E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSSAnyone thinking Republicans might be ready to accept extending the Bush tax cuts for those making less than $250,000 now, think again.
House Speaker John Boehner (R), the man at the center of negotiations with President Obama, today rejected Oklahoma Rep. Tom Cole’s suggestion to pass an extension of tax cuts for 98 percent of people, declare victory, and go home.
Yuri Gripas / Reuters
U.S. House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) speaks next to Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, November 28, 2012.
"I told Tom earlier at our conference meeting that I disagreed with him,” Boehner said at a Capitol Hill news conference Wednesday morning. “He's a wonderful friend of mine and a great supporter of mine. In my view, raising taxes on the so-called top 2 percent, half of those taxpayers are small-business owners that pay their taxes through their personal income filing every year. The goal here is to grow the economy and control spending; you're not going to grow the economy if you raise the top 2 percent rates. It'll hurt small businesses, and it'll hurt our economy, why this is not the right approach. We're willing to put revenue on the table as long as we are not raising rates."
Cole (R-OK) on Wednesday reiterated his call for Congress to pass an extension of the Bush tax rates for those making less than $250,000 first and then work on the extension for higher-earners later, a major break from the Republican's strategy in fiscal-cliff negotiations.
“In my view, we all agree that we're not going to raise taxes on people who make less than $250,000 dollars, so we should just take them out of this discussion right now,” Cole said after a meeting of the GOP Conference. “Continue to fight against any rate increases; continue to try to work, honestly, for a much bigger deal.”
NBC's Mark Murray and Domenico Montanaro discuss the ongoing fiscal cliff negotiations and how Grover Norquist's no-tax-increase pledge plays into the discussion. Plus, what happened when Susan Rice made a visit to The Hill.
Cole, the deputy whip and former National Republican Congressional Committee chairman, first made the suggestion during a closed-door "whip meeting" yesterday, which was first reported by Politico last night. His comments have drawn criticism from those in his party.
Boehner is not the only Republican to disagree with Cole. Rep. Sean Duffy said on MSNBC’s Daily Rundown Wednesday morning that he believed Cole’s views are in the “minority” of House Republicans. In fact, interviews with other GOP members confirms that.
The lack of support for Cole’s proposal highlights the gap that persists between the White House and House Republicans with the clock ticking toward the so-called “fiscal cliff,” when all Americans would see tax increases and there would be a round a severe Defense and domestic spending cuts unless a deal is struck.
“Cherry picking provisions and rates right now doesn’t solve the problem, and they're not a serious deficit solution,” Rep. Kevin Brady (R-TX) told reporters today after a meeting of the Republican Conference.
Brady, who sits on the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee, said he is advocating for comprehensive tax reform, to be completed next year after all rates would be extended.
“I think we're strongly unified behind no tax increases on New Year’s Day,” he said.
Rep. Raul Labrador (R-ID) echoed Brady’s concerns, saying he believes the majority of the Republican Conference, including himself, is opposed to the idea of decoupling the Bush tax rates.
“We have to make tough decisions about our tax rates,” Labrador said. “We have to make tough decisions about our spending; we have to make tough decisions about our deficit. Let's do that today. There's nothing courageous about saying let's raise taxes on a few people today.”
In August, House Democrats proposed a bill that would do exactly what Cole proposed, but it failed 257-170 with no Republicans voting for the bill, and 19 Democrats voting against it.
Related:
Leave a Comment:
TAKE - SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE OF THE TABLE
....cut the comedy - both parties agreed during the election - - - now live up to it
Boehner is a idiot! He and his Republican cronies need to go leap off a cliff. The world would be better off.
The Republicans are beginning to remind me of that scene in Dr. Strangelove where Slim Pickens rode the bomb down. That's what they're doing, it seems. Suicide that takes the rest of us with them.
Clearly the American people are unhappy with Boehner as Speaker. Write to your Congress person and ask to have him voted out and replaced. It is possible you know.
I'll have to talk to Grover Nodick first and then get back to you. He runs the GOP don't u know?
Why should the Speaker of the House agree to any tax increases, when the democrats can not agree to any cuts. They want Republician to roll over & agree to a tax increase that won't amount to a whole lot (about 87 billion a year in new revenue), when democrats won't cut a single dime from entitlements.
Let me explain entitlements to you idiot democrats: 1 American tax payer now pays into Social Security for ever 4 Americans who draw a SS check. SS disability is project to run out in the next 2-3 years. Currently 1 in 7 Americans draws a SS disability check!
Medicare/Medicad is expected to run dry in 10-12 years & that's being generous on expectations.
So yes, let's just add 87 billion a year in new revenue, let obama run the National Debit upto 20 trillion by 2016 & not do any cost cutting BECAUSE IT'S JUST TOO DAM HARD FOR DEMOCRATS TO ACCOMPLISH!
Pay attention Dave, the world did not begin today. During the last go-round the President and Dems offered extensive spending cuts. The Republicans rejected them because the plan also included expiring the Bush tax cuts for the rich.
show me or detail those tax cuts, because I don't seem to hear about anything in this go around!
Dave - The entitlements were fully funded and would have accrued in value to account for the population curve; however, the government had this pile of cash just sitting there earning interest for the folks paying in over their entire lifetime and they (government) couldn't resist dipping in. Just like the movie "Dumb and Dumber", when the briefcase came open all that was left was a bunch of IOU slips.
I agree that the perception of Social Security and Medicare has changed from a Safety Net to Entitlement. I think everyone could live with reducing benefits for the wealthy (kind of a means testing before sending a check). I do think that we should be clear... this is a bipartisan f**king problem at it's source. Can the finger pointing and help with the solution or SHUT UP!
55plus40,
Ok, you want my solution:
Let taxes go up on everyone! Make the bottom 50% of non Tax paying American begin to pay something into the Federal tax system! Cut out all decuctions for everyone. Cut every single department in the government by 20% right now! Increase the SS retirement age to 70! If you are project to have more than 100K in retirement pay from what-ever accounts you have, cut SS off totally! Why does a person like obama need SS when he retires? He'll have a great government pension! Make a budget & get is pass both houses of Congress. Live within the means of that budget. Make sure revenues exceed the total budget allocations by at least 10-15%. That excess goes to paying down the debit. Stop giving money to other countries!
There how's that for a start! And last but not least, get rid of every single member of Congress & start over!
Hey DAVE: NEITHER of those programs contributed one dime to the deficits and debt!! You just admitted that when you posted your info on it! Why should THEY have to pay for the mess the GOP created???
Let those who played a PART in this GOP created debt crisis PAY TO FIX IT!
Boehner = complete bone head - so deserve what you elect
easy fix take tax rates back to clinton levels and take spending back to clinton level the democrats get the tax increase and republicans get a 2.2 TRILLION spending cut. win-win
99% of Republicans don't even know why they are arguing in favor of protecting the elite. They are drone soldiers, followers and minions. They are 100% NOT represented by the people they vote for. Adolf Hitler would have wet his pant to have these mindless followers.
How does Grover Norquist control his puppet Boehner? What does his hand go?
I hope that everyone posting to this discussion has sent emails, Twitter messages, etc to your favorite House member. Given the short time remaining, the House should extend the tax cuts to the middle class and raise the taxes on the top 2% (as exit polls indicate the American public support). I could see a compromise of raising the line from $250,000 to $500,000 before the tax rates go up so we can completely eliminate the danger of affecting "small business". When the new year arrives, tear it all apart and rebuild the tax code from the bottom up.
Mr Boehner - This is your golden moment. Do the right thing or face your voters in 2014 (do the words infamy and disgrace mean anything to you)
Bring it on. There will be a retroactive tax cut after the fiasco is over. Admittedly sucks for those who have automatic wit-holdings for awhile they will see about 100 per paycheck disappear if they are at like the 40K and above level. But then the Republicans will have to fight tooth and nail to get spending on their programs back. Hint, they will never get it back. The cliff was a chess move by Obama, knowing full well that it favors the democrats.
If it were up to Boehner he would keep the tax cuts and get rid of all government assistance. (thus taxing the lower class since the 2% does not use government aid).
Maybe if he kills all government services he would be happy because we did not raise taxes on the 2%. But with all the military personal now sitting on the unemployment line that would raise unemployment to over 15%. But then again there would be no unemployment since the government does not support paying unemployment any more.
But Boehner would be happy since he saved the 2% from paying more taxes.
Then he can still blame the President since he is in charge of everything.
If a small business owner has more than 2 people working at the company they should have incorporated themselves already. To protect personal assets from bankrupcy and lawsuits. So the small 1 person shops the still file under personal income create jobs?
Are you kidding me ? The job creators dont need a tax break. They are not going to use it to hire. Who are they kidding? Todays trend in the workplace is "Do more with less" [people]. Any tax breaks the wealthy "job creators" gets goes to them and the top execs.
We've been playing this trickle-down schitt for how many years now? And what has been the outcome? The wealth gap has grown in quantum leaps, the middle and lower classes are becoming indistinguishable, and the rich just keep getting richer. Sure, there needs to be some giving from both sides. Both have been guilty in their own way. But for the republicans not to give on this one is going to be suicidal on their part.
Something for you to think about. Raise taxes on the rich and they turn around and increase the cost of the product you buy. In the end, you end up paying the tax, not them.
New EPA rules going into effect Jan 1 will cost the oil companies $500 million a year. Guess what the oil companies will do. They have already calculated it into the increase in gas prices.
The consumer loses every time, we end up paying in the end.
Everyone is saying look at Greece, how about taking a look at our own country. I wonder how all those taxes are working for California. California has an 11.2% tax rate and the second highest corporate taxes in the country. They also have the second highest unemployment rate in the country and the highest debt. Their business are leaving to states that have lower taxes in droves. How is that working for you there in California?
I agree - write to congress. But like most of you are doing, please put "Boner" instead of his correct spelling. The wit will be sure to win over whomever you're contacting. You may just end up on Leno!
Does anyone here really know what the "cliff" looks like?
The combined spending cuts and budget sequestering will return the budget structure to what is was during the Clinton Administration. You know, those times that Democrats like to crow about as the best financial times in the past 30 years or so.
I'm for it.
What are democrats focusing on? Fixing the problem is what needs to be done and they are ignoring it. Republicans have no problem raising taxes but cuts have to be made first. Tax increases will not solve the problem.
Where did the democrat party go? They used to be the party of country first, now they are the party of individual and entitlement first. The country is doomed with that kind of thinking.
You need to see a psychiatrist. You have a distorted reality. It's free now. Take advantage and see a shrink. If you don't you will continue to believe whatever you are told without question. Others will continue manipulate your thoughts.
Blaming Republicans? Avoiding spending cuts? Reneging on the defacto bipartisan compromise of sequestration?
And is $100B in annual revenue going to invest in infrastructure, teachers, firemen, policemen, technology, education, green jobs, alternative energy, AND reduce the deficit?
Clinton Arithmetic?
Sunset you are a great example of the person that wants what they can get from the govt. Your thinking is destroying the country. Call someone who cares on your obama phone.
I sold my business when Obama got elected the first time. Best thing I ever done. I was good to my employees but made one thing clear. You are either an asset to the company or a liability to the company. If you choose to be a liability, your job is in jeopardy.
Isn't he the President? Yes, yes he is. Sore little loser. Can't face reality that your candidate was a moron and elitist. You are just a follower.
Sunset - you seem angry. Do you kick your pets?
I have a smile ear to ear know you and your party lost. I have no worries. I even say, walk away and let the cliff come. Forget about the nutbag Republicans. Let them sweat.
Nah, you kick 'em. And that vein pops out in your forehead.
I just kick Republicans when they are down. Much more fun. When I'm finished with them, I step on their small minds.
Hahahaha
Thanks for holding 98% of the country hostage to fulfill your agenda boner, you are the definition of terrorist.
Republicans will pass all cuts.
President Obama demands an increase for the wealthy at the risk of going over the cliff.
Who is the hostage holder?
I keep hearing about how fiscally responsible Republicans are. Trickle down economics does not work. Under 12 years of Reagan and Bush Sr. we had ever increasing deficits and war. 8 years of a balanced approach under Clinton led to the largest surplus in U.S. history. GW Bush turned the largest surplus in U.S. history into the largest deficit in his first year in office.
Obamas biggest failing is that he extended the Bush tax cuts. Those cuts were not fiscally responsible then and they are not fiscally responsible now. Time for us to pull our heads out of the sand and realize that if we want to make this nation great again, all of us will have to sacrifice. Rich, poor, middle class, young, old, Republican and Demcrat will all need to give up something.
So I'm assuming from your post that you're in favor of not renewing the tax cuts and sequestering expenditures.
Here's a simple question that even a democrat should be able to answer. If the Speaker of the House rolled over today & said, ok, I'll give you your tax increase on the top 2% & I'll ask for nothing in return. Exactly what was accomplished? The deficit for next year will still be over 1 trillion dollars! Social Secuirty will be 1 year closer to going broke! Medicad/Medicare will still be 1 year closer to going broke! Democrats will just have another 87 billion to spend on new programs! Oh wait no they won't that 87 billion will be needed to pay down 10 days of interest on the National debit!
So what exactly gets accomplished here. Can a simple minded democrat tell me 1 good thing about a tax increase thsi SMALL in size!
So John, the 2% are paying taxes on their small businesses from their personal income? Absolutely absurd. If we wait for that fact to grow the economy, we'll be waiting through the next depression. Anyone that would set up a business like that is an idiot. Just ask the rich. With statements like that it is no wonder the GOP is now referred to as the "stupid party". John, you need to go home and take your meds.
Republicans don't care about the middle class and working class in America. They only care about the very rich, and are willing to sacrifice middle class workers to protect the wealthiest at the very top.
Let's take 100% of the top 2% income-earners' funds -- all of it, taxes, assets, real-estate, etc.
Then you lazy idiots will have to look to other sources from whom to steal. Perhaps your own pockets -- which will make it more tangible to pay for all the freebies you demand.
I'm sick of these nitwit politicians who think that we elected them because we want leaders. BS. Politicians should be followers. The people are the leaders. Morons like Boehner think he was put in office to push his personal ideology. That's misguided and dangerous.
I'm still trying to figure out how someone who pulls down 250G is a "millionaire" or a "billionaire". How the hell does that work? And just what does 0bama mean when he says the rich need to pay "a little bit more"? How about some clear definitions of what this shyster is talking about. The other phrase is "their fair share". According to who exactly?
Everything that comes out of 0bama's doughnut hole you people just swallow without question.
Most people who make $250k and more per year have net worths at or above one million...that makes them millionaires. Tax rates for the rich are at all-time lows and they have access to loopholes and deductions regular folks don't. Tune out Faux News for a while and learn to think for yourself Frank. BTW, the "shyster" is Boehner.
liberals are the most ignorant people in the US
Who are the top 2%
In California that would be a teacher and a policeman or fireman; a longshoreman and a teacher; a nurse and a garbage collector;
Let's look at typical incomes in states like California
he AVERAGE teacher salary is $67,871 per year
In the state public school system, teacher salary in California is determined by individual school districts. According to the Sacramento Bee, the average teacher salary in 2011 was $67,871. Districts with the highest average teacher salaries in California are located near Santa Barbara, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Montecito Union Elementary District, covering a wealthy community near Santa Barbara, is the top-paying district with an average salary of $101,066. The second and third highest paying districts are both located in Santa Clara County, which is also home to Silicon Valley. The average salary in the Mountain View-Los Altos Union district is $100,530, while Los Gatos-Saratoga Joint Union has an average salary of $92,636. Laguna Beach Unified, located outside Los Angeles in Orange County, is fourth on the list with an average salary of $91,828.
http://www.sacbee.com/2011/03/03/3446569/see-average-police-firefighter.html
Or how about Police and Firefighters
While their ranks have thinned due to layoffs and the recession, California police offices and firefighters still typically earn far more than most Californians.
California police officers made, on average, $92,976, including overtime, incentive pay and payouts upon retirement during 2010, according to a Bee analysis of data from the state controller's office. Firefighters and engineers earned, on average, $113,882. Average pay for police captains across the state was $147,940; for fire captains, it was $141,525.
http://www.sacbee.com/2011/03/03/3446569/see-average-police-firefighter.html
Nursing
the Average salary for a RN in CA is $83,000.
The following is from 2002
Full-time West Coast dockworkers who load and unload ships make on average nearly $100,000 a year, while clerks who keep track of cargo movements average $120,000. Not only does the medical coverage for active longshoremen require no out-of-pocket expenses, but the same holds true for retirees.
Orange County CA has a population of over 3 million meaning approx 10% of the people in the US live in this county.
The median income is $74,344
Average home price $450,000
That means if you have the median income of 74,344 you cannot afford to buy a home in this county unless you buy in a slum neighborhood.
And with the 2nd worst taxes in the nation, you are subject to the top marginal state income tax rate of 9.3% at an AGI of 47,000.
Those who judge people for making $250,000 per year don't realize that in a number of areas in the country, $250k is necessary to be middle class
Everybody keeps the Bush tax rate on their first $250k.
The tax increase only applies on income after the first $250k.
None of those people you mentioned is above $250k and even if they were their rate would only go up by 4 points after their first $250k.
Boo Hoo...
Are you really that stupid Larry? The salaries you post would not qualify as the top 2%, nowhere even close. BTW, Orange County would need about 31 million people to have 10% of the US population. Time to get educated by someone other than Faux News Larry.
1% Larry...10% would be 30 million. And, none of the jobs you referenced came close to the $200K mark.
Larry Robinson #261.3
You say "Orange County -population of 3 million has "10% of the people living in US"...
So are you saying there are only "30 Million people" in the US?....
I'm going to go out on a limb and predict you area teapub.....you make up data as you go....and then don't even understand what you write down as supposed fact!!
"10% of US in lives in Orange County".......priceless, just priceless!
I stand corrected on the percentage - that's what happens sometimes to those of us with ADHD.
However the salaries do constitute the top 2% when they are married couples.
For instance my youngest stepson is a fireman/paramedic in Oakland. He earns between 200-240k per year depending on overtime. His new bride just became an attorney with Google. I won't release her income because unlike public workers her income is private. But combined they are in the top 1%. I do his taxes and he has consistently paid out over 30,000 per year to Federal and State income taxes even with his deductions.
I have other clients who are police and teacher combinations who are in the top 2%. I know Longshoreman with over 10 years who make close to 200k per year. I have a client who is a nurse who makes nearly 200k per year and his wife makes nearly 100k as an administrator for a home health agency.
People who make, say $60,000 a year in Fort Smith, Arkansas — one of the least expensive places in the country, according to Kiplinger.com — have significantly more disposable income than people trying to make it on $250,000 in Manhattan.
Advertise | AdChoices
And the differences are startling. You can buy a four-bedroom, two-bathroom house in Redford, Mich., (just outside of declining Detroit) for $60,000, or pay $1.7 million for a similar home in Los Altos, Calif., in the heart of Silicon Valley, according to numbers released today from Coldwell Banker Real Estate.
You need to earn $250,000 in Los Altos, Calif., to live the life that $60,000 provides in Fort Smith, according to the addicting cost-of-living-comparison calculator at Sperling's Best Places website.
http://www.nbcnews.com/business/how-much-250-000-its-all-about-location-1C7308453
...and the rate doesn't go up on your first $250k.