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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.
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The good thing is tax cuts can be retroactive... So even if they do go up for the middle class... It won't cost us a penny. They will just pass a retroactive tax cut for the 98%.
republicans lost. time to force feed them the medicine.
WillieSmith
Republicans lost by 350,000 votes in 3 states. Is that a mandate?
***************************************
DID YOU REALLY POST THIS???
I DONT FRIGGEN BELIEVE YOU ARE THIS DUMB
Last time I checked, THERE WAS 50 STATES
And Romney LOST by OVER 3 MILLION VOTES
YOUR ERROR, is that who the eff cares about by how many he lost by in ONLY THREE STATES???
THREE STATES DONT ELECT A PRESIDENT, 50 DOES
Restore all tax rates to the level they were under Clinton and restore the same level of spending we had from 1996 to 2000. Everyone including President Obama raves about the economic growth that occurred during that time so lets go back. This is not rocket science--since everything after 2000 has been a disaster let's do a reset!
So you want to leave the soldiers on the ground in Afghanistan unfunded?
Oicy-the troops in Afganistan are coming home, the sooner the better-Now as opposed to 2014
I would support bringing them home today.
There is no way democrats would every agree to that Ducky. Republicans would go for that in a heartbeat though.
It's FAR past time for 'Torches & Pitchforks' for these 'Upper Crust Phuque's'! Let's all just camp-out on 'Bohner-Heads' front yard, raid HIS 'Fridge, use HIS kitchen, Crap in HIS toilet, Abuse HIS dog & see how HE likes what HE wants to do to to the majority of US WHO DIDN'T ELECT HIM!!
Poor Tan Man, guess he is still reading the same GOP fairytale fiscal policy book. He also must have been sober during the Clinton Administration and operating under high duress and severe mental fragility. He needs to check the incredible financial growth that is recorded in history along with the higher tax rates and compare that to the lack of growth with the lower taxes in the Bush Administration. Clearly the GOP is still in fact rejection mode, because admitting to that fact blows their argument about the job creators all to bits. That's OK maybe the American People will be in the GOP rejection mode again come 2014.
Of the top 50 richest people right now in congress 32 are Republicans.
The top two are Republican Michael McCaul with 294 million and coming in second is Republican Darrell Issa with 220 million. Its no wonder their fighting so hard to keep the Bush tax cuts.
http://www.rollcall.com/50richest/the-50-richest-members-of-congress-112th.html
They are trying to keep the Bush tax cuts for ALL, not just the wealthy!!! If they are so much slanted toward "the wealthy", let them ALL expire.
MSN did this the other day and the democratics had the most wealth in congress - the media just keeps spooling and you all just keep believing it.
Its obvious by your response you never checked out the roll call web site.
And you are correct I do keep believing that the Republicans will never do anything to help out the middle class at the cost of raising taxes on their rich campaign contributors .
Change, not to good at reading comprehension..
Yes while its true Dems have the top earners meaning in the top 10, OVERALL THE TOP 50 MOST ARE GOP
No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth!
Ronald Reagan
Government is like a baby. An alimentary canal with a big appetite at one end and no sense of responsibility at the other.
Ronald Reagan
Republicans believe every day is the Fourth of July, but the democrats believe every day is April 15.
Ronald Reagan
The problem is not that people are taxed too little, the problem is that government spends too much.
Ronald Reagan
Government always finds a need for whatever money it gets.
Ronald Reagan
The taxpayer - that's someone who works for the federal government but doesn't have to take the civil service examination.
Ronald Reagan
One way to make sure crime doesn't pay would be to let the government run it.
Ronald Reagan
The trouble with our Liberal friends is not that they're ignorant; it's just that they know so much that isn't so.
Ronald Reagan
Taking money from Social Security will not reduce the deficit. Social Security has nothing to do with the deficit. -- Ronald Reagan
Did Ronald Reagan raise Taxes Procrustes-2100316 ? Yes He Did. Stop with the quotes and read the Facts. You can read can't you?
http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/did_reagan_raise_taxes_let_gop_candidates_answer_20120105/
Why do conservatives/republicans frame their posts as a declaration? It all sounds so ideological. They say screw the people, let the cause prevail no matter what the consequences! What's your goal? Single party rule? Dictatorship? I guess I don't and never will understand the extremity and fear from this party/movement. If you can't accept and work within a two party system that absolutely includes compromise then why do you participate in the government you hate so much? Absolutely mystifies me.
UMM, WRONG
NEW YORK (CNN Money) -- The funding grants nobody wants. The "mobile"
policing unit that doesn't get around much. How about the big fancy telescope
that has been mismanaged?
President Obama's 2012 proposal lists more
than 200
programs that he wants to cancel or cut, for billions in savings.
If Reagan was so good, why then did he increase national debt by 188.6% over the life of his terms?
Bornagain--Just hate that First Amendment, don't you. Typical Lib--suppress dissent, shout down opposing opinions, encourage one-party rule, vilify the opposition. Priceless!
By the way, Boehner lied again about half of the 2% being small business owners. On November 9, his aide Richard Steele said as much, but Boehner did it again. I've done the research and posted it and I'm getting tired of doing this. So, go to FactCheck.org that skewers the lies of both Dems and Reps and look it up.
Ah yes, midterm elections......republicans driving themselves over the "ELECTION CLIFF" go faster boener weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Boehner...I am sure your a Nice person as a Whole...The Voters that Voted you in to Office must be very disappointed with you...Forget about the Tax Cut..
Your making EVERYONE LIVES very difficult and you feel no Pain...Why...You have the money like Donald Trump...but both of you guys have NO CLUE to what the 47% are feeling...
$400 for us feels like $40 to you...
If I could, I would Vote you out of Office Immediately rather than wait for the next elections to get rid of your Ass...
You and your Colleauges are definely the problem...Maybe in numbers we can Impeach YOU Boehner and All your other Buddies...You have NO Interest in Changing...Your NOT EVEN A PLAYER but a Awesome Obstructionist to make the lives of other difficult...Your such an AH...
Its Bubba
Why would they be disappointed? Didn't they elect him to stand up for what he believes in and the positions upon which he ran?
Put, hey they got elected to stand up for THE PEOPLES' BELIEFS, NOT HIS AND GROVER NORQUISTS
Lets be fair: I am all for tax all families and no tax credit for any family. That is how we can have the money to pay for social services. No more words fighting please.
Or we could cut the social services.
Okay, are you part of the 2% or the 98%?
Not fighting, just so tried of NO ONE having the Balz to move People out of the way to make change for everyone...
You know exactly what I am talking about but your skirting the issue too my friend...It called Integrity and Value...
Lets keep having the Oil companys keep making Millions or Billions in Net Profit...while the 98% struggle and Die...
Its Bubba
Correct so tell me whats wrong with this picture...
We Allow it to continue...I really dont care how much someone is making...if its 40 M and year its okay but now its coming out of my pocket...
So its time for me to fight back and get back what was once mine...
Its Bubba
President Obama,
If your the President and Commander & Chief its time to over rule decisions regarding Boehner and his Monkeys...
I was Always under the impression the the President has the final say to what makes sense...Here's your chance buddy...
Its Time to let the Big Dog Breathe...Do what is right before it a Huge Problem for others...
Its Bubba
Boehner is a f098head!
Beaner is an a$$hole and doesn't give a d@mn about the people of this country just as long as he delivers returns to the rich people who bought and paid for him!!
I just can't believe it. Old Boner is at it again. If he made lss than 200,000 a year I am sure he would want a tax break. I think all these knotheads that are suppssed to be leading the country need to have a salray cap of 65,000. a year and pay thier own medical. Then lets see how fast things would turn around. Bet it would happen overnight. In the meantime we are going to be lead down the wrong road again& there is nothing we can do about it. How unfair. Screw 'em all I'm moving out of this country just to escape the BS that is allowed to happen to the middle class economy everyday. Bye Bye!!!!!!!!
Why is NO ONE talking about instating a FLAT TAX RATE for all citizens and business? It would be the most fair way to go. Zero deductions, Rate somewhere between 15-19%. All income is taxable, INCLUDING ALL ENTITLEMENT INCOME. Also, You can only receive 2 years worth of entitlement money in a 20 year period, with the exception of SS for citizens over 65.
Part of problem solved, EZPZ
http://money.cnn.com/2011/02/14/news/economy/wacky_budget_cuts/index.htm
In the context of Obama's $3.7 trillion budget plan, these programs are
small-fry. The budget, which is likely to face stiff resistance in Congress,
takes a big bite out of domestic spending and would slash deficits by $1.1
trillion over the next decade.
Two-thirds of those deficit cuts would result from spending reductions, while
a third would come from an increase in tax revenue, according to senior
administration officials.
HEY WILLIE, that 47% you speak of pay no INCOME tax because they make squat, not enough to pay income tax...
BUT, they pay much more than that in other taxes..but hey, I would tell you what all those other taxes are, but you will deny it..
After all, Fox didnt tell you
WOW ! Where did THAT piece of "artful thinking" come from ?????
Are people REALLY that mis-informed ? Scares the He!! outta me !
Vote 'em ALL out in '14 !!!
nah nah nah nah GOO-OOOOD BYE !!!
2014 is to late...They need to be On the Bus or Get the hell out of the way...
Changes would be good for All except the top 2%...Some have worked very hard to appreciate their Wealth others...It was passed down to them...for those they have No Clue..
The American People are so tried of excuses they want results or be GONE!!! I really didnt want to Vote becauce of the Politics that is taken place...
We don't have a Voice unless you have MONEY>>>Period...Lets be honest
Its Bubba
Dorfy
Ridiculous!. WHO IS PAYING FOR TWO WARS WE HAVE BEEN FIGHTING FOR ALMOST 10 YEARS? Mr. Boehner, you voted for these wars. How do you propose to pay for them? They are above and beyond normal operating expenses, so that does require more revenue! Truman did it. Eisenhower did it. Carter did it...they raised taxes to pay back what was spent.
The defense budget has DOUBLED since Reagan won the Cold War. Defense is a great area to cut spending. Easy to do. Viable too - as no one ever paid for these wars .
Bring the troops home. 75% of them from all over the world. Are we imperial USA? Name another country that has more than 5 bases overseas? Why are we paying civilian contractors 3 times as much as soldiers? Why are we maintaining bases, swimming pools, shopping and security overseas when these folks can come home, spend time with their families, it would cost the taxpayers 1/3.
Don't force anyone out. Have them come home and help guard schools, secure ports and transportation, station some on the border instead of building ridiculous walls, care for their own needs like eating, washing, etc instead of contractors. Have them care for other veterans who have been wounded, support the medical care system - providing services to lower the cost of medical care for those working for wages below poverty level, save these soldiers and their families for real conflicts while normalizing their daily lives. The cost of the force would be 1/3 of what it is now.
Cut several already identified weapons systems that are obsolete and the Pentagon says are no longer needed. Stop investing in weapons designed for the Cold War, and improve weapons for the 21st century. The USA spends 20 times what the next country spends on defense...and our country is exhausted and broke from spending and not paying for military projects and escapades.
Everyone who voted for the Iraq & Afghanistan wars - raise your hands. That probably includes McCain & Graham. Now US government - send everyone with their hands raised an invoice for payment of the debt they incurred - maybe a flat 5% on gross income for 5 years. Then we can see who will raise their hands next time. Two wars on a credit card? Where in all the GOP blathering do you see a plan to pay back the war bill AND balance the budget. Everyone in this country needs to pay for the wars they cheered for.... maybe they will think before cheering next time...
POST OF THE YEAR!!! AGREE 10000%%%
Seems like, if the GOP won't accede to raising taxes on the rich, then just focus on fixing the sequester and let taxes rise on their own accord. At least our government could address some of the spending problem that they have been ignoring for over a decade.
Senate, 4 years...
How about never...Well the Clinton Admin was Good...everyone was part of the solutions...
I will always Vote for the Person that is not afraid to make decisions...Good or Bad...As long as Everyone has a Voice compromise will always be a Huge piece of our Lifes...
Its Bubba
There is this GOP myth that those making over $250,000/year are the "small business owners who drive the economy." When these folks pay less taxes they have more money the economy thrives... NONSENSE... they keep the money! That money NEVER trickles down! However, when those of us making less than $250,000 have more money in our paychecks we go out and BUY STUFF!! We stimulate the economy. Speaker Boner and the GOP need to realize that their old-school policies aren't working for them anymore and they need to change if they ever have any hope of being taken seriously in future elections.
US firms hoarding $2 trillion
Corporate America is sitting on a colossal $2 trillion in cash -- $1.4 trillion in the S&P's top 20 alone -- but that does little for the public.
Depending on whom you talk to, it's either a huge rainy-day fund if the economy heads for a double dip, or it's top executives feathering their nest in order to grab huge year-end bonuses.
"It's enormous by historical standards," Howard Silverblatt, senior index analyst at S&P told The Post, describing the staggering scale of the unspent corporate bundle. "The $963 billion is more than the recent government incentive and stimulus spending."
WILLIE, YOU ARE AS IGNORANT AS THEY COME....
ANY INFORMATION THAT ONE COULD POSSIBLY WANT IS AVAILABLE AT YOUR FINGER TIPS...
TURN THAT EFFING FOX OFF AND LEARN SOMETHING
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/hoarding_cash_Yzfk2c8aK1wAPrZCRdEVnJ
Please tell me where all this unspent money from small business is hiding.
WILLIE, this is what i was responding to...
Call me ignorant if you wish, at least Im not stupid as you seem to be
BESIDES, I have proven that ignorance ISNT my problem..
I do my OWN research, I believe NO one source
unlike you
The reason why the Rich are Rich they don't spend and use the Loop Holes to bury the bone...Cleaver you are...
You must be lawyers...Ooops...Hmmmm
The Rich are "Tighter Than A Spoil Of Thread" dont count on them to help move the needle to help the economy growth...
Their Live Style is Awesome...
Bling Bling and More Bling...
Its Bubba
Evidently Boehner hasn't read the Congressional Research Service Report dated Sept. 14th, an Economic Analysis of the Top Tax Rates Since 1945, that indicates taxing the wealthiest does not stifle the economy. Why does he continue to mislead on this topic?
Why not raise it to 100%? I am sure that would be even better.
all i have left to say is get these stupid republican , narrow minded , stuck in the 50's complet fu@@@@@ clowns out of congress so we can actually get something done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Get the super rich & large corporations off of government welfare, take away all their tax breaks & tax loopholes & other entitlements & let our American Capitalist FREE MARKET determine their fate.
Well keep the democrats from continually giving out corporate welfare. Republicans have been for that idea for quite a while. The tea party is all for it.
Only an idiot would combine their personal income with their business income. Always, ALWAYS, incorporate to protect your personal life from your business life.
Looks like the Republicans want to lock down that 2% vote for 2014.
Or they are standing up for the principals that they promised when they were elected. No tax increases until government at least attempts to shrink back to reasonable size.
Put again with the BS..
The only "principals" the GOP are fighting for is Grover Norquists'
Here is the problem I have with all this budget talk. How do democrats get away in calling government spending going from $3.4 trillion to $3.5 trillion it is considered a $100 billion cut, but republicans can't count revenues going from $2.1 trillion to 2.2 trillion an increase?
Nonsense.
Why will nobody take a serious look at changing the tax code drastically and installing a flat tax? I would have no problem paying higher taxes if :
1. I knew everyone was paying taxes not just 50% of the people.
2. All tax loopholes were completely removed from the tax code.
This is just too simple for the members of Congress to comprehend. One sides wants to perpetuate the perception of the rich not paying their share of taxes so they can get votes from the lower income voters while the other side wants to keep revenues lower then expenditures so they can say the other side isn't doing enough to cut spending and also get votes.
I'm not sure this will ever be solved until the American people demand a constitutional amendment for term limits for all members of Congress.
Anyone for a balanced budget amendment yet? We need to force congress to work together. Expecting them to do that on their own is like expecting the Jews and Palestinians to get along.
How does a flat tax work with someone who has no income; and I'm not talking about the poor but rather the very rich. Look at Romney for example. Does he get a W-2 from someone? No. His interest holdings are easily shielded and he can arrange credits, deductions and exemptions (with the help of a competent CPA firm) to avoid any taxation. His only public tax return showed that his tax liability was under 14% which is less than the vast majority of American wage earners. And I'll bet you can figure out why he wouldn't release tax returns for other years. The big accountant firms are paid to hide income and they do a damn fine job of it.