This Is Why Speaker Boehner Has Lost Control

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Why can’t Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) get his members to pass a plan that would save tax breaks for all incomes under $1 million? Rep. Tim Huelskamp (R-KS) explained exactly why on MSNBC’s Morning Joe.

As a “conservative,” he refuses to consider any plan that has ANY tax increases. Instead he repeats the “We don’t have a revenue problem; we have a spending problem” mantra over and over, and claims that raising taxes on millionaires would hurt small businesses.

This is like an obese man saying “I have an eating problem, not an exercising problem. Thus I will NEVER exercise.”

This is why if there’s going to be any deal to avoid the so-called “fiscal cliff,” it depends on Speaker Boehner being willing to pass a bill that attracts dozens of Democrats.

Right now the fate of our economy depends on two questions:

1. Does Speaker Boehner want a deal?
2. Is he willing to risk his job to do it?

And if you don’t think elections matter, keep in mind that Huelskamp was elected in 2010 and ran unopposed in 2012.

Also worth noting: Boehner pulled Tea Partyist Huelskamp of Kansas from Ag Committee. #axtogrind

— Dub Pool (@dubpool) December 21, 2012

Next time, Mr. Boehner, wait until after you avoid economic calamity before you start grinding axes.