The amazing thing is that Democrats and the White House are saying what you propose, and Republicans are breeziling arguing WHY THE RICH SHOULD NOT PAY!
But you, an informed liberal, are being denied this truth, as corporate censors keep you blind! You blame the Democrats and President Obama for not taking an action that you propose demanding answers from Republicans, when the very same talking points and questions you propose are being said! Yet, the corporate media is keeping you from this truth.
First, for example, TODAY the White House said ALMOST EXACTLY what you said:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/06/27/press-briefing-press-secretary-jay-carney-6272011
Because we have a choice here. For example, on the issue of revenues, do we perpetuate a system that allows for subsidies in revenues for oil and gas, for example, or owners of corporate private jets, and then call for cuts in things like food safety or weather services -- things that the federal government really does need to do on behalf of American citizens -- or do we look at everything and we take a balanced approach.
We obviously believe a balanced approach is the right approach, and we’re not alone here. It’s important to remember there are a number of proposals out there in this time period that have been made. The only one that doesn’t take a balance approach has been the House Republican proposal.
So-called Gang of Six -- balanced approach. Simpson-Bowles, Rivlin-Domenici -- all of these recognize that the only way to achieve significant deficit reduction and to deal with some of the issues that drive our long-term debt is to take a balanced approach, one that doesn’t put all the burden on certain segments of society, on the middle class, or on seniors; that calls for cuts in non-defense discretionary spending and in defense spending; that looks at savings from entitlements, but also savings from the tax code.
It’s the only way to get it done if you want to do it right and you want to do it in a way that is fair and balanced and ensures that the economy continues to grow and continues to create jobs.
With that, I will take your questions.
Ben. Welcome back. Congratulations.
Q Thank you very much. Let me start on that point you were just making -- “It’s the only way to get it done.” So is it fair to say that this issue of a balanced approach, including increased tax revenue savings, tax increases, however you want to frame that, that’s a red line for the White House? That will be part of the deal from your perspective?
MR. CARNEY: Well, to get a significant deal, to get significant deficit reduction, there has to be a balanced approach. And let’s be clear what we’re talking about when we’re talking about the revenue that’s on the table. We’re not talking about the issue that the President has put forward in his framework, and that is the Bush tax cuts and tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans. This is about subsidies for oil and gas companies -- $40 billion; a loophole that allows for the owners of private corporate jets to benefit enormously in the billions compared to, say, Delta or American Airlines; and other measures that benefit millionaires and billionaires or in some way complicate our tax code that isn’t helpful. And we have to -- we have to be willing -- that has to be on the table.
Second, as you also requested, here are the Republicans trying to explain why the rich such as oil companies should not pay? Well, here you go...
http://thinkprogress.org/green/2011/06/26/254359/kyl-defends-taxpayer-subsidies-for-richest-oil-companies/
Kyl Defends Taxpayer Subsidies For Richest Oil Companies
Appearing on Fox News Sunday with Chris Wallace, Sen. Jon Kyl (R-AZ) argued that budget talks should not include the reduction of oil and gas subsidies. Kyl, who abandoned budget negotiations with the White House this week, claimed that eliminating $2 billion in annual subsidies for the richest oil companies — instead of slashing programs that feed the poor and protect the middle class — would “hurt the American consumer”:
"First of all, if you want gas prices to rise and pay more than $4 at the pump, go ahead and do this. That is not what we should be about right now. That kind of tax increase is going to flow right to the consumer. Everybody knows that. Secondly, you are picking out one industry in the United States, an industry that employs almost 10 million people, represents 7.5% of the Gross Domestic Product. You’re saying to them you are not going to get the same tax treatment that all other manufacturing corporations get in the United States. So we’re going to punish you, because you make a lot of money. It’s also true with those big profits, they have enormous costs of investment. Of course, you covered the issue of how much it costs to put one of those platforms out in the middle of Gulf of Mexico. Billions of dollars. Big money all the way around. You’ll hurt the American consumer if you impose more taxes on them.
So, CONGRATULATIONS, you got what you asked for. But, are you hearing this on the corporate media tonight? No. Of course, we have all been condition to blame the Democrats and Give Republicans a free pass, because god forbid that we accept the truth that we are being lied to by the television news media. If we don't see it on TV, we assume that Democrats are not saying it. We have been conditioned to give Republicans and corporate America and its news media a free pass, and blame the Democrats even when they do exactly what we propose that they do.