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Congress is mired in -- What else? -- another impasse, this time over how to extend a yearlong payroll tax cut that will expire at the end of December barring congressional action.
Both Democrats and Republicans largely agree on an extension of the tax cut. But they're haggling now over the scope of the tax cut, and how to pay for the multibillion dollar hole it would blow in the deficit.
Senate Republicans, in a proposal released this afternoon, expressed support for extending the 2011 two percent payroll tax holiday for another year. They won't support an expansion of that tax cut to 3.1 percent in 2012, which is supported by the White House.
The Senate GOP also rejected a surtax on millionaires proposed by Senate Democrats to pay for and expand the tax cut. Republicans, rather, would finance their plan by cherrypicking elements of the Bowles-Simpson deficit reduction recommendations to extend current law and reduce the deficit by $111 billion.
That plan would freeze pay for federal workers and Defense department civilians for three years and cut the government workforce by 10 percent. It would also allow the wealthy to voluntarily contribute more taxes, and means-test government health benefits like Medicare. It would eliminate millionaires' and billionaires' eligibility for unemployment compensation and food stamps
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said today, “This is not an argument about whether or not we ought to extend the payroll tax cut that was enacted last year for one year. The issue is how do you pay for that? And we have differences of opinion about that.”
The GOP proposal is a non-starter with Democrats. Adam Jentleson, a spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) said the Republican proposal "cannot pass the Senate as it stands" because it's not expansive enough and is not paid-for in a way acceptable to Democrats.
"They're asking us to halve the tax cut, and go along with pay-fors that many in our caucus oppose," a Democratic aide explained. "Like we said, we want to work something out, but we're not going to go along with that as it stands."
Jentleson said, though, that Democrats look forward to negotiating an agreement with Republicans. Reid and House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) are expected to meet this week.
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Congress squabbles while the 99% of this country continues to suffer!
I wonder how King Grover feels about raising taxes on the middle class?
Guess we will have to wait & see!
Rumor has it, he will be on Capital Hill tomorrow to feed the parrots their talking points...
How disingenuous and cynical can they get?
(AARRGGGGH!!! What is going on with the Vine today? I almost posted the same thing 3 times!)
They're just getting warmed up...
We ain't seen nothing yet! ;o)
The vine has been acting funky the last two days, you would think Newsvine would make the changes/upgrades during 'off hours' like most companies do!
How disingenuous and cynical can they get?
The power of the GOP arrogance lay in its cruelty; Democratic arrogance relies too willingly in dignity.
The same can be said for our media. Those who understand the least wear their cruelty like a medal of honor on tv and radio. And those in the media who care about their responsiblities as journalists carry themselves with that quiet intelligence that you can't fake. And carry with them a dignity that allows us their readers to pay attention. We know they're doing their jobs. And we know who they are. And aren't. Easily.
So it would seem that once again there is a disadvantage going into 2012 for the GOP. I don't think this is the most important election in my lifetime. For me it was the 2008 presidential election. But as we see the GOP debates and we see them up against President Obama, there is a moment when you have to think -
President Obama, your dignity will win out. Every time.
There is a decency about him that you can't fake. He may have to make decisions we don't like, but then that's part of the job - that's part of life. For all of us. Regrets he will have. One regret he will never have is behaving like the GOP. Like McConnell. Like Boehner. Like Romney. Like Gingrich. Like Bachmann.
He has never taken the bait from either the left or the right. Or the media.
He is who he is. And for most of us, we will take dignity any day over cruelty. After all, he is the President of the United States. It's what we expect. It's what we want. It's what we have. It's why he won.
Leave the cruelty to the GOP. It's who they are. Unbelievably callous and cruel. Right across the board.
The GOP House, Senate & Media. There isn't anyone they will not sell out for power and $$$$.
They've proven that time and time again.
Pat,
Beautiful post. Beautiful. The Right will attack in their inimtable, negative fashion, but hey, we expect no less from them.
So, let me get this straight-
A company has an employee who was hired with great expectations of his ability to deliver. He seemed to have the ability to do the job, he was charming, educated- and, if he lacked the experience of another candidate, well, sometimes, you take a chance.
Within six months, it became clear that he had no concept of the challenges of the job. Faced with incredible revenue losses in his department, he embarked on an endeavor to increase his department's responsibilities- over the objections of the people in his department.
When crises arose, he ignored them, to focus on other matters. Worse- on the eve of some of the crises, he left on vacation, leaving a vacuum of leadership.
While he was greeted with great acclamation- including from those who really favored the more experienced candidate for the job- he managed, in short order, to fracture the department, with a small cabal of ardent supporters, and a much larger number of people who resented his inability to prioritize, or to do anything that would effectively bring order to his department. These included many who had been, at first, his supporters.
A look at the bottom line shows that the company's losses increased dramatically during his tenure. Moreover, a look at his expense reports shows many dubious expenditures charged off to the company that should, rightly, be his own. In addition, he was instrumental in investing company funds in losing ventures that just so happened to have been run by his friends.
So, if his contract is coming up for renewal, you think he should be retained?
Give it up NJNB - you couldn't get it straight with a map, both hands and a flashlight!
Old gal, you really need to seek some professional help!
I cannot imagine going through life with as much hatred as you harbor honey!
no joe,
No, you didn't "get this straight". But it's useless talking with someone who purposely warps the President's record to fit her chosen narrative, so I'm not even going to try. . . .
I don't think it's cruel to allow or encourage the very wealthy to contribute willingly to the government by paying a little extra in taxes.
I don't think it's cruel to means test Medicare or Social Security. Isn't it more cruel to cut the benefits of someone who needs the benefits in order to provide benefits to those who don't?
Why are millionaires getting food stamps and unemployment checks?
I don't think it's cruel to freeze the pay of federal workers. There's people out there --- 12 million of them --- who have no pay to freeze.
I do think it's irresponsible to extend the payroll tax portion that funds Social Security. Social Security is on the brink anyway. Reducing the funding now will only hurt those depending on the benefits down the road. However, if during hard times the extension will help regular people, then okay.
That Senator Majority Leader Reid would not agree to these "pay for's" sounds unreasonable to me.
I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving Candice!
In the meantime, can you give old NJNB a *hug* poor old girl is looking for love in all the wrong places...
Hey, Feisty. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays - and it was good. I hope your day was wonderful, too, for you and your family!
And I do send No Jo a hug! Someone has to articulate the other side around here, don't you think?
Thanks Candice - Turkey Day was a resounding success!
Good Times!
I love that song.
Lookin' for love
I've spent a lifetime looking for you
Single bars and good time lovers, never true
Playing a fools game, hoping to win
Telling those sweet lies and losing again
And the movie too!
Sorry, just had to chime in.
Ummmm... NO.... that broad is crazier then any of the bat @!$%# crazy candidates!
Look up 'attention whore' in the urban dictionary & you will see her pic next to it!
Don't say you weren't warned.... ;o))
What I can't understand,s why when the tough gets going, the old broad runs...
PS: Pimping out the sick grand-kid doesn't give her any bonus points! ;o)
Actually, No Jo's analogy of the new hire was pretty much right on. It might apply to most members of Congress as well.
The bonus points? Come on. .....Be nice. I still keep that baby in my prayers. As I do for Bev's family as well.
Hey thetotas good to see you post, I have not seen you post in awhile hope all is well.
"Congress Squabbles"--should we expect anything else?
Cut the gov't workforce by 10%: where did that number come from. Is it by attrition or will it be a Reduction in Force? (Mitt-wit used that same statement about a 10% cut in federal employees, in NH a few weeks ago, so whose idea is it?)
Yet I'm sure executive pay will continue to soar another 25% at year end, and state government leader salaries (mayors, Governor) will get hefty increases. This makes at least 2 years federal work salaries have been frozen.
The republicans are trying to pay for this by tapping the Social Security Fund ...like they have done so many times before... leaving it insolvent ! Why dont we take it from the pentagon /war budgets..if the wars are ending ..and not give any further financial assistence to any foreign countey until all " OUR "people have what they need !
The money is coming from the Social Security fund- the payroll taxes being cut right now, that the democrats want to cut further, are FICA taxes.
I'm not in favor of co it jig this at all- and find neither option to "pay" for it a reality based solution.
These are funds not going into the trust fund. Both democrats plan, (to raise taxes), and republicans plan, (to cut expenditures), effect the general fund.
The cupboard at Social Security is still being short changed.
Try this- put the money back in the SS Trust Fund. Take it via an across the board cut in federal expenditures- if they cannot cut two cents on every dollar, things are worse than anyone thought.
Then, cut the federal tax by the amount FICA would be cut- and pay for it by implementing as much of Bowles Simpson as necessary.
Voila! You've kept the same amount of money in people's pockets- and have not further raided the SS Trust fund.
NJNB... honey - you seem to think that First Read readers take YOU seriously!
After all, no one but YOU, holds the record around here for being called out as a serial liar!
Hon... there is a valid reason why NO ONE would believe you, even if your tongue was notarized! ;o)
"It would eliminate millionaires' and billionaires' eligibility for unemployment compensation and food stamps"
I can't even understand this, how can this possibly happen that they get unemployment compensation and food stamps?......someone please enlighten me!
As for the 10% cut in the federal workforce......start with Congress!
As far as unemployment benefits go- well, you're forced to buy the insurance- might as well use it.
As far as food stamps go, however
http://www.moneynews.com/StreetTalk/Millionaires-Collecting-Food-Stamps/2011/06/23/id/401095
35 states have removed asset reporting, in favor of income reporting.
It's disgraceful, and needs to be changed.
Moreover, people only pay for their state unemployment insurance- not the federal.
Needs to be cut.
As the nut job from NJ continues to flog the dead horse! lmao@!
Giddeee up old gal!
"As far as unemployment benefits go- well, you're forced to buy the insurance- might as well use it."
Those mega rich folks really need the help since it's hard work continuing to steal from the country that made you mega rich in the first place.
I wonder if the mega-rich are included in the unemployment stats?
Hopefully you feel the same about the 'real' unemployed middle class and poor.
Steve Jobs got rich because people bought his I-products. The Walton family got rich because people found good products and reasonable prices at Walmart. Michael Moore got rich because people paid to watch his movies (I can't fathom why people would spend money on that). Kobe Bryant got rich because people pay a lot of money to watch grown men dribble around a basketball court.
Offering products and services that people willingly pay for is not stealing. It's what made our country innovative and great.
I agree, though. Unemployment benefits should be means tested as well.
I suppose you think that Steve Jobs would not have made those products if he had to pay a 39% marginal tax rate rather than a 35% marginal tax rate. I guess Kobe would give up hoops if he paid 4% more in tax. Thankfully, some people are happy with multiple millions of dollars in take home pay, even if they have to pay a little more tax. Atlas doesn't need to shrug when he has a few billion in the bank. Most of the CEOs for US companies are multiple millionaires. Most entrepreneurs of outstanding startups quickly become multiple millionaires. Even fairly mundane ideas like an internet coupon system can net billions. Atlas is fat and happy. Atlas is a whale.
Okay. Good point. No, I don't think a 4% higher tax rate would have deterred Mr. Jobs from making a "life as we knew it changing" product. And I do think many CEO's, actors and athletes - and politicians - don't warrant the millions they make.
But you can't begrudge those who make a difference in people's lives by offering a product that people want from making a lot of money. And who are you (and I) to demand they share that wealth with us? We don't have to buy those products, go to the movies or games. But if we do, we get something in return --- either a good product, or entertainment. (I almost hate to go to a ball game. The absurd pay deals kind of take the fun out of it to me.) But they are not stealing our money, wealth or opportunity. We are willingly giving them our hard earned money.
Even if these over paid wealthy people paid an additional 4% in taxes, they would still pay more dollars than you and I. And that extra money would not trickle down to you, Beyond. Nor would it shore up important programs or pay down any debt. It would just make you feel better ideologically. Is that what you want?
They can't even agree on something that they AGREE on...
I can tell you what public opinion will be on whether we should pay for the extension on the backs of the rich or on the backs of the poor...:)
Come on, dangerfield. You know as well as do I that neither side is "paying" for it.
FICA taxes go into the SocialSecurity Trust Fund. Both democrats and republicans are offering choices that will go into the General fund.
They're both proposing depositing money into the checking account at BOA- while the checks at Wells Fargo are going to bounce like rubber balls because not enough is being deposited into that account.
The reality is the both sides ought to be offering people the real choice- a small, 2 or 3%), tax cut today- in return for a BIG hit on your Social Security tomorrow.
Let's see the reaction to that. . .
HOw about if we tax the uber-rich to pay for it like the president said...Are you defending them again?
No Joe,
We could maintain a lower FICA rate permanently and stimulate the economy if we just took the cap off. Yes, employers and employees could have their taxes reduced and there would be the addition of many, many lower and middle wage jobs if the FICA tax was spread out to include the trillions of dollars earned by the top 2% that don't pay FICA on most of their income. The trust fund would be fat and more babies would eat. I know how you conservatives love the Social Security Trust Fund. W. was so good to tap it for about a hundred billion every year to make his deficits look smaller. (Seems he really hated Al Gore's lock box.)
Social Security benefits are calculated based on earnings history and taxes paid. If the cap was lifted, wouldn't the higher levels of benefits, then go to the higher earners who contributed more? That really wouldn't help without means testing.
However, lifting the cap but capping the benefits runs the risk of a true blue and obvious re-distribution of wealth. There's other - less obvious - ways to "steal" from the rich, and give to the poor. Congress does it all the time.
The Right wing-nuts would sell their young if they could make a buck on them. They are the most despicable bunch I have witnessed in a very long time. I still say we should have a national movement to Vote Straight Democrat (except for Bernie Sanders) in the next election. Show these goofballs we mean business.
According to Republicans, we should be ending the Bush Tax Cut for the Rich since they were not paid for and caused a huge part of the debt. Fair is Fair. But I really think the GOP Machine does not give a sh*t about middle and poor Americans. Shocker? No.
It is going to be interesting watching the republicans contort around defending the bush tax cuts they want to continue and how they plan to pay for them. Especially now that the republicans need everything paid for.
Too bad they didn't have any of that when they were busy starting wars, unpaid for, tax cuts and then more tax cuts for the wealthy, unpaid for. Suddenly when Obama was elected they all became born again conservatives. A bunch of holier than thou, hypocrites.
It is becoming quite obvious the republican care about the 1% and only the 1% no matter what it does to America. Why would you do something to help America when you have pledged to Norquist a random guy to kill America?
If your senator or representative has signed a pledge to Norquist he now serves Norquist a lobbyist for the rich and not you.
Millionaires and billionaires are currently eligible for food stamps? Finally something I agree with the republicans about; that should be stopped, although I have the nagging feeling that the republicans are fudging facts here....again.
It's a bit strange how the Republican mind works (or doesn't). Last year, they said there was no need to ever "pay" for a tax cut , that indeed all tax cuts pay for themselves.( Sen John Kyle) Of course, that's when they were extending tax cuts for the wealthiest 2% of Americans. Now, when it comes to maintaining a tax cut for "the rest of us",it somehow must be paid for with frozen wages, 200,000 federal layoffs and other counterproductive ugliness. The good news is that the Republicans have made things crystal clear about who they represent...and it sure as hell is not you and me.
THE 16th amendment was never legally ratified congress does not have the authority to collect income tax . research it , FACT
So what. How does this help America? Does it create jobs?
Looks like just another shiny object to go chasing off after and ignoring the real problems of today.
Darrel, why do Republicans always run to the Constitution with they think it backs them and then bash it when it proves them to be completely wrong?
Let the TPGOP turn this down too, everyitime they pull this @!$%# the sands falling through the hour glass get quicker and quicker like the days of their lives..................
They are history.