If Obama can separate the tax cuts into two parts

[Nancy Waterman]

It would be a tactical win, though at the steep price of a year extension of the ones for the rich. Making the
middle class ones permanent effectively leaves the other ones by themselves which will be impossible for the GOP
to successfully push later.

[kentuck]

1. We really can't afford either taxcut.

Up to 250K limit. We need those revenues. Otherwise, we have all become Republicans. Smaller government and lower taxes. Goodbye to the old Democratic Party.

[Nancy Waterman]

3. The concern is the cancellation on the middle class cuts

will push the economy into deeper recession. We can't afford them but we can't afford not to have the middle class ones either. An impossible dilemma granted to us by the ghost of George Bush.

[kentuck]

7. That sounds like a bribe...

Don't push the taxrates back to the Clinton level or we will go into a deeper recession and you will be to blame.

But, no matter what happens, you will be to blame anyway.

It is not the "ghost" of George W Bush. We are still dancing to the same tune. Somebody has to have the courage to break the bonds. It cannot be done by handling it to the Senate and the House to work out a compromise. This is a decision for Barack Obama alone. The ball is in his court, whether he likes it or not.

[emulatorloo]

5. Economically I think we need the middle class tax cuts. They will spend the money.

They need the money.

[grumgrum]

15. Not nearly as Efficently as Other Methods Could.

History shows that tax cuts in general are not good for the economy (even worst if given to the upper-class).
The best thing is to let them expire for all and use the money in other avenues which are far more efficient at stimulating the economy.
Most Americans received a tax-cut already but most did not know about it. This did not help boost the economy...its time we dump this mess and plan more smartly

[paulk]

17. there's not a lot of evidence that the Bush tax cuts helped

- the Bush economy sucked even with them

http://www.cbpp.org/cms/index.cfm?fa=view&id=1811

Though I suppose the argument is that we can't cut them during a recession - it will make things worse

though for a lot of people it can't get much worse, in that there is a level you can fall to where you don't make enough to pay any income taxes at all -

I would rather the whole thing were scrapped and that money used to help today's conditions, not those of 2002/2003.

[grahamhgreen]

6. I can't afford to borrow more money from China that I will have to pay back later, at interest.

[emulatorloo]

2. GOP depends on confusing people about top 2% cut: "DEMS WANT TO RAISE YOUR TAXES"

No Dems want to lower taxes for 98% of the American people.

Separating the tax cuts into two parts would prevent them from lying. As you say it will be hard for them to justify a tax cuts for the rich bill.

[eleny]

4. Which is why the republicans will stand in the way of decoupling

Maybe it would be better to let them all expire and then the Dems in the Senate can propose legislation to lower the rates for the under 250k earners. Let the republicans be against that right after the new Congress is sworn in.

[murray hill farm]

8. I agree...

eleny! Just let them lapse completely is the most sure way. Then propose the new legislation as you say. It makes the most sense all around.

[eleny]

19. I think the Republicans are making it sound worse than it would be

Once they got them reinstated for our income levels we could adjust our exemptions to smooth things out for the rest of the year.

I don't think it would take them too long after the swearing in. The clamor at their doorsteps would be a real tuneup for them. It would make those paid provocateur teabaggers at the town halls look like a knitting circle. :D

[denverbill]

9. Exactly. And that's why Democrats decided NOT to vote on it before the election.

Even though it would have been a great rallying point.

Democrats could have proposed extending a middle class cut only, and Republicans would have to filibuster the middle class tax cuts. Explain THAT during an election.

Instead, Democrats postponed it to allow blue dogs to extend the tax cuts for the elites. Then they package it together and force liberals to filibuster it, which they will not do, since now THEY will be painted as filibustering middle class tax cuts.

Personally, I'd prefer them all to expire. I got by before. I'll get by after.

[eleny]

18. "I got by before. I'll get by after."

As I was reading your reply I recalled the Clinton years when our taxes went up. We got by, too.

If they let them expire it might just be for a few months. If/when they got reinstated for us then it's easy enough to adjust what's taken out of our income to even things out. You can change the exemptions any time during the year.

Btw, hi from Lakewood (near Crown Hill Lake)! :hi:

[denverbill]

20. I live in Brighton now, but I've lived in Lakewood (near Sloan's Lake),

as well as Aurora and downtown Denver.

I don't think the Clinton tax increases affected me at all. I wasn't earning enough to be impacted.

I didn't want Bush's tax cuts. I wanted to pay off the debt, all of it. And if Repubs had left things alone, we'd have our debt paid off by now, or close too it.

And they call ME a liberal:).

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

10. If the 'Pukes "compromise" it will be for a 2 year extension so that they can use it

against him in 2012. It's time to draw a fucking line in the sand. let them expire then propose new ones and let the 'Pukes block them. let them explain that shit.

[Nancy Waterman]

11. They will also blame him for the increase in the deficit

from keeping any cuts they insisted on!! They never fight fair.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

12. Democrats never learn. It's time to kick these motherfuckers in the balls. Let them

explain their actions for a change.

[kentuck]

13. Bingo!

And they will use this as the primary issue against Obama - he failed to cut the deficit. And the taxcuts is a gift sitting right in front of him and he is too scared to pick it up.

[Clio the Leo]

14. Which is why the GOP wont go for it...

..... it's a good idea though.

[grumgrum]

16. Split into 2 and Get it down during Lame Duck Session...

otherwise it ends up being a lose-lose situation for democrats.
History shows thata democrats wont do this. They will likely extend all tax cuts for 2 years which is pretty much the worst choice since it will be an election issue in '12 and potentially open for being permanent