Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Well they know their opponent

Who could have anticipated Republicans on the Super Committee basing their no-compromise position upon past Democratic performance?


Republican co-chair Jeb Hensarling...claimed that if the committee recommended even a dollar of new net tax revenue — the kind of revenue Dems are demanding — it would constitute a step in the wrong direction. He said a GOP plan put forward by Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA) — one which Republicans claim would raise revenues by nearly $300 billion over 10 years, but would also make the Bush tax cuts permanent — is as far as Republicans are willing to go on revenues. But that’s an offer Democrats flatly rejected as unserious.


Instead the GOP intends to let it all fail and make sure there are never any cuts to the military...much to Leon Panetta's ultimate satisfaction (fine messaging as ever Obama Administration). This leaves Democrats in their familiar position of negotiating with themselves.  Now they alone can be seen as failing to obtain any tax increases on the wealthy while further screwing the poor and middle classes.  Despite having the public ostensibly on their side.

Oh, well played Democrats, well played as ever.

[cross-posted at Firedoglake]

6 comments:

Montag said...

Well, lessee, when we were in deep employment trouble in the `30s, the Dems created a bunch of job programs, and boosted the top nominal income tax rate to 91% to pay for it. When WWII started costing us a lot, that rate was raised to 94%.

Now, in the midst of neverending global war (on a noun) and a hugely expensive advanced technology-dependent military--and severe employment trouble at home and huge deficits--the Dems are chipping away at programs for the poor and the elderly and protecting the wealth of the fattest cats in the country, all because the Repugs don't like their Sosh-a-lust President and are being mean.

That's about the size of it, right? Is that it?

Boy, are we fucked....

Anonymous said...

"in the midst of neverending global war (on a noun)"

Bwahahahahha! Good one Montag!

I'm stealing that. Doubt your name will ever come up when I do. Sorry about that.

Montag said...

"Doubt your name will ever come up when I do. Sorry about that."

Ah, well, some of us toil in anonymity....

DrDick said...

I do not know why this would surprise any sentient breathing entitity. Of course that would exclude most of the Congressional Democrats.

Joe Blow said...

doesn't anyone here know how to play this game?

that's where we are at. pathetic attempts resulting in total fail.

will no one tax the rich!!?

pansypoo said...

i prefer the do nothing plan. bush tax cuts die. the bush tax cuts have to die. zombie reagan must die.