah Palin,only somewhat dumber,where do they come from???????????????
highpckts

Who’s the fool?? You lost to saner thinking minds!! Get over it!!
highpckts

Dol5 – correct! My definition of a small business and theirs is vastly different! I am a “small” business” owner. I do not employ over a 100 people or even half of that but we contribute just the same! The BIG corp need to have all tax loopholes, grants, subsidies etc closed and put them on a fair playing field! No more government freebies!
http://profile.yahoo.com/SDOPYQEXAFU6XM6TSMI2E3ZK7A craig

of course, boehner, tea partiers, and that idiot mcconnell will blow it again. we will end up going over the fiscal slope, so that the sequester will take place.
William Deutschlander

Unfortunately the Republicans will continue to obstruct, the Republican Cartel does not posses the inteligence to be able to GOVERN !
http://www.facebook.com/jerone.lee Jerone Lee

I HAVE CAME TO CONCLUSION THAT THE GOP WILL LET AMERICA GO OVER THE CLIF IN ORDER TO MAKE OUR CHOSEN LEADER LOOK BAD.CAN YOU SAY LUNA- TICS
montanabill

Excuse me, I must be missing something here. Wasn’t the word, ‘compromise’ used by the President. Exactly what is he bringing to the table as part of the ‘compromise’? Where is his entitlement reform proposal? What spending cuts is he offering?

If this President thinks that a ‘compromise’ is still a one way street, like he has since he took office, then I vote for fiscal cliff.

neece00

The republicans do not know what the word compromise means. Obama has asked them many times to come to the table to compromise and all they do is object and refuse to meet in the middle. I know you think that compromise is a sign of failure or a dirty word but without compromise, nothing will get done. There has to be a middle of the road.

montanabill

Let’s see if you know what compromise means.

Obama has asked for returning tax rates on the top 2% to pre-cut levels. That is pretty specific.
As his part of the compromise, he has offered…what entitlement reforms…what real spending cuts?

Perhaps you can enlighten me.

Justin Napolitano

To repeat myself: It takes two people agreeing on some mutual pain to make a compromise. Social Security and Medicare are not contributing one dime to the deficit so why should these programs be a part of deficit reduction?

http://www.facebook.com/people/Jim-Myers/100001512942781 Jim Myers

Replying to montanabill -

The Republicans seem to forget that “compromise” was a one way street when they refused to raise the debt limit without the extension of the tax cuts, (WELFARE FOR THE WEALTHY).

Once they secured those tax cuts, they refused to concede on anything the President wanted.

Thus, the gridlock for which they are famous.

montanabill

Excuse me. The debt limit was raised. Your short memory may have forgotten that it was Obama who also publicly stated that it was not the time to raise taxes.
The compromise was current tax rates remain, debt limit raised.

Gridlock has been the currency of a multi-party system. We are better off for it.

Justin Napolitano

Yes it was raised after it screwed the stock market and lowered the countries debt rating. Shall we do that again?

montanabill

The debt rating was lowered because of borrowing, not because of a debt limit.
And, yes, we should do it every time the empty heads in Washington want to borrow more money instead of doing the job they were elected to do.

Justin Napolitano

It takes two people agreeing on some mutual pain to make a compromise. Social Security and Medicare are not contributing one dime to the deficit so why should these programs be a part of deficit reduction or any discussion on deficit reduction?

montanabill

If you can do math and read reports, it should be clear to you that reform is needed. If the Republicans simply go along until the money for these programs must come from a bankrupt general fund, then you and the others who don’t see a problem will blame ‘politicians’ rather than the Democrat party. At the rate we are spending ourselves into oblivion there will be absolutely no one who will lend us the money to supplement these entitlement programs. Can you say, ‘riots’?

grandbaby1

Want to know why they want to cut my ss benifits and Medicare benifits when spouse and I combined live on less than 50k but let congressmen if they only serve 4yrs.get a lifetime pension of 140k and free health care payed for by tax payers and only work 151 days a year.

Justin Napolitano

Sorry to inform you Grandbaby1 but Congressmen pay into SS and Medicare just like everyone else and have been since 1983. They do not collect a pension after serving and must wait until they are 62 or 65+ before collecting a pension.
Please do some research before posting nonsense.

grandbaby1

I have and maybe you should do the same. The last I heard is that Congress or any federal employee does not receive the same social security as everyone else and even if they did their is a federal check like mine and should be classified as an entitlement. The american people voted and congress loss.
Pat Skinner
pskin20007@aol.com
grandbaby1

besides it is not nonsense. I never said they collected their pension at early age, I said all they have to do is serve 4 yrs and they get it for life, and that fact has been on all the news programs. It has also been on all stations that their social security is not like yours and mine. You don’t really feel it is nonsense that if they collected like you and I they would be so interested in cutting it. I doubt they get only 1400 a month as I do. And I asked why I had to work for 45yrs to get my benifits and they only serve one term. It was commented even on Fox that Allen West who lost his reelection bid after one term will get a large pension.
Pat Skinner
pskin20007@aol.com

http://profile.yahoo.com/ZGYX7ZNZLPF3YIFWAWS3WKFE5M RonaldS

Too many Repugs are in the pockets of the top 2%.As such, I believe they understand economics but can’t budge. It amy take the next mid-term election to turn things around.
http://profile.yahoo.com/JMT6C3LHLJDD4RX4NB4KY5ICAE gargray

Herman Cain had it right 999 reversed is 666 look in the bible or the holy scriptures. The repbs are done, down the tube.
http://profile.yahoo.com/JMT6C3LHLJDD4RX4NB4KY5ICAE gargray

Wake up republicans you have lost face it.
Ellis Monk

I like Obama approach, Trying to get the people making under 250.000 oo tax stay the same, And let the other Bush tax brakes expire. IGNORE BOEHNER AND HIS PEOPLES.
Cyndieaa

If lower taxes meant more job creation, after all these years, there should be more jobs than people. Clearly, it does not work. We need a balanced approach. More revenue is part of the equation.
onedonewong

No one believes that the increased ta on the top 2% will be used for debt reduction. Like everything the dems do it will be used on “new” entitlements. I’m still waiting for barak to offer up a single dollar in entitlement cuts…don’t hold your breath

Justin Napolitano

Oh bullshit onedone. Don’t you think it is time to change your tag name? Maybe you can change it to two done?
If it were up to me I would get rid of the TEMPORARY Bush tax cuts altogether.

onedonewong

Yea imagine polls that reflect badly on the messiah and Dem’s HOW DARE THEY!!!!!

PDWeedy

What if we made the limit $500,000 rather than $250. Would that be enough revenue? We still have to agree on the cut side but maybe a compromise would be to raise this tax limit. Get the Republicans in a better place so Dems have more leverage on the cutting side.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_KOPKDFAUQPIIRAFI3HEXNMSHLQ Ed

Tom Colemust not have gotten the memo. The fact that the republicans lost the election does NOT mean they will cooperate with the President. Not until their masters, Tom Delay and the Koch brothers tell them they may.
TheOldNorthChurch

Cole knows one key issue that will not be addressed by passing this right now, the debt ceiling will be reached in 5 to 6 weeks. Harry Reid has just said that he will not support any bill that doesn’t address spending cuts, tax increases and a corresponding increase in the Debt Ceiling. Looks like it just became more complicated then just extending the Bush Tax Rates.

Harry must not have talked with Barrack.
http://twitter.com/twitbeth14 Elizabeth Taylor

Hypocrite John Boehner was the first during the election that he was going to work with President Obama. Now he got his job back he is trying to be the Republican bully again talking about he disagree with Cole. Don’t worry Mr cry baby, the people will get you again!
http://profile.yahoo.com/GGHNYPK4GNCRYZLXWVZ447WHJM Plznnn

Obama is the one making this a political game when our debt & economy is in serious trouble. Why?, because taxing the top 2% of the wealthy will only get enough revenue to run this country for 8 days. 8 days!!!, Why is Obama making this such a top priority, Spending IS the problem, and he is just using this to promote class-warfare and divert atention to the real problem of Spending!

65% of Americans agree with the bi-partisan approach put forth already by Republicans to close tax loopholes, lower taxes on everybody and cut spending. By BO’s insistence on his way again and drawing a line in the sand, he knows he won’t get a deal. The American People are tired of this completely. President Obama, please just tell us where you will cut spending, we never hear anything about that, ONLY “TAX the Wealthy”.

ExPAVIC

Phase Out

Obama has the mandate, it is time for the old, old, used up GOP nearly dead party to offer up what they want.

That is how it is done with a second term POTUS or have you forgotten?
Justin Napolitano

I don’t care of it only runs the government for 8 hours. You have to start somewhere if you are going to reduce the deficit.
Entitlements are not the problem. Social Security is not contributing to the deficit and neither is Medicare. Medicaid may be but what are you going to do deny children and the poor basic health care?
Taxes must go up for the rich and possible those less rich. The military must be scaled down by at least 15% and probably more and some tax cuts must be limited. There is no other way because we are not going to grow our economy out of the huge deficit.

http://profile.yahoo.com/JQSXEIQNDPVMLG7X5TFGPT6YRA empaty1

That is also what I understood – that the Bush tax cuts were for the wealthy people and those making more than $250,000 yearly. I understood that the middle class will NOT get tax increases of those with incomes far less than 250m, plus entitlements, social security, veterans, families and children, etc. Both parties have already agreed to no increases for less fortunate. The president is only asking for a balanced approach to paying taxes – the elite have paid far less for far too many years while the lower earners have ALWAYS paid more. To balance the budget the elite must pay their fair share and they do not want to do that – they want to continue to pay 14% (Mitt) on billions of dollars, and cut off some child from welfare. That is not fair – that is all the President is trying to say.
ExPAVIC

The Real Issue

Boehner and his obstructionist buddies from the old, old, used up, nearly dead GOP are not fighting for tax cuts, but fighting for the life of their political party which is rapidly loosing its usefulness and purpose.

The last one out please close the casket lid, place roses on the lid, and call the undertaker to bury the body before it stinks any more.
wackyjacket

Small business owners who make over $250K, let’s see that’s a quarter of a million isn’t it? If they make more than that, they should pay more. I guess Boehner thinks if they are small businessmen, they should get a pass no matter how much they make?
m8lsem

It’s nice to see dawn breaking for some in the House. The notion that the coupon punching 1% doesn’t pay income tax will have to be dealt with separately, later; the notion that the coupon clippers are ‘job creators’ is total BS, but they are immune to the income tax.

The true job creators are consumers spending money. If I make widgets and Boehner et Cie. cut my income taxes, I’m happy. But I am not going to hire anyone to make more widgets until I can see that I am going to be able to sell more widgets. And when I can see that there in fact is more demand for widgets than before, I will beg, borrow, steal, or (as a last resort) sell or cash in some investment to have the money to make more widgets. Mr Boehner’s tax policy is irrelevant to me. In fact, if my marginal bracket were 91% it would make it easier for me to hire or buy supplies, as 91% of every expense would be returned to me as less taxes. The higher the taxes, the greater the stimulus to make deductible expenditures. Making those expenses gives me assets and flexibility that I could never get later for avoiding those expenses would raise my taxes by 91% of the cost of those things.

An argument could be made that the greatest possible economic stimulus for the private sector would be confiscatory income taxes up in their bracket.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Carlos-Gonzalez/100003956600385 Carlos Gonzalez

Mr. Boehner is not listening to his colleagues concerns or opinions towards siding with the Presidents economic agenda which he made known publicly. It appears that Boehners stance is not politically motivated but personal resulting in a GOP mutiny.
http://www.facebook.com/townsendshow Sidney L. Townsend

You are right Adam all the momentum has shifted in the direction of the President and his party. The best thing for the Rep. to do is ride this one out and hope to gain more seats leading to the next election so that they have a chance in the next presidental election. They can’t afford to have the same mentality they had during the elction. The white man is not the majority anymore. They have to cater to all peopleto win.
http://www.facebook.com/cbarnhisel Claresa K Barnhisel

well, tom cole has put himself out on a limb here – i know other republicans are pretty intimidated by their own party and feel that making any compromises or concessions in order to cooperate as a single bodied government is like like breaking an eleventh commandment !
http://profile.yahoo.com/UB3MLV6T3ABY35NEHHW2Q7IALE Luis Baquedo

If the republicans keep stalling for the “fiscal cliff” TO HAPPENED …..they better PREPARE FOR THE EARTHQUAKE that will SHAKE the House of Representatives in the MID-TERM ELECTIONS. Oh YES! They are coming VERY SOON>

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