Republicans Are Deeply Split Over How to Apportion New Tax Cuts

[Thom Little]

By Edmund L. Andrews
New York Times
Saturday, Nov. 26, 2005



House leaders are pushing a $63-billion tax-cutting package that would extend President Bush's tax cut on stock dividends, protect oil companies from a windfall profits tax and shield people caught using illegal tax shelters.

The Republican-controlled Senate, by contrast, has passed a bill that would cut taxes by $59 billion but ignore Mr. Bush's top priority, and that contains two other provisions that have provoked his wrath.

.......

The impact of the two bills would be wildly different. According to calculations by the Tax Policy Center, a nonpartisan research group, about 51 percent of the tax cuts in the House bill would go to the top 1 percent of income earners.

The Senate bill favors upper-income families, but not nearly as much: only about 12 percent of the benefits would go to the top 1 percent of earners.

.......

"The great middle of America is underrepresented in Congress," said Representative Jim Leach, Republican of Iowa, who is critical of the House tax bill. "The leadership will insist that a compromise be established. But what that final product is, I have no idea."



http://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/26/politics/26tax.html?adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1133011083-TDP9NZnVSH+yPl223TgpPg

[sinkingfeeling]

1. Someone should point out to Rep. Leach, that his party is the reason

'the great middle of America is underrepresented in Congress'. I would say that there are maybe a dozen GOP'ers in the House that represent middle America.

[UpInArms]

3. I received a letter from Jim Talent

that stated:

You appear to be on the left side of the political aisle and I cannot represent you.

How's that for some "representation"?

[sinkingfeeling]

4. Keep that letter, blow it up to poster size, and use it when the idiot

runs for re-election. Take it everywhere he goes...show the world that he only represents those who agree with him!

[AlecBGreen]

5. that is a GREAT idea!

run with int!

[MuseRider]

8. You can't be serious!

I thought it was bad here where they just don't listen or respond very often but to come straight out and send that to you? Oh you must keep that and use it next election. In fact, we should all get creative and think of things to do with that one.

You should post this as a thread if you have not already. I think we could do some real good with something like that.

[LibDemAlways]

10. My so-called "representative"

vile repuke Elton Gallegly is of a like mind. There was once a thread on DU detailing how he instructed his staff to throw a group of Dems who had come to discuss social security right out of his district office. He routinely gets re-elected with 65% of the vote in this repuke area and doesn't give a good goddamn about the other 35. Shameful and disgusting that Talent's office could send out that letter and, no doubt, had a good laugh over it.

[MalachiConstant]

13. sounds like an op-ed piece in the making...

[Odin2005]

15. Use that come election time.

Smear that bastard like there's no tommorow.

[Vinca]

2. By the time we oust this bunch from office the country will be toast.

There was a segment on the news yesterday about the Interstate highway system about to go belly up and not being able to pay for repairs. I immediately thought of Alaska and the "bridge to nowhere." This Congress takes our money and doles it out according to party, not according to need. Don't Republicans drive on the same lousy roads? Even rich people need good roads. And don't get me started on that illegal tax shelter shield.

[Demeter]

6. No. It's Corporate Jets and Limos and Helicopters

Courtesy of Halliburton and its subsidiaries.

[depakid]

7. "....shield people caught using illegal tax shelters."

Now there's a beauty of an idea!

Another chance for the Dems to stand up in the Senate- it's almost like the far right is just handing them the keys back to majority status- all it would take is the courage to shut down this corrupt business.

Unfortunately, courage seems to be the one thing in very short supply on our side of the aisle.

[snippy]

9. "shield people caught using illegal tax shelters" How very republican.

Democrats should start using the phrase "How very republican." I use it all the time and it is amazing how much it annoys republicans and influences independents.

[MuseRider]

11. That is a good idea.

My husband and I say that but I have not tried it out publicly. Gonna start today.

[stepnw1f]

12. Call Your Repugnant Reps

are document everything they say in response to you. We can use it against them.

[salin]

14. Nominated... folks have to get versed in this reality... it isn't "IF"

more bankrupting tax cuts... it is WHICH ONES and HOW BIG and HOW MUCH goes to the already extremely wealthy.

[Elidor]

16. Ihave this mental image of a group of fat men fighting greedily

Over a turkey carcass, while the poor look in through the windows.

I hope these rotten bastards get their comeuppance soon.