House Dumbs: Get over it. You lost.

Do we have a new party of no here? I was under the impression the Dems were the group that wanted to help the unemployed keep spending money to stimulate the economy? Didn't Nancy one indicate that unemployment was good to keep people spending?

If there is now an issue with the Dems and the increase of cost to the economy, they didn't have any issues with the previous administration policies relating to the stimulus, the bail-outs and the health care bill.

Obama got caught in trap due to his misplaced priorities and mishandling of the whole issue.

Then he panics and does a deal with the Republicans - WITHOUT CHECKING WITH HIS OWN HOUSE DEM CAUCUS ? or !

Man, this guy is good.

"Then he panics and does a deal with the Republicans - WITHOUT CHECKING WITH HIS OWN HOUSE DEM CAUCUS" Yes, Obama's inexperience and incompetence is shining through all his rhetoric! He's not a leader nor presidential material. He's only interested in flying around in AF One, vacations, galas, sporting events and reading his teleprompter. He's an arrogant narcissist! God help this country!

I don't buy this crap for one second.

This is an obvious publicity stunt. Obama has ALWAYS said he COULDN'T WAIT to roll back the tax cuts for the over $250K crowd. Guaranteed he got with his Congress buddies and said "O.K., I'll do this, but you guys object so I'll LOOK like I've suddenly become more fiscally responsible".

He' s simply doing damage control for 2012, period.

No, Mike. Unemployment concession was the Republican part of the compromise. The Republicans still own refusing to fund unemployment.

Mr. Russert,

I keep reading/hearing reporters use the term "tax cuts" for higher earners. Would you consider changing your wording to "increase taxes" for higher earners? In reality, that is what this debate is really about; increasing taxes, not cutting them.

Have a great day.

This is interesting. Once again the Presient tries to do SOMETHING -- but is fought from all sides. I garee he should not have (yet again) "caved" to the Repubs. I also founf it too funy that after Obama annouced his deal which gave the Repubs what they wanted (extand tax breaks for the rich) -- the folks @ FOX "news" -- attacked him for not havng the "guts" o stand up againist them. You can ot win. Everybody wants what they want -- as long as no one gets what they want. Of course the Dems want the tax break for the real middle clas (over $250K) and extention of unempoyment -- However, it is also is clear hat the Dems are now just trying to make a "statement" to show they will not just "roll over" to the Repub... I just wish the President wouls have sttod up to the GOP from the start and gotten more things done - when he had the support of the vast majority of the American people. He let the "NO to everything" Repubs take control of the agenda. -- It is good to be willing to "deal" -- but don't give up your strength before you even start. The tax cuts for the "richest Americans"and businesses have already been in effect for a decade ...where are the jobs?

Why all the bickering??? Why can't REP & DEMO"S work together. We need to be working on getting Industry back in the United States. Until this is accomplished NO there is not going to be jobs and unemployment will continue to get higher. COME ON & GET INDUSTRIES BACK. DEMO"s & REP you need to be working on this.

It's not about the unemployment teapots, it's about the tax cuts. Across the board extension of existing Bushy business is ok if we have to pay something. The President clearly overstepped though on the estate tax cuts, the corporate tax cuts and, even the payroll tax cuts. While I don't rule out extending some of those, each should have been considered individually prior to the P's. unilateral cave-in. You don't negotiate with "Hostage Takers" by agreeing to their condition and then paying 4 times the ransom as a reward for good behavior. Also, yes we do need the jobless benefit extension, but not at just any price. Further, the President's tax package, as currently proposed, actually bumps those with incomes less than $20,000 into the next higher tax bracket due to their increased income from the payroll tax holiday. So much for protecting the poor.

Good on the Dem Caucus. Force the President to negotiate in good faith to his citizens...and by that I mean living, breathing citizens, not the newly crowned corporate citizens.

I hope we do not move along on the Obama/Republican deal. That deal is not a principled deal. Obama said that his Democratic friends are playing political games by opposing this extentension of the Bush tas rate to income above $250,000. That is an unwise move regarding the debt/deficit problem. To capitulate would be a political game. The Democrats who oppose this deal are saying that they won't play McConnell's game of chicken. Determine the proper course of action and take it. That is what Obama should have done and didn't.

Quick question -- HOW is this bill being "held hostage" by the Republicans??

At ANY time after Obama took office in JANUARY OF 2008 the Dems could have blown this through the house and senate with no problems whatsoever. There was NOTHING the Reps could have done to stop ANYTHING that the Dems wanted.

The Dems had a 60-40 FILIBUSTER proof majority in the Senate and a MASSIVE majority in the house. In FACT, they STILL have a 59-41 majority in the Senate.

What happened??? -- The Dems KNEW that the American public hated healthcare, hated bailouts, hated the "stimulus" package, hate illegal amnesty, hate losing secret ballots for unionization of businesses and HATE paying taxes, so they hemmed and hawed and stalled and waited until AFTER the November 4 elections so they could hopefully win their re-elections.

Repeat after me --- there was NOTHING that Republicans could have done to stop ANYTHING that the Dems wanted to do for the last two years.

I take that back - the Reps were allowed to use, and did use very well, minor stalling tactics which allowed THE PEOPLE TO EDUCATE THEMSELVES on the bullcrap that the Dems wanted do push through.

If the Dems believe so verily that they know what is best for America, why are they so gutless in publicly voting for their desired policies??

The Dems were only "held hostage" by an American populace that woke up to the stupidity of the assorted planks of their platformed agenda.

NOW ON TO THE SENATE.

Please contact every U.S. Senator by phone and email. We cannot allow our government to increase the U.S. deficit for this legislation.

Hearing that the president agreed to additional demands that allows corporations to deduct a full 20 years of depreciation in their first year, even if they are located in a foreign country is the straw that broke the camel's back.

We cannot allow this president to bankrupt this country. The fear mongering that led us into the unfunded wars and the unfunded TARP funds, is being used again, with the same urgency..."The sky is falling" routine has been employed once too often. This administration bears too much resemblance to the Bush administration.

This president promised to end the wars, end Bush tax cuts, end NAFTA AND THE PATRIOT ACT, and close Gitmo. Not only did he fail on all of the above, but he opposed legislation in the House of Representatives that required an audit and transparency of the Federal Reserve Bank, causing it to fail. Based on his actions, not his words, he can no longer be trusted to act in the best interest of this nation.

If he can't face the opposition and overcome it, the democratic party must do it for him. It's time to cut up the credit cards, close the vault and in doing so, we can stop enabling the undermining the U.S. economy at the expense of the middle class. We get nothing except the bill after we are repeatedly lied to by our government as they defraud the country of its wealth.

There is absolutely no benefit except extended unemployment benefits in this legislation. Congress will extend those benefits no matter what, because it is a necessity to keep this country from failing. If the country fails, both Republicans and Democrats will pay the price.

We must not allow the further fleecing of our country by our government's use of the fear mongering that lead us into this abyss.

They screwed up before so now want to blame anyone and everyone for their mistake.

Tough! Time to suck it up.

I am currently one of the long-term unemployed and my UI benefits run out in mid-february. Not extending UI benefits will mean homelessness for me and many other older, highly skilled veterans and professionals just like me and many others in similar situations. We want jobs but they just are not there. Apparently the Republicans have forgotten that they represent ALL Americans, not just the so-called rich. I, for one, will remember exactly who is holding the unemployed Americans hostage (the Republicans) for many elections to come. Folks, don't just sit here and blog about it, write your congressman now and remind them of just who they are representing.

thank you

Be it known that many millionaires are advocating for an end to the tax cut for them (for the wealthy), so let's stop playing the fools with that. Check http://www.fiscalstrength.com/

It appears that when the Dems say no to a sensible compromise bill, it's okay and they're not the party of no...

It's the opposition that's the party of no when they say no.

Yep! I get it.

What no response Fiesty??? No Kudos to Obama and the democrats? Just move along eh???

Was there a point hidden somewhere in your rant?

The only thing I read was juvenile school yard taunts sprinkled with a whole lot of anger...

Thanks for playing - we have some lovely parting gifts for you! lol

I can't believe that Congress and Obama are talking about making a deal to extend the Bush era tax cuts for everyone for two years while not extending unemployment benefits from everyone who needs them. The current proposed "compromise" is that everyone will have the benefit of two years of tax cuts. At the same time, anyone who has been ont unemployment for 99 weeks will not be covered by the proposed unemployment extension. So only some people will get their unemployment extended, and as each of those people hit the 99 week limit, they'll be dropped. How can we believe that a plan that gives tens of thousands of dollars to millionaires for 2 years but cuts off benefits for those in great need due to long term unemployment can be a morally correct thing to do?

So, if this plan goes through as it stands, I will receive my last unemployment check next week. I guess I'll have reached a point where me and my family are considered of no further concern and will be simply pitched over the cliff. In the meantime, the risk takers that made millions while causing the recession and who continue to rake in bonuses, those who caused the credit crisis that shut down my employer will go on their merry way. We bailed out Wall Street. They've made money hand over fist during the recovery and will take home millions in bonuses this year. Now they'll also run our deficit higher as they receive their tax cut extension. In the meantime, we'll watch our modest household income be cut in half yet again and will likely receive no benefit from the tax cut extension because we won't earn enough for it to matter.

Hooray for the America where all benefit goes to the most wealthy. The tycoons can send our jobs overseas, take their tax savings and invest it overseas where the return is higher and faster, and watch our industries and ingenuity die--so they have better bottom line. And when they really screw up, we'll bail them out with our hard earned dollars because they're "too big to fail". It all starts to smack of the good old days of the aristocracy and the peasants.

Well, enough ranting. If you care about any of this, you should call your senator, your rep. or the President. Personally, I say either extend the tax cuts and unemployment benefits for everyone including those who hit the 99 week limit, or don't extend the tax cuts at all and start to fix the deficit.

More clarity... If the federal governmant actually realizes any cost reduction from HCR, it is by moving the costs to the private sector through increased premiums so we can all share the cost of insuring additional 17 million (hidden tax), or what I like to call, the privatization of the entitlement system. HCR does nothing to address the cost of health care.

Tony41.You are the only one so far that makes any sense.Very Good comment.

Republican or Democrat, does not really matter in this deal. The fact is simple: the bush area tax cut were supposed to expire at the end of this year, and the benefits exetension were supposed to expire at the end of this year.

Not letting them expire will result in increasing the deficit. We had an election last month were one of the main argument was fiscal conservatism, very often embraced by both parties. What we are seeing here is the complete opposite mostly due to political posturing.

Now, from a society standpoint, we can debate wheher we can afford not to extend benefits or tax cuts, and understand the consequences of action or inaction, however, from a pure economic standpoint this decision is foolish and will, in the future, lead to tax increases as well as budget cuts. The money has to come from somewhere. If the economy recovers and starts growing again at a good clip, the consequences will be less severe, but there will be consequences nonetheless. Unfortunately, chances are we will have to get accustomed to a "European like" growth around 2% for the next few years and make some very difficult sacrifices, which we have not made since the end of WWII.

We will have to pay the dividends and interest of our overspending and our collective credit card is close to be maxed out for years.

I make a decent living, although not $250k per year, and I honestly would prefer paying a little more taxes now than a lot more later.

It appears that most republicans on these blogs are unpaid channels of the fox news' half ass facts and biased views. They all seem like toxic products from the same chiense factory. Do chinese already own these brain-dead citizens of the U.S. they soon to occupy?

there are dumb people, and then there is you. The repubs have the money, need I say more......

First off there is no concrete proof that the heath care bill will lower the deficit. A lot needs to happen perfectly for that statement to be true and it sounds like it'sgoing real smoothly, (sarcasm). So therefor, that is speculation.

There is no proof that the bank bailouts stopped any depression. Again speculation.

And tell the 10% of Americans who can't find work how many jobs were created by these failed stimulus packages. What are the census workers doing these days.

You want more money get off your lazy asses and live the American dream and stop looking for handouts.

Please change your name to ditzy red head, it's more suitable.

I guess you need to be stupid to be in politics; by preventing the Bush tax cuts from ending is just another way of saying "Hey we are not going to increase your taxes for a couple of years" Nobody is getting a tax cut no matter if you are black or white or rich or poor. Figure it out people.

Steve--- "W" was a real leader?!?!? He was such a good leader that he let the biggest attack on American soil to happen, then he let the guy who was behind it get away. Lead us into a war that we won't EVER "win". Lied to us about WMD's, lied to us about wiretapping American citizens. Tortured prisoners of war, and drove our economy into the ground. Yeah, that's a TRUE American leader.

anIndependent-2529281 - It appears that most republicans on these blogs are unpaid channels of the fox news' half ass facts and biased views. They all seem like toxic products from the same chiense factory. Do chinese already own these brain-dead citizens of the U.S. they soon to occupy?

It's informative to see how much the leftists hate FOX news. FOX covers news that the other media outlets (bought and paid for by leftists) refuse to cover.

Fox also typically has programs featuring a proponent for the conservative, and commie...uh..I mean "progressive" side arguing their perspectives. The leftists DON'T WANT people to see both sides, they want people to see only THEIR side, and they want it presented as "hard news". Anything less and it's hard to fool the masses into following the self-destructive path that the international socialists want: "multiculturalize" populations and break their unity and their will, dissolve the nations, grow government into a global totalitarian state, and force the populations into economic slavery to the governing elite. What a wonderful future.

As every article and TV commentary has said, "choose your battles wisely". Now is not the time to quibble and act like spoiled children. The house Dems should get over it and pass the bill, then move on to START, the DREAM bill and so on. They can always come back to the upper three percent and estate tax later. Right now they are wasting valuable time at the expense of many jobless folks.

By the way, I'm a Dem.

Joe in Albany: And I consider it an honor to be shut out by Faux News completely after one comment critical of their lack of journalist skills (pointed out that Ken Salazar was actually a Democrat, not a Repulican prior to being appointed Sect. of Interior and constantly mis-quoting people). They won't even let me log in...

You mean this Fox News?

The news station that runs around touting itself to be fair & balanced has been busted as being anything BUT!

Media Matters obtained internal Fox News correspondence authored by the network’s leadership, including D.C. managing editor Bill Sammon, which reveal that Fox bosses instructed their journalists not to use the term “public option” during the health care fight. Sammon wrote that Fox’s reporters should instead use “government option” and similar phrases. Polling by Frank Luntz showed that using “government option” language made the public option unpopular with the American public.

Frank (Darth Vader) Luntz strikes again!

Or the Fox News that:

News Corp., the parent company of Fox News, contributed $1 million this summer to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the business lobby that has been running an aggressive campaign in support of the Republican effort to retake Congress, a source close to the company told POLITICO.

It was the second $1 million contribution the company has made this election cycle to a GOP-aligned group. In late June it gave that amount to the Republican Governors Association.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0910/42989.html

When you've got politico questioning Fox's integrity you know something stinks!

I got to tell you... you sound more like a tool than a machine!

Honestly The dem needs to open their head and think simple. Tax-cut for the rich and the economy will grow..WHY? b/c the these big corp are budget over at least 1 mill. Cutting tax for lower economy doesn't help business to grow at all. they're just making the economy worser. Cut the tax off the rich so the rich can have money to hire employees. No tax-cut for the rich = (less money)=more lay offs. Cutting tax for the low economy doesn't solve anything. U want more jobs then cut tax for the wealthy so they can invest on their employees you GULLIBLE HUMANS!

Harley-302966

As every article and TV commentary has said, "choose your battles wisely". Now is not the time to quibble and act like spoiled children. The house Dems should get over it and pass the bill, then move on to START, the DREAM bill and so on. They can always come back to the upper three percent and estate tax later. Right now they are wasting valuable time at the expense of many jobless folks.

Agreed Harley - if these pissed off Dem's had done what the President asked and had the vote BEFORE the mid-terms we wouldn't be in this mess!

It was them who f***ed up and now they're trying to pin the blame on the President!

By the way, I'm a Dem.

Machinehead--- I take it your a repub... which means you want to extend the Bush era tax cuts... which means you support the richest of the rich paying less taxes... which will "force the population into economic slavery to the govering elite. What a wonderful future." It's not the future, it's exactly what's been happening for the last eight years. Not so wonderful is it.

How exactly is this different than what the Republicans have been doing for the last 2 years?

Lost their job through no fault of their own - NOT! Americans lost their jobs at their own fault of buying imported products. If imported products were rejected by the consumer, retailers would have to buy their inventory Made in the USA. Hench there would be jobs!

Ya' can't have it both ways!

Yesterday at Sam's I discovered the frozen Broccoli now comes from China. Come on!

Machinehead, You are right about leftists on MSNBC being bought out by the democratic side. FOX news is WITHOUT A DOUBT bought out by the republican side. Both sides report on what is pertinent to their viewpoints.

To the rest of us, with the similarities of cabinet members, lobby support, and policy (except for the policies argued about on these networks) I would say that there really is no difference when it comes to who is actually running the government. Either way, republican or democrat, we, the American people, are still not the priority of the government. All of this bickering about left and right solves no problems. "Joe the plumber" is still the last person cared about, regardless of what rhetoric these politicians and their media spew.

Congress needs to wake up & stop rebelling the president, & quit fighting taxes for everyone & extend unemployment.

Why are so many of you saying that these Democrats are voting against extending tax cuts to the middle class and unemployment benefits? The article states that they are voting against a package deal that includes extending tax cuts to the wealthy, and I don't blame them! Why would anyone agree to a "deal" like this?! If the government actually cares about the health of the economy, they should make decisions that support economic growth. The president says he does not want to raise taxes for the middle class and he does not want to take away unemployment insurance at this time, but forget about the wealthy! They are not in NEED! Either extend tax cuts and UI only for the ones who depend on it, or don't do it at all. Don't compromise with those who want to keep the rich comfortable with no regard for the big picture. I have no respect for the people pushing for tax cuts for the wealthy when we are in this economic state.

This is further evidence that the Dems are not really interested in helping real working Americans. They have not passed one law that helps working folk. This would help anyone that works and pays taxes. The Unemployment thing is helping those that worked and are victims of this economy. The banks and other business get bailouts but tax the working, fine them if they don't have insurance are the dems priorities. We all need to wake up to the fact that these people don't work for us. Why pay a million dollars to get a job that pays less than 100K.

Once again, we seem to have evidence that Feisty is a paid troll...........first response and frequent responses.........all with the same liberal bend.

You have to admit, however, that watching Democrats FIGHTING WITH DEMOCRATS is nothing new......it is, in fact, what led to that mess called Obamacare.

Of course, if the Democrats succeed in blocking the extension of the tax cuts for middle-class America because of their refusal to compromise with their own President..........well, the Democratic Party will be toast in the 2012 elections.................but Feisty will blame the Republicans.

Where's the popcorn ??

Dems are new party of "NO" They say their looking out for the little guy but deny him MORE unemployment benefits and keep the economy struggling.

put sara palin in the white house and she'll fix everything. it just needs a good cleaning out.

Everyone who cannot see this as the political game that it is, is mentally handicapped.

Republicans and Democrats BOTH AGREE on extending middle class tax cuts, why cant they vote JUST ON THAT? Have seperate votes on everything, that way they can move forward on what they agree with, and battle over that which they do not.

I dont fault republicans for drawing the line and supporting the wealthy, anymore than I fault democrats for standing on the other side of that line and supporting the working class.

But, as voters, it would be nice to see where our elected politicians stands on each individual issue.

Its not an all or nothing thing, and holding hostage the unemployed and middle class/working class is plain WRONG.

Rep/Dem, all the same! Until special interest groups are not able to grease the palms of these criminals and these criminals will only get a check from the US Government, it will never stop.

We! "We the people" need to make drastic changes, they are out of control! Look at this Wiki leaks, this is us (them). And how can we expect the rich to increase taxes on themself (they are the rich)

Who audits the US Government? Who audits secret defense spending, President cant even see what they are doing, its for those how need to know? Get real' These people are making decisions for us

Jim - "You have to admit, however, that watching Democrats FIGHTING WITH DEMOCRATS is nothing new......it is, in fact, what led to that mess called Obamacare."

Actually, its refreshing, when compared to the lock step of republicans. It implies, they all have the ability to think for themselves, rather than following the marching orders of the King Pinhead. But naturally, you wont look at it from that angle...i mean, jesus referred to his followers as SHEEP for a reason right?

"Of course, if the Democrats succeed in blocking the extension of the tax cuts for middle-class America because of their refusal to compromise with their own President..........well, the Democratic Party will be toast in the 2012 elections.................but Feisty will blame the Republicans."

Please explain to me how its the democrats blocking the middle class tax cuts? They called to the floor a vote on ONLY middle class tax cuts, which republicans said no and they also refused a vote on unemployment as well, because this is ALL ABOUT THE TOP TIER TAX CUTS. Period.

I am doing my best to refrain from calling you obvious names that conclude the level of intelligence you are working with, but im struggling because its been pretty painfully obvious where the chips are falling - if you've been paying attention and/or arent a partisan hack.

If both parties agree on the middle class tax cuts, why not just pass those...and then battle it out over the top tier, and then we'll see who's supporting what.

Dont have the balls for that? Not a shock...

Hey Nancy,

Why don't you just sign it, and look at it later? Just like the Health Care Bill, or has the wind changed direction, and this is how we do things now??

This also proves that the dems can't compromise on anything. They want it their way or the highway. Come on man the both sides made compromises on this. No one gets everything their way. Boy the next 2 years are going to be a complete stall if they can't work together.

Regardless of what happened today, there will be a compromise simply because the alternative to no action is, politically speaking, impractical and destructive to the nation's health. If the power to tax is the power to destroy as Justice Marshall claimed in McCullouch v. Maryland, then these times challenge his dictum because the power not to tax will invariably increase our national debt and place this great Republic in peril. The enemy within is a far more destructive force in the long term than any axis of evil beyond our borders. There is little to defend when the fabric of our nation, the economy stupid, is severely damaged.

We must remain vigilant without, but intensely proactive within. And in the end it is WE the People who will be the recipients of America's economic successes or failings. Wise decisions, not political posturing, is the attitudinal starting place our leaders might pursue if there is really a political spine to keep America vibrant and great!

The greedy odumbocraps are addicted to the taxpayer's money! Like with all addictions, they need to increase their dose! Thank GOD they are on their way out. The voters have finally put a stop to the addiction!

Obama is doing a smart thing. He can be seen as reaching across the aisle, while at the same time telling the Dems to get the votes together if they want a better deal.

The fact is, the conservative Dems (Blue Dogs) and others who remain in the current congress are joining Republicans to filibuster the Dem's legislation. While I don't condone Republican abuse of filibusters requiring super majority votes on everything including this issue, the Dems need to learn to be united. Otherwise, they really can't place the responsibility and blame on the president.

I hope the Dems get a better deal (i.e., real "compromise" in which Republicans actually have to give up something), like increasing the estate tax or what have you. And if the Dems can't get anything significant, than the deficits can be blamed on Republicans with no doubt.

One thing for certain, businesses will no longer be able to use the excuse of uncertainty. If they don't start hiring at decent wages, no one will care about their boohoos.

I would not term the Democratic "leadership" not getting their "grievences" out of the way, but more like getting their normal "demagoging" out of the way that gets nothing done! There is a deal on the table that the President can support, so why do the Democrats want to risk taxes going up for all Americans again? Since the Democrats have no business accumen, it does not surprise me that they can only rely on their tired old song and dance!

I hope they stick to their guns now, These tax cuts are destroying America and must end....

END THE TAX CUTS FOR EVERYONE!!!!!! AMERICA cannot afford them People....

This one is for you Fiesty:

I met a fairy today that would grant me one wish...

"I want to live forever," I said.

"Sorry" said the fairy, "I'm not allowed to grant wishes like that!"

"Fine," I said, "I want to die after the Democrats get their heads out of their asses!"

"You crafty bastard," said the fairy.

Wake up America!!! There is no difference between Dems or Repubs in Washington, period.

This divide and conquer @!$%# has to stop in Wash. The gov. has an agenda and is relentless.

The American people will continue to suffer as long as we do not recognize that washington does not care what the people want. They no longer serve the people, only themselves and special interest and they accomplish this by the illusion of separate political parties.

I'm sorry, but if someone can't get a job in 99 weeks, they need to either swallow their pride and take what is out there or take a good hard look in the mirror. The "blame others for your problems" mentality does nothing but handcuff your progress in life.

And, could someone please explain to me why anyone would advocate that the right to take a larger proportion of one man's income over another man's income simply because one man has more ability than the other? How in the world can that be considered equality? Do progressives honestly believe that all couples that make over $250K a year got where they are because of luck as opposed to hard work and sacrifice.

Sometimes it seems that Liberals have just given up; not on causes, but on life. And they want to point the blame at anyone and anything but themselves. Sure, there are some financially successful liberals, but the majority of them, they just seem to consider themselves victims. Such a shame.

Feisty, Do you even have a job?? Is your computer on 24/7 so you can be the first to SPEW

YOUR CRAP online?? It was ok when you dumb@!$%#s shoved Healthcare Reform down everyones

throte, (77% percent of americans said no!)now your mad becouse this is working against you. Your

socialist plan is not going to work as long as moderates and conservitives stick together!!

Just an idea here folks, for whatever it's worth. Why not take the un-spent stimulus money that we have borrowed, and use that to fund the unemployment problem? Why double down on the debt?

Stop the chickens**t collapsing, all of you!

I don't care if you say Obama is Jesus incarnate.

I don't care if you say Obama is a communist.

I want to be able to see what you have to say and what you think.

Moderator- PLEASE remove this feature. It serves no good purpose, and we are all adults here (ok, most of us are).

Sorry but a guy named Joe who lives in Albany should never talk about someone else being dumb and losing.

The new party of "no." Let it slide until the new congress is sworn in and it will pass.

First OBOMBA call Republicans the enemy, and now he calls Republicans "Hostage Takers" What a joke.

He and that ugly botox injected nanny goat Peelosi and the rest of his snakes are the enemy and they sure as HELL are taking this whole country HOSTAGE! These progressive socialist in the Democrat party are killing us. They have ruined the Democrat Party. They are not Democrats at all. True Dems better take their party back.

God Save this country.

Obama was wrong, wrong, wrong to make a deal behind his own party's back.

But what do you expect? He did the same thing to Hillary Clinton during the primary campaign.

Who does Obama think he is? CONGRESS makes laws.

His job is to sign them.

safecracker that is hilarious and I am a DEM.

Karen,

when are you going to take me up on my offer? I have to book a flight.

Now is not the time to hike taxes on anyone.... How about cutting some of the spending in washington...

The reality is that if the Democrats in the House block the tax cut extension for the middle class, the Republican controlled House that takes over in January will "Ride to the rescue of the middle class" and skewer the Democrats within a week of taking control.

For that reason alone, the Democrats will 'go along'.

The 'LOUD AND CLEAR" message from voters is;

1 - Extend the Bush tax cuts.

2 - Cut Federal spending.

Let's see who in Congress is listening.

Feisty Redhead:

Hows about you take the lead in impeachment proceedings?

Figure how important you could make yourself feel!

Richest 5% pay 80% of the taxes. Why do we punish teh folks that work hard, take risk, and succeed. It seem that we should want more people to do the same.

On the other hand, why do we even have a lame duck congess, over 90 of them have been fired or resigned. What right do they have to be voting, they have been replaced and no longer represent the voters of their districts. Were else but in DC can you keep your job after you have been fired.

Well sorry that's the rules. Just becuase you don't like them doesn't mean they don't have a job to finish

anyone in this country can earn over 250,000 a year that the libs have set as being rich. it just takes hard work. why should hard work cause you to pay more so some low life who wants to do nothing can keep collecting a check every month? tax rates should be slashed by even more across the board. its time that the govt learns that without the private sector creating jobs and paying all the b.s. taxes that there would be no money to dish out at all!

Golfmanj,

Ok, that sounds great to me too. So what are the major cuts are you going to make then. Defense, Medicare, Social Security, schools. The programs can't be kept at the same funding levels and slash taxes. If that would be done the budget would get even more unbalanced. . . kind of like it did in 2000....

Richest 5% pay 80% of the taxes.

I don't have a problem with that as they control about 90% of the wealth. Its not punishment, Shellback ~ its scriptural fulfillment ~ "To whom much is given, much will be required." I have never seen one in the richest 5% driven into bankruptcy or outright destitution because of the taxes they pay. Now if they were all that oppressive, there would be occasional examples.

Shellback, most of those top 5% inherited their wealth and didn't work hard.

Hard workers are the guys who you see working every day, in stores, in the fields, building your houses... those guys are working hard.

Not a bunch of @!$%#s who play with numbers that @!$%# the rest of us.

To GolfMan- Really? a low life? I was making almost 17$ an hr at my job when I was "let go" 6 MONTHS ago. I havent been called about a job more than a handful of times and I applied/sent my resume to over 50 jobs in the first month alone.

Sure, it was getting me by; but thats all it did. So after child support coming out , I was paying my bills on 250$ a week. And you're complaining? You have nerve.

Now my child will NOT have any kind of Christmas because my benefits are "exhausted" after only 6 months compared to those who had it for 2 years. Also, if my child support gets behind? I might be singing my tune in JAIL.

Go cry to someone else, you're the real low life.

golfmani, the problem is with your assumption that rich = hard working. Before I went back to college I worked as a minimum wage construction worker. If you don't think that there are a lot of poor people that work hard, try being a roofer in the deep south in summer. Spend 8 hours on a rooftop that is well over 100 degrees and then come back and tell me about how hard you work in your air conditioned office.

You and I both know that there are many people that are incredibly rich not because they worked hard but because their rich PARENTS died and left them $10,000,000 (which they then stick in the stock market and post on Newsvine bragging about how hard they work).

There are many people in this world that are poor because their natural talents are in areas that don't make a lot of money. That doesn't mean they don't work hard.

As to your question of why the rich should have to pay more taxes? That's simple. The rich use a far greater percentage of what used to be called the commons. That CEO that makes $20,000,000 a year may work hard but he also (through his company) makes VERY heavy use of roads (his 1000 employees, the trucks that deliver goods to his stores, etc, etc,etc), the court system (dealing with the multitude of lawsuits that any big company has to deal with), law enforcement (just imagine how much Wal Mart has to involve police compared to Joe Roofer), fire department, and many other aspects of society that are created by tax dollars. Contrast that with the roofer that uses the roads only to drive himself around and may well live his entire life without having to make use of the police or the court system.

The rich should pay more because they make greater USE of the things that tax dollars pay for. It's not complicated.

golf, don't you know that's the liberal way? The liberals in this country think they are Robin Hood. Take from the rich and give to the poor. A better analogy would be armed robbery.

Their mantra has been "No Tax Cuts For The Rich." They've been screaming this line since the tax cuts for everyone was implemented. That was a complete falsehood. Tax cuts were for everyone... as you can see by their changing drum beat. They want their imaginary tax cuts for the middle class to continue because they feel the middle class has more voting power than the rich. The numbers are greater. Well if the tax cuts were only for the rich, as they have proclaimed from the rooftops, how come now they want the same cuts for the middle class.

See - liberal democrats are nothing but hypocrites and liars. 99.9% of what they claim the republicans do, democrats are the originators of said claims. They have NO honor, no credibility and only really dumb, gullible and government dependant people support them.

Shellback and golfmanj, you two continue to show that you have no idea what you are talking about.

1. The rich may pay most of the absolute dollars collected in taxes but they pay less of a percentage of their real income than the 4 lowest quintiles. In other words, they do not pay their fair share.

2. It is a myth that anyone can earn over $250,000 per year by just working hard. There are 2 and 3 income earner families where each earner has 2, 3 and sometimes 4 jobs and they barely make enough, combined, to put food on the table and live in very poor living conditions. These people are working very hard and yet they are still poor. Get an education? How? It takes money and the Republican/TP Inc. party wants to reduce spending on education, grants, student loans, etc. These people can not afford the tuition and can not afford the time (the time required would lower their income and, literally, take food out of their mouths).

People like you with the I've got mine, screw you/you must not be working hard enough/just get a job (even though there are unemployed people for every single available job) attitudes are the people who vote in the Republican/TP Inc. candidates that do not care about anyone but themselves and their paymasters. You people with your sanctimonious attitudes make me sick.

BrianB - you're just an a$$.

Ike The deficit was 180 billion in 2007. It went up 10 times that in 4 yrs. Surely you do not think that medicaid claims or SS benefits have gone up that much, do you? You should be asking questions like where the hell is all that money going.

"anyone in this country can earn over 250,000 a year that the libs have set as being rich. it just takes hard work. why should hard work cause you to pay more so some low life who wants to do nothing can keep collecting a check every month? tax rates should be slashed by even more across the board. its time that the govt learns that without the private sector creating jobs and paying all the b.s. taxes that there would be no money to dish out at all!'"

Your quote, here's another one: "the rich are only tolerable as long as they are veiwed as socially beneficial."

Except they haven't been socially beneficial. The rise in the working poor, the decline in wages, the shrinking of the middle class, and the consolidation of wealth atthe top has moved in lock step. Dehumanizing the poor by calling them lazy is the great lie of this country that has allowed the funneling of money upwards. Justification for the theft of the middle and lower teirs money in the name of trickle down economics.

Tax policy is the main vehicle for wealth redistribution. You haven't had a problem with wealth redistribution while it was favoring you. Think of it as a correction.

The fact is that the wealthiest people have so many tax loopholes and tax breaks that they NEVER pay their full tax rate. How many "ordinary people" keep offshore accounts or base their businesses on foreign soil? I seriously doubt anyone commenting on here is on the Top 2% list. I just don't understand why you would stick up for them at your own expense.

The American President did what he was supposed to do in a democracy. He did not punish 2% of the population in exchange for helping 98% of the population. The fingers should be pointed at the greedy and selfish Repugnant Party who do not care about the average American. The Democrats in office are behaving as bad as the Repugnant Party.

ike2010 - Let the lame duck democrats hold compromise hostage. It just verifies that the voters from nov 2010 made the right decision in voting them out.

I just love it when democrats and liberals show the populace about how they really feel about the poor and middle calss. "you didn't re-elect me so screw you!" Yes sir, something to remember for 2012!

MGinRochester - what about supporting those that won't work? Why should my tax dollars go to some stoop sitter that lives off the government dole, welfare, food stamps, rent assistance, utility assistance, medicaid, school lunches and whatever else they can get their grimey hands on through entitlements. They don't produce anything but offspring. Many of these offspring end up in gangs, jails, prisions,etc, all because the government provides money and services to them on my dime.

Also, what about the same application of government money to illegal aliens? The rich in this country are being taken from and that money is redistributed in a SOCIALIST way.

Out of all the reasons for conservatives to speak up, socialstic programs devised by democrats are primary. And you wonder why conservatives call democrats, socialists... they have the track record.

Extending the tax cuts to everyone is fair. It is unfair to only extend them to the middle class. By not extending them to the rich promotes class warfare... which the democrats are famous for.

I think the guys laboring in the fields 60 hours a week for minimum wage are working pretty damn hard....it boggles my mind that anyone is capable of working so "hard" or so "well" that their efforts are really worth 100 or 1,000 times more. They're just lucky to get to where they are.

Why is that the historically disadvantaged support and elect Democrats but remain disadvantaged?

The tax rates should expire - personally - as a middle class American - I haven't seen the cuts affect my paycheck all that much. So, let them expire for us.

And, let's not forget that folks like Sarah Palin, Jon & Kate Plus Eight - and all these reality TV stars are making money not by hard work - but by those in the moronic public that watch these programs and read any type of writings they put out. There are plenty of millionaires who support paying more taxes...personally I'd like to see Obama grow a pair.

Matthew in Houston - Ouch, your words sting me..... NOT! You are wrong about the rich paying their fair share. In REAL dollars many of them pay in taxes what a middle class person makes in a year.

The big question is: What does that rich person have to do with you anyway? How does what he make effect you, your lifestyle or any aspect of how you live? Your bloviated remarks appear as though you are effected... I can tell you how you are effected. You are jealous. You want to find a way to punish the rich person for making superior wages to you. Even if those wages come in the form of market dividends or interest on holdings. Just because YOU don't have the capital the rich person does, you feel that your life is somehow lessened. Simply stated, you have bought into the democrat talking points of class warfare. Idiotic to say the least.

Instead of voting to bail-out the wealthiest among us with money that we don't have to spend, why not instead just give every adult citizen that is earning less than $200K a $5000 Christmas bonus??? Believe it or not, the cost of doing this would be no more than the cost of extending the Bush-era tax cuts that got us into this mess in the first place. The Republicans who enacted the Bush-era tax cuts actually voted to end them now, it was NOT the Democrats doing. He who thinks that 39% as a top tax rate is somehow unfair does not remember when the top tax rate was over 60%, back when America was a prosperous country, back when our economy was strong enough to allow for a strong middle-class. The problem as I am seeing it is that the Bush-era super-rich are unhappy having to allow the middle-class to have enough of a share of our total wealth in this country to survive, and they won't be happy until many of us are living hand-to-mouth in some huge ghetto, like many residents of third-world cities do now.

Anyone who opposes extending unemployment benefits for the long-term employed at the start of Winter ought to be forced to live homeless for a week or two somewhere where it is really cold and snowy outside, then maybe they might have a different viewpoint on the subject, especially when a lot of the long-term employed got that way because their jobs were off-shored. I still say that if a company wants to sell their products here in America, that a majority percentage of the labor that goes into making or producing that product needs to come from American workers. Saudi Arabia has such a law, why not us too??? All of us are going to have to get used to living a little more frugally, not just the vast majority of us that earn less than a mid 6-figure salary. I say no more bailouts, especially no more bailouts for the rich.

As for working hard and getting rich, I've worked an average of 55 hours per week for the 33 years since I was 21, and I have taken countless risks, many of which paid off in my favor, some of which were financially ruinous too. I have owned my own business, and lost it due to a regulatory change that cut my profits by 2/3rds, one that was voted into law by the Republican Party. Despite all of my hard work, despite all of the chances that I have taken, I have never made more than $90K in a year. At least I now have substantial retirement savings and a house that is almost paid for, though no matter how many hours that I work nor how many corners that I cut, I will never earn enough to be affected by this tax cut proposal, unless it drives our economy into hyper-inflation, which will then render my retirement savings virtually worthless, and most likely I will never be able to sell my house for what I've put into it either.

I still say no more bailouts for the wealthiest among us. You want the benefit of the American system and the American military backing you, providing you the opportunity to become wealthy, then you should darn well have to pay for it, and we should all contribute to ensure that the least fortunate among us enjoy a minimum standard of living too. There is plenty of money to go around just as long as none of us get too greedy or feel that they are entitled to more than their fair share.

How about a 15% Federal sales tax with no deductions instead of a graduated income tax, with an exception for grocery store bought food, then we would all pay the same tax rate, would doing this silence the criticism of the wealthy class?

Wayne - Excellent points! But we are not electing that many Democrats anymore and will even elect less in 2012!

Matthew in Houston - Your points are not factual! What I have seen in many, many circumstances (including my own family) is some baseless opinion that "I" cannot move to a city/state with a better opportunity for employment / higher pay.

Matthew, Houston, TX

As Brian stated above, but I'll give you numbers just in case his point was not clear. If you as a middle class worker gross $60,000.00 per year and pay 15% Federal taxes that's $9,000.00. If someone making $1,000,000.00 pays 10% they pay $100,000.00. Understand?

Why do you believe you or anyone else is entitled to something that someone else hass earned?

Matthew, Houston

Comments you made about people with a higher income paying less of a % is bull! The tax tables go up, not down. I will pay over 60K in taxes this year making over 200K, what a typical liberal you are.

@KevinT, The budget went up so much because Obama included the wartime spending in the budget instead of going to Congress every 6 months and asking for 700 billion in "emergency war funding". So lets add that up, 700 billion times 2 plus 180 billion is 1.58 trillion. Bush left office spending almost 1.6 trillion a year in deficit spending, not that much different than Obama.

If you really want to talk about deficit spending though, Bush came into office with a balanced budget and left with a 1.6 billion dollar deficit (even though he worked the system so it was only 180 billion officially.) Now who is spending the money, Dems or Reps?

Honestly I'm sick of both parties, but we should at least learn not to be tricked by their silly games.

@Shellback: The bill is regarding personal income of single people ($200,000) or families ($250,000). I think you are confusing taxes on corporations for your, even then, inflated number. There is no way that a tax on the personal income above $250,000 is going to affect the ability of businesses to hire.

BrianB and ChevsMark, thank you for proving my point. How is it that a person making $60,000 paying 15% while a person making $1,000,000 paying 10% fair? It would be fair if both were paying 15% or both were paying 10%. Not to mention that the rich pay less as a percentage of their income for payroll taxes due to the cap. Just removing the cap would totally fund SS and Medicare forever without lowering benefits or raising the eligibility age. But no, people like you think that the rich paying a lower pecentage of their income than everyone else is somehow 'fair'.

Now do you get it? I doubt it. SIASD

As for the 47% don't pay taxes canard: http://crooksandliars.com/jon-perr/debunking-47-pay-no-taxes-talking-point

Jim, the problem with your viewpoint is that you think these people were "given" what they have. No Jim, the majority of them worked very hard, made smart choices, and had the discipline and patience to see their careers reach a level where people are willing to pay them a lot of money for the skills and services they can provide. I assure you this didn't happen overnight and it was not easy. In short they EARNED it. And lets be practical here for a minute, someone making just over $250,000 is not exactly what I would call the rich elite. Those peoples are working professionals who have reached their peak earning potential after a decade or two of climbing the proverbial ladder. It's very frustrating to go through all that only to have 30-40% taken by the Federal government and that doesn't include state taxes. Jim you have or had the same chances as them to do the same; I'm sorry it didn't work out for you, but using the government to unfairly STEAL from them for the unjustified and unearned benefit of others is a sin. And I know you will understand that because you are such a Bible believing man. You know if congress was spending this money wisely on things that benefit all Americans, I wouldn't have such a problem with it, but they are not. They are spending this money to buy power here at home and around the world, and the only way to stop it is to take it away from them. And before the rest of you ask; I am in favor of cutting spending everywhere until our debt problems are under control and congress understands that we expect them to stay within a budget and prioritize their spending for things that benefit all Americans. No funding for any program or agency should be off limits while we dig ourselves so deep into debt that we will never climb out again.

Be it known that many millionaires are advocating for an end to the tax cut for them (for the wealthy), so let's stop playing the fools with that. Check http://www.fiscalstrength.com/

Brianb-999431 wrote: "MGinRochester - what about supporting those that won't work? Why should my tax dollars go to some stoop sitter that lives off the government dole, welfare, food stamps, rent assistance, utility assistance, medicaid, school lunches and whatever else they can get their grimey hands on through entitlements."

First of all, I don't believe that there are very many people out there that TRULY would rather sit around at home unemployed and living on the dole than out there working at a good job. I DO think there are a lot of people that feel so hopeless about their situation that they have given up on trying. I've known a lot of poor people in my life and I have NEVER met one that liked getting a government handout. Without exception, they feel embarassed and sad at being in such a situation. They take it because they HAVE to, not because they want to.

Secondly, how do you distinguish between those that won't work vs those that WANT to work but can't? Or those that DO work but don't make enough to get by? If someone has done his best to find a job but can't would you have him end up homeless on the streets just to make sure there aren't a few slackers out there milking the system?

If Bob can't find a job, would you want his children to be punished by going hungry? It all comes down to whether or not you want to live in a society in which Bob's 5 year old girl starves because her parents can't get a job (or maybe she hangs on until she's 15 and then ends up as a hooker). That's not the kind of America I want.

I want an America where that 5 year old girl has a CHANCE at a good life. I want an America in which that 5 year old girl is ASSURED of having healthy food to eat, a good school to go, and good health care. She might turn out to be a lazy bum that will never want to work hard or she might be a very hard worker, but that's not for the government to decide. I want that girl to have a CHANCE to give herself a good life through hard work. But that won't happen if she can't get a healthy meal, can't get decent health care, can't go to a good school (because the local government can't collect enough money in property taxes to pay for decent schools) and -- even if she DOES do well in school -- can't afford to go to college because the Tea Party folks got rid of all of the student loans and other forms of government assistance that might have given her a chance.

You also seem to be ignoring the fact that there are an awful lot of multi-millionaire "stoop sitters". Why should Bob the hard-working roofer struggle to even feed his family when Sam the millionaire sits around playing all day long with the $100,000,000 that he INHERITED when his parents died? Funny how the republicans never seem to apply that work ethic to RICH stoop sitters.

I am so tired of Obama and his bull$$$$it. He and all the other dems keep using simple math on the economy and it does not work. Everytime, without fail, that taxes are lowered or cut the income to the IRS goes up, and everytime, without fail, that taxes were raised income to the IRS went down. If you cut taxes people have more money to spend, more people are put to work making goods and providing services. I agree that the wealthy have way more tax loopholes than the average joe, but that is a faulty tax code issue. It doesn't matter, poor, middle-class, or the rich, if they have more money in their pockets to spend they will do just that thus build the economy.

Stupid is just that, believe the dems and we will all end up stupid and poor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

IndependentThinker - EXACTLY!! While I understand the need for taxes, I do NOT understand the need to take those taxes and distribute them to others. This government, mostly controlled by democrats through the past 50 years has done it's level best to buy the public (underclass) vote by giving away the treasury. That needs to stop! Kick out all the illegals and put those on government support to work.

this is where the wheels fall off for socialists/dems, they want the roofer or construction workers mentioned above to make the same as the guy who invested in the company and carries all the risk, that is the business owner. this looks great on paper, but you can see how well this worked out for the ussr, cuba, north korea and all the others.

mcgin, and now they can't leave it to their kids either. how about we start filling the gulags with anyone who makes over 50k? that way everyone is living in their govt housing and standing in line for toilet paper... ah, memories...

MGinRochester - I don't care where a person gets his money from. If he is in possession of it, it's his, unless it's ill gotten gain or stolen. If he was born into wealth, then so what? It still doesn't effect you or your lifestyle. Taxing them more is punishment... which I believe is your main motive considering your remarks.

You may have known poor people, but that does not change the fact that the government is at fault for not helping people grow out of their poverty. When people are given food, in lieu of being taught how to grow it for themselves, they will always require it as a handout. I never stated that living off the government is an easy life. Don't confuse the issues. I've known people that want the handouts without having to do anything to gain it. Many people. You don't know where I live or where I've been so your narrow view is limited to only what you have seen or heard about. I've lived in areas that were poverty riddled. I am very familiar with what goes on there, and the mindset. Can you say the same? Why do you think I fault the government for what they do? I've seen the transports on election day and all the democrat shills barking orders. 98% of all the entitled vote democrat... ever wonder why? Watch the inner city voting results on election day. Democrats own those areas.

The democrats have enabled poor people to remain poor thereby demanding their votes. It's a form of modern slavery that I pay for in the form of taxes. Of course you can't see this, nor will even care. You are too busy worrying about a rich person paying more to the government so this type of activity can continue. Complacency has a way of festering into ignorance.

FYI: (From US Gov't stats - 2008) The top 5% of taxpayers pay 59% of all Federal Income tax. The top 25% pay 86%. And, the bottom 50% pay only 2.7%.

Therefore, the top 5% of income-earners are paying 60% of the costs of all of our entitlement programs for the bottom 50%. So, how is that not paying much, much more than their fair share?

How much more do you think we should penalize hard-working and high-income earning Americans? Don't you think our already heavily progressive tax system is penalizing their hard work enough?

"The highest form of ignorance is rendering an opinion without having the facts."

Santiman, if someone wants or believes they should pay higher taxes, they sure can. One simple way is to not deduct anything on their income taxes.

Shellback-- Do some research... if Bush's tax cuts expire the top 1% of earners will only account for about 31-37% of the overall tax burden. This is the typical problem with the right wing, they lie to someone who won't research, then he goes and tells all his friends about how the dems want to take all their money. Sounds like you listen to O'Rielly and Limbaugh.

shellback-- I'll do the research for you... check out this link.

http://www.american.com/archive/2007/november-december-magazine-contents/guess-who-really-pays-the-taxes

MGinRochester - As to your question of why the rich should have to pay more taxes? That's simple. The rich use a far greater percentage of what used to be called the commons. That CEO that makes $20,000,000 a year may work hard but he also (through his company) makes VERY heavy use of roads (his 1000 employees, the trucks that deliver goods to his stores, etc, etc,etc), the court system (dealing with the multitude of lawsuits that any big company has to deal with), law enforcement (just imagine how much Wal Mart has to involve police compared to Joe Roofer), fire department, and many other aspects of society that are created by tax dollars. Contrast that with the roofer that uses the roads only to drive himself around and may well live his entire life without having to make use of the police or the court system.

You made some fair points here. However, I would add that those same wealthy individuals that use more of the commons, already pay the bulk of the tax burden to begin with. Then consider those 1000 employees you mentioned, all of whom pay their own taxes on top of that.

The end result is a massive tax revenue stream that begins with that wealthy individual. Those 1000 employees now buy homes, cars, furniture, health insurance, clothes, and save for their children's college education. Wealth is generated, not merely collected and distributed by the government.

This is the reason tax cuts grow the economy.

There's nothing to get

Matthew, Houston, TX,

You have money envy. You can't stand the fact that people out there have more money than you, so you want them to pay more. Why? When the "rich" are taxed to oblivion who will you tax then? This is the flaw in Socialist rhetoric. Sooner or later (more often sooner) they make it so the demonized few are eaten up by the many who are too lazy to better themselves.

Chevsmark

Problem. The million is not gross and 110k is after breaks if you are using 10%. List all the breaks that the person with 60k has, which is probably gross, and the breaks the 1M have. Now compare. Here in lies the real issues with our taxing system.

60k at 10% equal to the 1M rate is 6k. No deductions for anyone. Then I have no issue with the 1M getting a 10% rate.

@Irishknight: The top 1% should only pay their "fair share" of 1% of the taxes, not 37%. How is THAT fair????

i have more important things to do in life than set on my ass and and bitch about some one is richer than i you should use that effort improve yourself rather than bitching about some else a lot of you people just sound lazy to me go get a job

ChevsMark - I dont have wealth envy, in fact, I dont want wealth...I dont need it, and its not something I aspire to. However, your false notion of "taxing them into oblivion" is interesting, can you point to another time in history when the super duper wealthy have been taxed into oblivion, and the economy crumbled to pieces.

Ok, well thats ones going to be hard since it never happened, so go back in history and find the last time when our economy crumbled to pieces (before this current falling apart) and tell me what the tax rates were then, on the top tier. (here's a hint, about as low as they are now).

So, historical, it appears that your notion is false, that in fact when the rich get to keep more of their money (hey who doesnt want to, right?) rather than keeping it invested in their businesses, they tend to destroy the economy with high stakes gambling (is this sounding familiar at all?).

The sales rep I work for most definitely makes $250,000 + a year and would be affected by this, however, he's not exactly creating any jobs...he's the biggest penny pincher i've ever met. He's one of those people that'll take everything free, despite being able to pay for it, simply because "thats how you build wealth"...you dont spend what you make, you save it. To an extent he's right, but when all you do is pull from the economy and dont contribute to it, what you are really doing...is causing its destruction.

I make a mere fraction of what he does, and while I wont deny that he works harder than I do, and shoulders more responsibility for our shared work - he's not worth the gap between our wages. Nor could I ever make what he makes doing what he does, im not very good at ripping people off and grossly overcharging them, he is...but you have to care mostly, and only, about yourself to be able to do those types of things. He's pretty good at it and his family is well set, with 2 houses and a boat...

i'll be content knowing that I simply work hard, have an honest job...and I dont need to rip people off to get more than I deserve.

So, Chevsmark, you think that everyone should pay the same in absolute dollars rather than in percentage of income? Seriously? You couldn't dispute the fact that you are advocating for an unfair system so you decide to insult me.

And, no, I do not have money envy, I have a good job making plenty of money for my needs. What I also have is compassion and a sense of justice. It is not fair for someone to pay the same tax in absolute dollars as someone else who's income is lower. Dispute that, if you can but lay off the insults.

BrianC - then you sure aren't a very smart taxpayer. The table may go up but through deductions and loopholes that are available to those in the upper brackets, they actually end up pay less of a percentage than those in the lower brackets. Just ask Warren Buffet who pays less of a percentage in taxes on his income than his executive assistant because he has the means to take advantage of those loopholes and tax shelters.

Taxable income and actual income are quite often very different things. Take last years higest income earner (a hedge fund manager who made over a billion dollars) who only paid 15% in taxes because his 'income' was classified as 'capital gains'.

Having an economics discussion with you right wingers is like having a fight with an unarmed opponent. You are misinformed, illogical and always resort to insults when proven wrong.

P.S. Tax cuts do not always result in more revenue. That is a lie that Rush repeated today.

Matt,

The year my wife was bought out of her job we grossed a little bit over 250k and were taxed at almost 25%. How can you justify such rape?

I like the double standard also, as if you are not making a pathetic attempt to insult us while swallowing the dumbascrap party line and regurgitating it. Stats do not lie. look up Federal receipts during high taxes and then versus lower taxes. You will find that your assumptions based on dumbascrap lies are false and delusional.

I bet you don't worry where you next meal is coming from, or how to buy Xmas presents for your kids, or if you can send them to college. You made 250K, good for you! Share it with the country that made it possible for you to make that money. Pay your taxes. The rest of us do, at higher proportions than you do.

If I was comfortable, like you, I would not complain. I'd be grateful.

I'd have more empathy for you if you objected to where most of your tax money is going... foreign wars.

Once again, you have proven my point, Chevsmark. I make less than $250,000 a year and pay 28%. If pointing out your obvious illogic and heartlessness is a "pathetic attempt" to insult you, then I plead guilty. Fact is, you are doing a pretty good job at showing how stupid and heartless you really are.

SIASD

If you want to pay more taxes go ahead no one is stopping you, but don't drag me in with you.

Vote yes, I'd rather see those on unemployment saved from extreme poverty, hunger and homelessness than than see the rich given a much deserved tax hike.

d.c. steorts - Your definition of being rich and mine may be two different definitions. I for one am VERY tired of paying taxes through the nose. Everything comes with paying taxes. It boggles my mind that everyone complains about the RICH and everyone wants the RICH to pay MORE TAXES - yet I do not see anymore people getting OFF WELFARE or MEDICAID and the Waste and Fraud that goes on with Medicare and I really do not see more people getting jobs and working hard to better themselves. When you have almost 47% of the people in this country not paying Federal Taxes - something is wrong. Washington has to learn that you can not spend more money than you take in - I even know how to live on a budget and it is a challenge everyday. So NO I am very tired of the Stupidity and Nonsense going on in Washington and someone needs to stop the SPENDING!!!!!!!!!

Dc, How exactly are you giving anything to the richest 2%? and why would you trust Washington to be responsible with your increased taxes? Do you think they will pay down the debt or spend it?

Well Donna you can't expect everyone else to be left to divvy up the scraps of money left available and be content can you?

The rich set up this system and squeezed everything out of the poor. Perhaps we should end welfare, keep everythng benefitting you guys, and see how our very own French Revolution works out for you?

Ever pictured yourself in a guillotine?

dc steorts, i believe their is a line on the 1040 tax form where you can contribute more $$$ than what the IRS says you owe. Don't be shy, go for it!

Come on now Donna-367223 , just look at the historical tax rates of the top 7% earners in this country and then tell me how you're paying through the nose .

http://www.truthandpolitics.org/top-rates.php

http://www.moneychimp.com/features/tax_brackets.htm

My heart just bleeds for you selfish people . Complain about the deficit and then don't want to do your fair share to help pay it down . Trickle down ? Hasn't happened yet .

Donna is right and rest of you are wrong! It is that simple!

bak1133 - First of all I am not a selfish person. You do not even know me. I donate alot of time and money to charities. What do you do?? I am paying through the nose with taxes on everything we buy. Personal property taxes, federal taxes, social security taxes, medicare taxes ,real estate taxes, state taxes etc. And why do I need to explain to you. You are the rude people of this country that probably does not do their fair share and compalin all the time. Do you spend more that you make????? Do you live within your means? Probably not - cause you are waiting for it to trickle down to you.

Please - President Obama promised to unite this country and clean up Washington and he is not doing either.

I will say this many times here: Be it known that many millionaires are advocating for an end to the tax cut for them (for the wealthy), so let's stop playing the fools with that. Check http://www.fiscalstrength.com/

I believe there's a fable about a "dog in a manger" that applies to your comment.

Dan

You are very wrong in your assumtions as well Donna . First of all I've been to the Gulf twice helping rebuild homes damaged in Katrina and Rita . Second , I volunteer at the foodbank and feeding program through our church . Third , I am a member of an Early Responce Team that responds to disasters right after the police/firemen take up the yellow tape . Our travel expences and equipment comes out of our own pockets . Fourth , I live well within my means and donate 10% of my income to our church and donate more to select local and national charities . Do you do more than that ? And Fifth , I live well within my means , I'm retired , and have never had a hand out or one thing in my whole life .

Warren Buffett , second richest man in the USA , said there is something very wrong with our tax system when his secretary pays more taxes than he does . Spare me your whining , it falls on deaf ears . Talk about rude people , step back and take a look at yourself !!!

I agree that $250k a year for a family of 4 is not being rich -- espeically in some parts of this country. I also agree it is true that many that have "wealth" have worked hard for it -- but it is also true that (especially now a days) many CEOs are making obscene salarys on the back of their workers -- or taking jobs over-seas-- (FOR MORE PROFIT) and if things go bad -- and they drive the company into the ground -- They walk away with an obcene buyout" with more money then they will need in five life times while causing countless working-class people to lose their jobs and everything. else I have seen it in a company I worked for. The CEO destories the company and walked away with a package worth more then $250 million! What did he do to earn that kind of money?

Please do the math folks: If you made $2 million year and paid a flat 30% in taxes that would be $600K in taxes (alot of money? Yes) -- but do you think you could live on the remaining 1 million 400,000k ? --I think you might "sqweak by" -- Now if you only made $30K a year and paid 30% ($9,000 in taxes -- a drop in the bucket for that other guy) -- you would have $21k left to live in -- could you do it -- how much is your rent -- gas for your car to go to work? (no limo driver for you!) By the way, how any more cars, houses, TVs would the first "hardworking guy" -- buy -- how may children will he house, cloths, feed and send to school? I guess you were makiing $20 million and had to pay 30% of that in taxes -- you will "chuck it all" and get a job making $7.00 in MCDs! GIVE ME A BREAK!

bak1133 - YEP!!!! Same here - so why are you picking on me? I am not whining - I as just saying what everyone else is saying - that enough is enough with Washington. We need to speak up and STOP the nonsense SPENDING!!!!!!!!! Why don't you put your energy where it needs to be - with what is wrong in WASHINGTON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Heres one for you - People need jobs in this country - How are you going to feel when our Air Force and our Government give the Tanker Contract to EADS-Airbus?????? More jobs leaving our country along with our TAX DOLLARS!!!!!!

d.c. steorts

That's the problem with you libtards. You can't understand that keeping the taxes as they are is not a tax cut. It is maintaining the status quo. But I'll agree with you on 1 thing, I wish you paid taxes too.

BC sounds like he doesn't pay any taxes. Better yet, BC, please pay your taxes based on the same bracket that a millionaire pays! That should decrease your tax burden considerably , right! Wow, unbelievable! Public schooling sure isn't what it used to be!

Being that I make less than $40,000/yr...I would GLADLY make $250,000 + and pay more in taxes.

I mean really, who would you rather be? Me, paying whatever rate it is I pay...and ultimately paying LESS (total)...or YOU, making way more...and ultimately paying MORE (total)?

Hell, id gladly make 250,000 and give half it back in taxes.

Reminds me of the guy who called into Dave Ramsey the other day saying "well im not sure if I should pay off my mortgage, I like the tax deduction" and Dave says "your paying the mortgage company $4500 a year in interest, so that you can avoid paying uncle sam $1500 a year, thats pretty dumb".

So, who wants to make a lot less...so they can avoid paying Uncle Sam so much? I'll gladly swap wages with you...I dont pay very much! Its awesome!

DonDonna-367223 , I'm sorry if you feel I was picking on you , that wasn't my intent . You asked what I did for others and I told you part of what I do . Thanks for all you do .

FYI , I'm from the Seattle area so you can probably figure out how I feel about Airbus getting the contract instead of Boeing . By the way , our Demo . Congresswoman fought very hard to bring those sales here , and was accused of " pork-barreling " . The fault in Washington lies in both sides of the House . We really need to pass some laws banning Lobbyists . Big money , on both sides of any issue , has way too much influence on decisions being made .

It's funny how Haliburton got all those unbid contracts in Iraq and then moved their offices off shore to avoid paying taxes here . Where was uproar from the right then ? They are just one of many companies doing business here and then avoid all or most of taxes by moving off shore .

bak1133 - Thanks to you also. Sorry - I just get tired of people telling me that I do not pay enough taxes. When will it ever be enough??? I do not appreciate someone in Washington telling me I have to pay more taxes and then spend my money foolishly. Yes I too am upset with the whole Tanker Contract - and how many people do you think really know what is going on? We need jobs and now to see that the jobs for the Tanker will probably to overseas so now will my TAX DOLLARS to another country to build Military planes for OUR Military when we have several companies here in our country.

One more time people. This is NOT a TAX CUT - this will just ensure that the TAX RATE will not GO UP at this time. I for one could use some extra money right now, too.

Jessica, if you made $250,000 you would be forced to pay more taxes. If you want to make $250,000, work harder!

Nice spin. As long as you get your tax break, the unemployed can get your crumbs. While it is true that the benefits are much more important to these folks than the tax you would save, the time is now to stand up to hostage takers.

I was on unemployment before and I was fine with the length of time I got it, but how long should they continue it up until you retire? If you Libs are so keen on taxes then why don't your representatives pay theirs?

I don't get it? The left and the Goverment think they deserve other peoples money?

kevin - I think that's what bankers think (they take more tax money than anybody) - and guess what, they are all Republican! Maybe you should look at your own party.

If cutting taxes and reducing spending will create jobs, lets put it to the test. Slash all taxes by 50% and reduce government spending by an equal amount ~ ~ ~ ~ for two years. I will cover any bet that within six months, even the most ardent supporter of "tax less, spend less" will be screaming for a return to those glorious days of yester-year when we were so oppressed with exorbitant taxes and runaway spending. My basis for this challenge is that those leading the current charge to tax less-spend less never give a thought to the interlocking relationship and how it impacts their own lives. In many if not most cases, they have not a clue how many blessings they currently enjoy in "oppression" which will all but instantly evaporate under the proposed plan. But if we tax less and spend less, everyone will have a job and can maintain independence. Right? That is the common thread woven into the argument being advanced by conservatives. I'll cover that bet, too. Bid 'em high; sleep in the streets.

Unemployment benefits has to do with survival, tax cut to the wealthy surely does not.

I totally agree with you why do the rich need a tax cut, but when do you stop blaming the rich for your problems. If your job doesn't pay well, get educated and get a new one, the difference between a rich man and a poor man is desire

We've spent around $800 billion dollars in Iraq fighting a war with a country that DIDN'T attack us... I wonder how putting $800 billion into our economy could have helped us instead of spending it on a war that amounts to a personal vendetta against Saddam. I wonder how Bin Laden is doing? Still free to roam around as he pleases, at least we got Saddam... that will teach those damn terrorists! If you attack us, we'll tell our people that you have an alliance with a different country, so we can go to war with them and let you walk free.

The same could be said of the Senate Republicans who are refusing to address any other issues until they get the tax cut deal that they want.

Both Democrats and Republicans are acting like children who are holding the country hostage until they get their way. When did compromise become a dirty word?

How is it right to give tax breaks to the richest americans that are already not paying their fair share. I heard that the tax breaks for the richest 5% of the americans will raise the deficit like 24 billion dollars. Well I guess yelling about the deficit and needing to balance the budget only applies to Republicans if it doesn't apply to the rich. Oh I know, instead of making the tax rates more fair to everyone, lets take the money away from people who can't find a job. They probably wouldn't vote for republicans anyway.

Ike. not paying their share? That richest americans already pay 80% of the taxes. And do remember that is the eighty percent that creates jobs. Do you work for a poor man?

Actually, the tax break for the rich is estimated at $1 Trillion over the next 2 years.

Remember how much the right cried about the healthcare bill that is estimated at $1 Trillion over ten years?

Odd how they are all rank and file in support of this garbage.

Ike2010,

The top 5% pay about 80% of all income taxes, what do you think their "fair" share should be? Go check the IRS web to see just how much the "rich" pay in taxes.

This is such a tired arguement. It's all a numbers game. If you think about it the rich are fooling everyone. I have seen data that shows that the top 5% of americans control 90% of the money in the country. This is also mentioned above too. To make the numbers easier to follow, lets say all the money in america is $1000 and the tax rate is 20% of your income no matter what you pay. then the top 5% of americans have $900 and the other 95% have $100 dollars. The total taxes collected in the US is $200. Then 80% of that is $160. The other 95% would pay 40. Now look at that as a percentage of their total pay. Top 5%= 18%, all others= 40%. They are not paying 80% of their income as taxes, they pay 80% of the taxes! If you control most of the money then of couse you would pay most of the taxes!

Once again, the rich are paying 80% of the total dollars collected. However, they are paying less as a percentage of their income than the middle and lower incomes. They ARE NOT paying their fair share.

Apple, meet orange.

SIASD, over and over, and over, and over, and over . . .

Ike,

You forgot that about 47% of the taxpayers in this country did not pay taxes last year. Leaving 53% of the people to pay for our government expenses. Gee and you complain that the rich don't pay their fair share.

When the 47% are paying their "fair" share, then complaining is allowed, but when the top 5% of the people contribute 80% of the money for our runaway government, well, they deserve a 3% break in their taxes. And besides we tax income in this country, not wealth. And because someone is wealthy because they inherited their wealth, does not mean they have a huge income annually.

Get over it, and join the ranks of millionaires that grew by 16% last year, during a weak economy.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/09/number-of-us-millionaires_n_491942.html

That is right barry, fix the economy first then ponder other actions

That richest americans already pay 80% of the taxes. And do remember that is the eighty percent that creates jobs. Do you work for a poor man?

Then they are a bit behind the curve, aren't they, Dasvet. They have had these tax breaks for most of a decade, yet unemployment has risen during that time from just over four percent to almost ten percent. Where are the jobs these 'richest americans' are allegedly creating with their tax breaks? It would seem that quite the reverse is true if common statistics are examined. Since that is the net result expected from these long standing tax breaks, can we demand that money back? Seems we paid for something we didn't receive. I've never worked for a poor man ~ but listening to him rant about his plight, one would get the impression that he thinks himself poor. There is a difference between deserved reward and outright greed. I'm hard pressed to give an example of the former but I can provide you volumes filled with the latter.

Ike,

How do you determine their fair share? If they pay an effective rate of 35% of their taxable income, is that a fair number? Do they derive more benefits from the government than someone that pays an effective rate of 10% of their taxable income? Who is the arbiter of fair? I don't expect to ever be in the top 20% of household incomes, but that doesn't mean that I want those folks to pay even more of their money in taxes. When you continually tax the rich, they find new and better ways of sheltering income. Reduce the rates across the board, and expand the tax base, don't punish people for being successful.

Sure they produce jobs - in India, China, Pakistan etc.

To All,

The problem is people think that rich people don't pay their fair share. Well as long as we keep our tax code, we'll never know what is fair. With the loopholes and deductions allowed, anyone with somewhat of an education can lower their taxes by the thousands.

Reformation of the tax code is what is needed. Easy, simple, and with a flat tax rate for everyone. @17%, using 2009 numbers, without deductions & loopholes, based on the lowest salary average per tax rate, this country would have brought in more than $15 billion dollars more than it did. That is tax cut for most, on their income. And that is the largest contributor to the federal budget.

Yes, AJay.... I agree. Democrat? Republican? who cares anymore! We are in such distress in this country. I wish our government would put all the bull$hit aside and make decesions that help all Americans, the rich, the poor, the unemployed... everyone. If it soon doesn't happen, I fear what will become of us and our country

Nancy has balls, just no brains.

Funny thing is I figured this would be something the conservatives, tea partiers, etc would want to vote AGAINST too! Weren't they campaigning heavily on reducing the debt? And now they want to extend tax cuts that will blow an even larger hole in the deficit than the stimulus program did?? (Not to mention that continuing some of the LOWEST tax rates to the ultra-wealthy in the past century would not help significantly increase jobs.)

Now Stu, you are entirely too thorough in your considerations. What people, political parties, and political advocates stand for doesn't necessarily translate into what they will do. Yeah, you'd think Tea Party-ers would be kicking over tables and chairs when considering what this will do to the immediate deficit and long term debt. But hark! Silence! Uber-Conservatives ranting about debt and spending are promoters of this budget busting plan. Now both wrap themselves in the banner of "tax increase" but is it? Really? We would be returning to the same rates in place in 2001. In other words, we are not "increasing taxes" but ending a long standing "discount." Its all in the semantics and both sides know how to use those to maximum advantage. By the way, when the "discount" came into play, we were not $13-trillion in debt. We are today ~ thanks to a variety of issues manipulated largely by the upper 5% along with two ill-advised war. But $13-trillion pales into insignificance when compared to the debt we will face in two years by keeping the "discounts." Thank God, my age indicates that I will not be around for the the devastating consequences today's thinking will bring on us. Unfortunately, my children and grandchildren will be. For that, I grieve.

Be it known that many millionaires are advocating for an end to the tax cut for them (for the wealthy), so let's stop playing the fools with that. Check http://www.fiscalstrength.com/

Jim in Texas.... I'm curious as to what age I'd need to be in order to "not be around for the the devastating consequences today's thinking will bring on us" - I hope I meet that age requirement. Sad as that is, it's the God's honest truth! :(

I have heard so much about how important it si to repealing the so called "death tax" -- how that will fix everything.. interesting thing -- only the most richest of people have the kind of estate that would be effected by this tax -- (and of course, if they die -- they don't have to pay tax -- their benefactors do) How does revoking this tax help the vast majority of working Americans and their next of kind (after their deaths?) Again, the logic does not really follow -- just like giving the richest corporation and indiviual big tax breaks (which thet have been enjoying for 10 years already) -- This is going to create jobs? So... where are all the jobs already ( I mean other than those outsourced to India @ the American tax payers expense (those who really do pay taxes on their wages -- I mean). Do the math: If you gave 10,000 people who earn less than $100k a year each an extra $1,000 in their pocket -that would help the economy more than giving 1,0,00 peole who make $ 2 million a year an extra $10k a year each: Are they going to buy 10,000 Tvs, cars, houses, zend 10,000 kids to college?

On what moral grounds do you find that the government is entitled to take money from someone because they died and passed it along to their heirs? Just because someone has more than you doesn't mean that you or anyone else should take it from them.

There is much written hear about "fair". Well, to be fair, let's take a significant percentage of any assets that anyone has when they die. If all you have is a used car and a microwave, let's take that from your heirs. Afterall, it is only fair. Your heirs should not benefit from your dying.

@Painful Truth: you talk about "giving money" to people.... WHO's money is it to give????? It's NOT yours and it's NOT the Governments!!!!!!!! Keep your hands out of my pockets!!!!

So what happened to all the concern about the deficit from you republicants? Talk about bullying - I can see McConnel now stomping his foot and saying I want my tax cuts or I will tell your Mommy.

And exactly what have Republicans been doing for the last several years? Oh yeah, they have just been saying NO to everything and refusing to work on any problems. And Mitch McConnell refuses to address any problem until he get's his way on maintaining tax cuts for the richest 2%. Doesn't sound to "Sportsman-like" to me. So don't try and blame everything on Democrats. There is more then enough greed, pettiness, and blame to go around.

The Republicans tried to use all of that UNSPENT stimulus money which would not drive the deficit up but your boy Odumbo will not let go of that money and will not tell anyone what he plans on using it for. I would be willing to bet it will end up being used for the CRAP ASS Health care bill that was passed.

All you democrats who have an issue with this bill need to understand that as a business owner, if I lose the tax breaks afforded to me, who in the heck do you think I am going to pass that cost on to??? I will give you a hint (consumers)!!!!!!!! The only reason Odumbo is trying to play nice is because he wants to extend yet again the unemployment benefit. I believe The Democrat way of thinking is they would love to have everyone just stay on unemployment until SS kicks in. See with regards to Govt. help it only comes if they can control you completely, they do not want to help out a little bit.

Read what economists have been saying about this: The stimulus to the economy from keeping all the tax rates low will be sizable. The increase in the tax base will bring in more revenue than if the tax rates were higher.

USA is great: Except that, thanks to Republicans, there is a clause in the stimulus that says it CANNOT be used to reduce the deficit. Obama's hands are tied where the Stimulus funds are concerned. Not that you'll hear any of that on Faux Noise.

Tax breaks to the wealthy do NOT stimulate the economy. Economists on BOTH sides of the fence will tell you that one for free. They SAVE the money they get back, they do not spend it. The best form of stimulus is to get the money into the hands of people who NEED it. It also keeps them off welfare and other "entitlement" programs which are already filled to capacity and barely help enough to keep food in the mouths of children or adults or a roof over their heads. Or would you rather have an even bigger homeless population in this country? Keep with the GO(b)P -- they'll make your wish come true.

While the last election of the TEA party fokd and some new GOP gives them control of congress and almost the Senate too -- and "hurts" Obama -- when these folks do not delivery they may very well be out in 2012 -- and Obama could bounced back and win another term. I always find it interesting when those who know nothing attack those who do know -- "I hate them smart, educated people who keep going off and show they can readand write and speak well -- and stuff...throw them out ..I want someone who does not know stuff like me in charge of my country!" . and keep your governmnet hands of my MediCARE and Social Security -- you Socialist, Commie, NAZI/Zionist!" (lol)

Hey AECS Ret(arded) - Obamanation this!!

Well Pat,

We agree, the compromise was there, the Congressional Dems need to accept it. And besides according to our President and his staff, the Bush Tax Cut extension is 37% of the overall monies of the bill. Not the $1 trillion that is talked about above.

We finally get a compromise and the left goes crazy because 2% of the taxpayers get to keep their taxes the same. While another 47% of the people don't even pay taxes. And then they complain about equality.

As I have said before, reform the tax code, and at 17%, we could bring in more money through taxes than we did in 2009, by almost $15 billion dollars.

Pat - Totally agree. Our problem here is we have Congressman Frank, I wish he'd just go away. Finally a compromise. Keep the existing tax rates the same for 2 years and increase unemployment benefits for another year. No reason to complain from either side.

Pat:

That is true. And more is the pity. The GOP don't want $$$ spent on anything that does not bebefit them. After all, after they are out of office -- who are they going to spend time with? -- The poor?!

Hell, nO -- they wil ben on boards of directors of the companies who bebefited most from the tax breaks -- and took the jobs over seas. Is this true of both parties? Yes, but the GOP are the most blantant about their personal greed. Somoen here said why do the "disadvantaged" keep supporting the Democtats -- yet they are still disadvantaged-- well, because, every so ofthen the Republicna win.

Good bye good paying jobs, Hello to tax breaks for the top 2%. No one wants to pay taxes -- i get that -- but you have to tax those who got the money -- when you shrink the middle class and increase joblessness -- that leave the richest. You can not get fat off a dry bone -- but you can of a fat pig!

Those Democrats in "safe" liberal districts must scream about this. Otherwise, they are infuriating their base. If they didn't, there is a possibility that another democrat would use it against them in their next election bid.

All this is just politics as usual.

You're right, YOU ARE NO ECONOMIST!!!!

You are cracking me up!!!! How will having less money inspire them to invest in risky enterprises? If you thought your income was diminishing would you hop a plane to Vegas and gamble the rest away? Why work or invest so that if you fail you lose everything and if you succeed fifty percent will be seized and given to those who did nothing!

the rich are the only ones spending!!! the poor only spend their money at wal-mart! the middle class is trying to get by. you take more from the only people that have money, and then what? and why is someone rich when they make 250,000 a year? some of those are working their butts off and they deserve to keep that money that they actually go out and earn! just because some moron who has been out of work for 2 years is sitting at home complaining all day about how there are no jobs, needs to get off their rear ends and start taking some responisiblity for themselves and take whatever job they can find instead of living off those that are working!

The rich will will invest in multi-national corporations which have their manufacturing/production jobs overseas. Use your head.

Golofmanj said it all!!

golfmanj is obviously not an economist, either.

SIASD

From the feedback to my post I can see my assessment was spot on. The rich spend more of their money than the poor? You've been drinking too much already this am. The poor spend every penny they make so does the middle class. The rich hog the money. That is why I feel if they do not reinvest in the country that made them rich, they should be taxed heavily.

matthew and Ana are typical bottom feeding liberals who thinks their entitled to a life they didn't earn.

To quote one of your own: "Die quickly"

OK so if these tax cuts were so good for your country for the past 10 years then why haven't there been more jobs created? Fact is that during the past 10 years with these tax cuts in place we were loosing 750k jobs a month. That tell same that the rich were doing what they always do. Which is ship jobs overseas and invest their own stocks to make themselves more money. Let them expire then make the new congress put a new tax plan in place. Make the republicans take responsibility for once.

Brianb is a typical duped right winger fighting for those who couldn't care less about him. I work, I pay taxes, more taxes than a typical rich person as a percentage of my income. Brianb has shown himself, through his posts, to not understand this and when shown to be wrong, resorts to insulting people he knows nothing about and then telling them to die. That's a really adult reaction, there skippy.

brian0114,

If I am so poor you want me to die quickly then who would do your manual labor for you? You haven't learned anything yet have you? There will always be haves and have nots. The bar just moves along with the availability of humans in each category. If the bar for the poor person is now $20,000 it will move to $100,000 or maybe $1 million. Go back to school and learn something.

Ana - to your analogy about the poor spending everything they have so therefore they spend more, you couldn't be more wrong. If a poor person needs transporation, they will buy either a used, inexpensive car or purchase a heavily subsidized bus/train pass. If a wealthy person needs transporation, they will buy a car, rent a limo or other means of which are much higher cost than that spent by the poor person. So, in one purchase, a rich person would spend more than a poor person may spend all year.

How does a tax cut add to the deficit? Spending is what adds to the deficit, why not start cutting the spending first? 72 percent of all government revenue is spent on many of which did not exist, as little as sixty years ago?

You need to tell you employer to cut your pay so your bills go down? Let me know how that theory works out for you.

Navy, it adds to the deficit because it decreases the amount of revenue coming in to pay for the services the gov. provides like the military for example! Duh! Have you actually read any articles that analyze this "compromise" ?? Maybe you should try reading some.

Actually, that's completely wrong; the tax cuts are only 1/3 of the cost of this package. Also, if you didn't extend the Bush tax cuts at all, it would raise about 300 billion, that's 3 trillion over 10 years, rather than the 70 billion that sticking it to the wealthy will produce. The whole idea of extending the benefits for all but the "rich" does nothing to the debt that is over 2.3 trillion a year - its spitting in the Mississippi; if that was the real goal, you wouldn't extend the benefits for ayone. The real goal of extending to all but the wealthy is redistrbituion of wealth.

How about we just go to a flat tax, of course then none of you would have anything to complain about

LyndaAZ - Maybe if the 47% of Americans in this Country paid Federal Taxes then there would be more revenue coming into the Government. Maybe MORE Americans should be out WORKING and paying Federal Taxes and then there would be more REVENUE coming in. Please maybe you should do some more research before you speak. Also what is being proposed is NOT a TAX CUT!!!!!! This mean that our Tax Rate will not go UP!!!!!! We have to create jobs and get people back to working and everyone paying their fair share of the taxes in this country and not just some.

Donna, you are wrong. Follow this link and get an education: http://crooksandliars.com/jon-perr/debunking-47-pay-no-taxes-talking-point

Matthew - Please you get a clue - I do not need to get an education from Jon Stewart of all people. Please do some more responsible research.

Bankers could not destroy anything without the ok from the politicians such as Chris Dodd, and Bonny Fwank.

To all of you extremist on either side,Let me just say I'd like for you Democrats to understand that Republicans ALL have the same one track mind that the government should and must have as little money(low taxes) to work with as possible. Any spending should be on defense and defense and defense and perhaps basic services they swallow for the sake not appearing to heartless. With that said extending unemployment,college tax credits and whatever other spending the President got is a total 1 st degree violation of Republicans core principle, that the free market should be deciding how money is spent and not the government otherwise is socialist. so Democrats suck it up and stop whining because we have to give up tax cuts to the TOP you should have known any spending signed by Republicans Is the compromise of all compromise in and of itself Everytime . I hope I've cleared things up.

And you criticise extremists. Al, you have cleared nothing up.

As long as it's not that idiot Palin!!!!!!!

Source for the 98% please?

I agree with you Pittsburgh Lawyer

Pelosi will go nowhere. You need to remember where her district is and the voters who live in that district. If she didn't fight this, there would mbe more of a chance of her leaving than if she did.

What's another Trillion to people who just spend money without any controls? And who or what party increased the deficit with their spending on bailouts, stimulus programs and that wonderful health care program that most will not be able to afford today.

and why should the government collect money from me when I die - haven't they already taken more from me than necessary? My estate should go to my children without government being there to collect what they believe is rightfully theirs.

These elite leaders actually believe they have a right to pick my pocket at any time to help pay for their failed economic policies. And when we need more money, just print it.

I guess we all need to join a union to be able to be cared for today.

safecracker

Maybe you didn't know but Bush passed the bail out for wall street. His top financial guy went to congress with a 3 or 4 page bill asking for all the money and on oversight what so ever on how it was spent. Also for every 1 dollar spent on UI it generates $1.60 compared to to the 30 some cents generated by tax cuts.

Safecracker... Let's review how we got a 13 TRILLION debt. The debt was 5 Trillion when Bush took over and the Republican congress spent Trillions on tax breaks for the rich. Not much for the middle class. The Bush tax breaks were added to the debt. Then we have the two Bush wars to consider. Additionally... Bush grew the size of government just when we could least afford it. Do you remember that the Bailout was a Bush bailout? The stimulus has been pared to less than 700 billion. Where do you think the economy would have been without it? The rich sure weren't spending their tax breaks at the supermarket. I won't even go into the corrosive Republican policies that got us into this mess.

I am happy that you have more than $5,000,000.00 to leave to your family. Or... are you just talking out of both sides of your mouth?

How did republicans stop legislation with a minority? Filibuster.

I will not defend the spending of the Republicans from 2000 - 2006, but reducting taxes alone does absolutely nothing to add to the debt or the deficit. The issue is that spending increased far above revenue, which increased after the tax cuts.

@Calberts - Yep, Bush passed a funding, and who expanded it? I was against providing money to the financial community, and still believe those companies in trouble would have been absorbed by other FI's at a much lower cost, if any cost at all. The government didn't need to become involved. Also, I don't understand why the gov. needed to bail out the car companies and their unions. They could have re-org'ed without money and would have survived.

@Allen - yep, I agree that two wars, funded by Congress added to the deficit. And which party and administrator further expanded this debt with increases? Yes, I do have money to leave to my heirs, and no, government shouldn't have any involvement in forcing my kids to sell just to pay taxes. What value did the government contribute to the building of an organization and why should they participate in any manner?

As for Bush growing government........look at the numbers under the SpendingParty control. Look at the cost-per-employee in the government sector vs the cpe in a public company. Quite a higher cost for the gov people and do we really require large numbers of Fed's?

Government today continually talks about increasing taxes, but have they actually looked at the various programs that are funded that may not be required? Why do we need to borrow money from the Chinese just to send to foreign countries?

Let's look at more issues than raising taxes. We can, I believe, get by with a smaller government that spends our funds more wisely.

Oh right and just like the Democrats have been in control of everything for 4 years now and I do not hear any Democrat taking responsibility for anything. Nothing has worked for 4 years with the Democrats - but with them it is SPEND, SPEND, SPEND SPEND, I wonder if there will be a tomorrow.

I consider the "low-life's the ones who pay for nothing and expect everything.

Donna, the Democrats have not 'been in control of everything for 4 years' and the largest spending has occured under Republican control.

Turn off Rush, Glenn and Sean and back away from the radio. Go to your local Community College or University and take some classes. You obviously have intelligence as you write well, you just need to get the real facts and not talking points from the right wing echo chamber. Widen your information sources beyond Faux Noise and right wing talk radio (it's okay to include them, I do, but it is not okay to make them your sole source of information). From your posts, it is obvious that you do not go beyond those sources.

I am surprised to see the words Democrat and fiscally sound used in the same sentence, but it was Pelosi trying to make the relationship.

Donna...Would you mind explaining how the Democrats have had ANY control since January 2007? Did you want me to number the bills that Republicans defiantly decided they would obstruct? Did you want me to quote Mitch McConnell who claims he and his party will insure that President Obama doesn't get a second term of office? And just how do you think they planned to do that if not by their constant demands, obstructions and now...now...the worst of all using people they put out of work with their Republican wealth protectionism, the unemployed, as hostages, so their rich fat cats could get another 2 years of another 11% increase in their wealth?

This is now the 3rd tax credit unfunded the wealthy have received since 2001. Will this be a regular Republican wealth protection regime every 5 years with tax credits given to those who need more squat than they do money or tax deferrments? If a man cannot live in this country on $600 a day, boo hoo. Why should the rest of us get the bills the rich dump on us because they hate to pay taxes? Because they hate the idea of a little austerity or sacrifice on their part?

If I wanted to live in total Republican domination, I'd have voted for McCain. Don't you dare blame the Democrats or this president for the skankitis of the Republicans playing shape shifters in the back room of the Senate. President Obama did what he thought was best for those on unemployment. People like you don't care that the rich butts who put people out of work are the ones who are now using jobless people for their leverage. Being government mules to the rich? I think not sweetie.

The Republicans have been playing their games since January 2009. I'm fed up with them. Everything this president has tried to do or ever will do is obstructed by them and their greedy cronies. If President Obama hadn't worked out a compromise...would you rich butt friends bring back the jobs that made them all billionaires? They better....they have 2 years. How do it feel when the shoe is on the other foot?

Its quite simple. Everyone talks about about money, the root of all evilness. Currency is just a word. Do you really think our mic trillion dollar debt is going anywhere? LOL. Cut down trees and make our currency. Create jobs to keep Americans busy; and pay well to honor the less lazy, irresponsible, and fat americans who don't want to work. Republicans and Democrats are just ponds on the table. Thank you...

OK, lets lookat the facts. First the 250K crowd, do you realize that most of them are small business owners who hire a good many union worker in the construction trades? In addition a lot of these same "rich" do a lot of charity work, so why are they being demonized as evil? Being rich is not a punishable offense in this country is it. The real rich are those earning over 1mil. per year and have people who look for tax "loop holes" or shelters. Let's let them pay the higher taxes? Everyone wants tax breaks, what we need to do is stop giving our tax money to people who do not have any ambition to work for something, who think that I (my tax dollars) owe them something. Our government does not owe us a living. But since we have been handing out money for over 60 years it will be hard to stop Right? Yes, it will, but lets try this.

First, Punish the employers that hire illegals', fine them, by removing all the assets they have aquired by using cheap labor. Put them behind bars, sell all assets and return the money back to the Government.

Second. The social programs that just hand out money and housing, child care, food stamps (or whatever politically correct word we are using today) health care, and the list goes on. Make these people go to find jobs or find jobs for them, tell them that you need to go to work and get a paycheck, you can keep all these entiltlements we have given them. However, if you quit, get fired for good reason you lose them. Now how do we get them off the social programs? When they start to earn wages above a certain amount we start to reduce what we the taxpayers are giving them. This system can be accomplished it just takes people who care about this country and not about votes and being reelected.

I have many solutions, and so to many hard working Americans we just need to think for the common good and take responsibility for or own lives and actions, instead of wanting to blame someone else for our problems or irresponsibility.

Please America Vote and get Involved, talk Politics its is Our Right !!!!!!

ewent: you can't blame the rich for "putting people out of work" but then not give them credit for HIRING and CREATING JOBS. You can't be intellectually honest and have it both ways.