GOP's Top Tax Guy: Republicans Will Block Permanent Middle-Class Tax Cut

[Joanne98]

The Republicans' top tax guy in the House threatened in the clearest possible terms today that he and the rest of the GOP would vote to block any tax cut for the middle class during the lame duck session unless tax cuts for the wealthy are extended for the same period of time.

In a policy speech at the business-friendly Tax Council today, incoming Ways and Means Committee chairman David Camp called the Democratic plan for tax cuts -- a permanent tax cut extension for all income up to $200,000, and a temporary extension for income above that level -- "a terrible idea and a total nonstarter."

"We would be foolish to fall for it," Camp said.

Now, everybody knows what's going on here. Republicans have been clear for months that their long term goal is to make sure all of these rates are extended permanently. But that means they don't want to have a fight in two or three years in which they side with the wealthiest two percent of the country against the Democrats. That's a losing fight, and terrible politics.

But they can't really come out and say that. If you ask a Republican member about this "decoupling" idea, the most common response you'll get is that it's a recipe for future tax increases. The implication is clear -- but good luck getting a more candid explanation.

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/11/gops-top-tax-guy-republicans-will-block-permanent-middle-class-tax-cut.php?ref=fpa

[Demeter]

1. Okay, Have It YOUR Way, Dave

After all, big election in 2 years...

[Demstud]

2. Can the democrats capitalize?

It's a smart move to offer a 2 year temporary cut for the wealthy. Forces the Republicans to choose between blocking tax cuts for those that might actually need it or fighting exclusively for tax cuts for the rich in 2012, and makes democrats look like compromisers (what many in the public actually want). The question is, how effectively can the democrats communicate the Republican greed and hypocrisy to the public? That seemed to be a big problem these last couple years. People had their taxes cut and didn't know it... people were clueless about what was actually in the health care reform bill... even many of us who are fairly well educated and try to pay attention to these things weren't getting things clearly communicated to us.

[msongs]

3. gee mabye dems will grovel and crawl in the dirt to make this guy bipartisan lol nt

[zbdent]

4. I remember that, in one of his books before becoming Senator,

The Honorable Al Franken wrote that he proposed to the Republicans that they not repeal the "death tax", er, inheritance tax, just raise it to only apply to a certain high number.

When he asked if they'd approve that the inheritance taxes only apply to those who stood to inherit a million dollars (or so, going by memory here), the Repugs refused (hinting "too low"). 10 million? Nope. 100 million? Nope. A billion? Still no. Hmm ... a pattern there ...

Franken needs to get in front of the public (hmm, an "alumnus" hosting Saturday Night Live?) and ask the Republicans to move the tax increase from $250K to higher amounts, and have them answer publicly.