(CNN) - Defying President Obama, House Democrats voted Thursday not to bring up the tax package that he negotiated with Republicans in its current form.
"This message today is very simple: That in the form that it was negotiated, it is not acceptable to the House Democratic caucus. It's as simple as that," said Democratic Congressman Chris Van Hollen.
"We will continue to try and work with the White House and our Republican colleagues to try and make sure we do something right for the economy and right for jobs, and a balanced package as we go forward," he said.
The vote comes a day after Vice President Biden made clear to House Democrats behind closed doors that the deal would unravel if any changes were made.
"Wow did the [White House] mishandle this," a senior House Democratic Source told CNN. "Breathtaking. Members have major substantive concerns and they should have gently guided people to the finish line."
Rep. Peter DeFazio of Oregon said: "They said take it or leave it. We left it."
He added the caucus resolution is technically not binding, but believes House Speaker Nancy Pelosi "will follow the wishes of her caucus."
The vote came less than an hour after Obama himself urged Congress to pass the compromise he struck with GOP leaders earlier this week and warned that failing to do it could cost jobs.
"There is an important debate on Capitol Hill that will determine in part whether our economy moves backward or forward," Obama said at an Export Council meeting. "The bipartisan framework we have forged on taxes will not only protect working Americans from seeing a major tax increase on January 1, it will provide businesses with incentives to invest, grow, and hire."
"Every economist I have talked to or read over the last couple of days acknowledges that this agreement would boost economic growth in the coming years and has the potential to create millions of jobs," Obama continued. "The average American family will start 2011 knowing that there will be more money to pay the bills each month, more money to pay for tuition, more money to raise their children," he said. "But if this framework fails, the reverse is true. Americans will see it in smaller paychecks that will have the effect of fewer jobs."
– CNN's Alexander Mooney contributed to this report
From CNN Politics
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great job..!!!! hang tough !!!!!! billionares can handel it....millionares can too....!!! dont let the people down !!!
O-bama...bending over backward to appease the filthy rich is O-nnoying me.
I feel they are wrong. When they had a chance to speak up about these tax cuts, they were silent. Now they want to be heard and it is too late. Yes, the Republicans have them over a barrel but they only have themselves to blame.
At least some Democrats are showing a backbone.
It's about time. Block the bill
This is why Americans gave the House of Represenatives to the Republicans starting in January. The huge spending and deal making and stimulating the Democrats have done over the past 2 years have only increased the unemployment rate.
It's time for a new strategy but purely for political reasons and against the good of the American public and economy the Democrats are too caught up in their own selfishness to cooperate. Sad little people.
Fortunately in January Americans will have a House of Representatives run by people who understand economics.
Who's the "party of no" again?
Good.
The American government is drowning in red ink. There should be more taxes, especially on people making $100,000+/year
this is so absurb...we need our unemployment benefits!!! americans need those to survice while they find a job..pass this NOW
Obama has lost his own party, now. If the US ran a parliamentary government, he would probably get a vote of no confidence now. The two parties are tearing the country apart.
YOU DEMS HAVE BEEN SITTING ON YOUR HANDS FOR MONTHS NOW!!! GET BUSY AND GET IT DONE!!!! I guess the President finally snapped you ALL into reality!!!!!
I'm sure most people will say this that if our taxes go up because you ALL WAITED until NOW to DO SOMETHING then you ALL will be voted out in 2012!!! If the economy grows and jobs are created (those are more tax payers – - DUH)!!!!
I'm sick of this crazy political stuff!!!!!!
I knew the Dems would block it, and Obama knew it too. It was all strategy! Obama knows what he's doing and he's doing it better than anybody, he's smarter better and more awesome than any other president ever!
It seems pointless of a president to negotiate with opposition Congressional leaders, since he cannot guarantee the votes of his own party.
Democrats remind me of Assange,teed off and no future.Most will be looking for a job after New Years.
I am as disappointed by this compromise as anyone. But the House Democrats have to recognize that an extension of unemployment insurance is vital at this point. Because of the Senate's rules, Republicans will always have the ability to hold America hostage in pursuit of benefits for the wealthy. If you don't like it, take it up with the fools who voted them into office.
And here we go again...
so.....it begins....the flogging back and forth....In all honesty folks....this country has been, and will be a broken system, and i don't see an end in sight. Why am i still here? Oh...that's right because i wouldn't know where to start if i start somewhere else.
We only make $85K combined, but my wife and I will be happy to pay our extra $1,200 next year. After this stupid move by Dems, whatever I'm foced to pay is practically a donation to the Republican Party at this point, anyway.
Now who's obstructing, hmmm?
Seriously, I hope this is the end of the discussion. No more unemployment extensions! Tax rates on the "poorest" Americans will be 50% higher next year than they were in 2010! Ha ha! Priceless.
"If we can't punish only the wealthy, we'll punish everyone." Nice work, Dems!
LOL. New tax rates will go into effect January 1st. Then the Republican House will pass a bill, which will also pass the Senate (20 plus liberal Senators up for reelection), thus forcing Mr. Obama to be come the President of No... not. To all the liberals who hate the current structure, wait to see what you end up with! Schmucks.
I guess the rest of the democrats want to be voted out of office in their next election cycle
Wow–Tantrum much?
Wow, did not see this one coming!
Their so-called defiance of the package is NOT based on anyhting other than the fact that the Democraps are belatedly feeling like the GObP's stomping mat. They should've felt this way A LOOOONG time ago, not now, at the eleventh-hour. Aside form risking blowing the package deal, they are also putting the President in a precarious position, and ONCE AGAIN appearing disparate, and hopelessly unhinged, and divided to the electorate.
What is wrong with these people? This lack of unity and of a clear message is exactly what screwed us November 2nd.
Thhis package is NOT ideal, but it is pretty good all things considered, and it surely beats the BLANK that the Democraps have in mind now. Additionally, the importance of Democrats SUPPORTIING the President and standing together for a change cannot be overstated.
Bunch of idiots!!!
So now House Democrats aren't listening to Obama either!? Maybe it's time to pack it in, Barry.
PS. And where is that birth certificate?
As a frustrated progressive, I am excited to see a spinal cord emerge among Democratic reps. Perhaps if this were a natural phenomenon the November results would have been different. Liberal voters lost much faith in the Democratic majority who failed to show any stones for two years, and as a result many progressives failed to show at the polls. I sadly expect this to backfire as their weak knees win out...but I can still have Hope can't I??
I'd just like to say that I am a Democrat now, but if this keeps up, I won't be for much longer. I won't be a Republican either. I want a party that uses common sense to work for the benefit of the American people. If we have to compromise with the Republicans for two years, so be it. If taking a stand causes us to lose the greater good for everyone, the principle behind it is of no value. This is what the Republicans have done for two years. Now I see my party doing it and I am not happy. Work with the President you helped to elect. He is not bad for you. He is a brilliant man that offers a way out of this quagmire.
Wow! You Democrats don't even support your own President! What a complete disaster this administration turned out to be. When you take money from people who will work and give it to those that won't work, sooner or later something or somebody is going to revolt. It is too bad, the President sees this, but not the stupid socialist democrats.
The critical question is, given that the Bush tax cuts have not been instrumental in boosting economic growth over the last 5 years at least, why would maintaining them for the wealthy result in economic growth in the coming years and how would this create millions of jobs? Given the middle class a break and tax the fat cats–the only people that will feel the pinch are the people who can deal with the pinch–or are we not all in this together?
Bye bye Obama... Was a nice 1 term...
From the insulted liberal base, yay! I'm supporting Democrats who fight for us next election not the president.
Queen Nancy Pelosi and her henchmen... the American people know where this revolt is coming from.... it must be hard for her to give up the power...
I gather the demos didn't get the message in November.....
So the lame ducks want another recession. They are so afraid that some rich people might get to keep more of their own money. The democrat's believe it's the government's money not yours. The democrats believe more in communism than capitalism. Taking from those with the ability to pay and giving to those with perceived needs.
Yes, this bill has the POTENTIAL to create jobs, but it's the same policy which has been in place for 10 years. Doesn't the President and the Republicans get the message THIS IS A FAILED POLICY. Nobody wants a tax hike but didn't the Rs, in the last presidential election, run under the banner of Country First? What has changed? Now it's Tax cuts first and Country second. The President better ask Santa Claus for a backbone. The American people are ready, willing and able to take on this fight with the ultra-rich.
I hope this bill fails stick to your guns house democrats
Now who's the "Party of NO"! Way to go Dems!
Well, here we go with "My way or nothing at all.". As employment benefits run out for unemployed Americans the members of both parties will pay for their inability to compromise. If you have not figured it out yet, they are 311,000,000 Americans in the USA and you can't please everyone. Their decision to not compromise for the sake of America is crazy. Neither party has absolute control over the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches of the government. This simply means you can't dictate your political views and you have to do what the framers of the constitution intended. COMPROMISE. Our government is full of a bunch of spoiled brats that throw temper tantrums when they don't get everything they want. GROW UP and work together for a change.
At least some on the left have some stones in their sacks and some sense in their heads. This deal was insane. It was no deal at all, it was a right wing steal.
Un-freakin real! Dems in Congrenss, you better listen up: We have less than 3 weeks before ALL Americans see the biggest tax increase in 50 years, and all of this will be on your watch. No one is getting a damn tax cut here, we are just talking about leaving the current rates, for ALL Americans, exaclty where they are, and have been for the last 7 years.
You can kiss your reelection campaigns goodbye in 2 years if you don't put foward what the President worked out with top Sentate and House leaders earlier this week. I'm extremely conservative, and I don't like parts of the plan that was agreed on, but you will kill this economy if you increase taxes on anyone, especially the brackets where the businesses are.
I swear, I really think our country is in big trouble...
Its only fair to say the Republicans have implanted a chip in the brain of our elected leader President. Now they have full control of the Administrative Branch. The President will surprise everyone with a serenade over the replaciement of Pelozi and the incoming Boner.
Good for them.
Democrats don't have a clue!!!
Finally, some common sense! Screw the millionaire GOP'ers!
Is it possible to sue Congress for negligence?
Good for you democrats!!! Finally do something right!
Thank God there are some Democrats with a spine who refuse to negotiate with craven hostage takers. Obama's obsession with being the cool, detached adult in the room keeps rewarding the GOP for bad behavior. Well, dammmitt, he is still the President and he'd better start negotiating like one, or further erode his credibility as a leader willing to take stands.
Typical Democrats, that don't get their way so they throw temper tantrums and refuse to see that the majority of the American public wants this. Keep living in your narrow minded fantasyland.
Republicans will stop any reasonable package. They are fine with the unemployed going hungry. Truly evil people (who claim to be christian)
Hmmmm, so Democrats are now admitting, they do not care about the "middle class"? My, my, what an interesting turn of events.
Are you serious? This is our lives, not some kind of political game. Why do I even bother to vote, I use to be the biggest advocate that if you didn't vote you have no right to complain. I vote, I see no one helping anyone but themselves. Is this really what our forefathers had in mind. I think the politicians, with their fat paychecks, should be ashamed. I have already lost my home to all this crap, to you all want blood too??
Getting pretty tired of Obama's rhetoric on this one. There is no good compromise between what is right and what is wrong. Kudos to the House members who stood up against this false choice today.
Thank god the DEMs decided to not steal from Grandma. Quit Frankly this is a job killing deal that does nothing more then accelorate the movement of Factories from America to China. The average american can give up a dollar a day to stop this.
Democrats with guts? That's a shocker.
Wow, Democrats with a backbone! There's a new animal!! Welcome!!
I umdetstand the dislike of the high end tax breaks but with that being said we can't make the unemployed working people families and college students pay. I appluad the house democrats principals but its not ti.e to throw the baby out with the bath water
It smells like BO to me.
Glad these democrates are willing to gamble with my tax cuts expiring. Seriously, many people I know will be in deep trouble if their taxes increase. The presidents compromise may not have been what I would have liked to see, but I admire him for having realized that it is the average American that will be hurt if he calls the Republicans bluff and loses. If the tax cuts for the middle class expires on Jan. 1st, good luck in ever seeing them re-instated. I am an independent who had washed my hands of ever voting Republican again, now I am upset with the Democrates who would rather get their way than do what is right for the people.
Good. Giving a two-year tax cut to the rich in return for 13 months of support for people who would otherwise starve is unconscionable. This wasn't a deal, it was an abject failure of morals in the face of a supposed 'threat' – a threat to do EXACTLY what the Republicans have been doing for two years: blocking EVERYTHING.
With this, I think Obama has finally made himself completely irrelevant. Basically, the dems are now saying, "Barack, take these crayons and go play in the corner. The big boys and girls have work to do".
Seeing as barack has made it clear he wants to destroy all support for the poor and middle class this approach makes perfect sense...he gets you with a fake "taxcut" that covers for the gutting of social security, and screws over the middle class to fund unemployment. Once again America's richest escape unscathed and can take their money and start investing Korea tax free.
Hey let's ban Happy Meals and give carbon credits to people for digging in the dirt. Great Ideas! Nancy Pelosi sure knows what the people in middle America want! San Francisco is a microcosm for Americca. bah.
That's what I'm talking about. Finally some folks are showing some guts in Washington.
Don't pass any bill extending tax cuts to the wealthy. We have been operating this country in defidits ever since the Bush tax cuts. It's obvious to most level thinking folks that if it didn't work for ten years there is no reason to think it will worek now.
I'd rather give back my paultry tax cut out of patriotic duty to help our economy. I can say that because I'm talking about maybe $1,200. Now the bush tax cuts for the wealthy is costing $43,000 per 1 million dollars of income. Some of these folks got a tax cut from Bush bigger than the total income for an American faminly in a lifetime. Think about that and then bitch about being fair.
This is further validating that the problems this country are facing are caused by Democrats and Republicans because they cannot see beyond their pathetic ideologies. We need more Independents in government.
Damn! What the heck are these Dems in Congress doing? And don't flame me – I'm a liberal. But these guys, lead by that moron Pelosi, are getting on my last nerve.
Finally! At least some Democrats appear to grow some balls!
The Democrat Congress again is bullying, just like they claim the GOP has been doing in the past (partly true). Who suffers: of course, the American Public, but also the Democrat Party. We certainly will remember this when we have to pay more taxes next year. Fine leadership in this administration and Congress...
You jerks! Do you even know what compromise is? Do any of you have a dictionary? Someone has to be the better man/woman here. Since the democratic house leadership (use that term very loosely) couldn't negotiate their way out a paper bag with both ends open and the wind blowing to show the direction they should go the President decided to do it himself. He decided to show leadership.
My son in law has been out of work and his unemployment benefits have run out Dec 1st. My daughter and him have two small children and we were supporting them as best we could while they were on unemployment benefits. Our daughter has a job but she is one of the "underemployed" in this country (earning less for what she is doing). I do not want to hear about symbolic victories or any other stupid nonsense. Don't you realize that their are significant tax cuts for the middle class and poor in this tax cut package? Don't you realize that if this passes then Obama can say to the republicans that they now own (even though they did before) the deficit and have to work on it with him? Is the Democratic congress really that stupid?
I swear, if I was Obama I would do a Palin. I would be so tired of this crap by now I would not be able to get up in the morning. The democrats know only one thing; don't talk to republicans. The republicans know only one thing; don't talk to democrats. This tax cut deal was the first time in two years that something bipartisan actually was done by the Obama administration and they get their hands slapped.
I said it before and I will say it again. Everyone needs to grow up.
This tax cut structure has been in place since Bush was in the WH. Where are all the jobs it's supposed to create? Why would extending something that hasn't worked so far, work this time around? Bills are passed to help Corporate America, not We The People. Maybe it's time for a revolt?
Looks like the Dems have finally grown a pair.
Obama keeps referring to this deal as "bipartisan". It is NOT bipartisan. The Republicans in the Senate got exactly what they were demanding. They simply didn't care about any of things Obama wanted. If they had, they would have not made the deal. Besides that, several of the alleged concessions that Obama got from Republicans senate leaders weren't really concessions at all. The GOP obviously do not care about the deficit or that 13 more months of unemployment benefits will be unfunded. Their sole objective was to get more money for their wealthy contributors. This is all aimed at building a huge war chest to defeat Obama in 2012. Now, the President has given them even more ammunition to use against him. They will say that they agreed to the deal only because Obama couldn't come up with anything better. They will say that HE exploded the deficit by adding all the other tax cuts, which amount to 2 1/2 times the cost of the tax cut for the wealthy. Republicans definitely took middle class hostage in this so-called negotiation. Obama's mistake was that he caved to the hostage-taker's demands. He could've asked for an 'up or down' vote on unemployment benefits on Christmas Eve. If Mitch McConnell had blocked it he would have become a pariah, just like JImmy Bunning did. The President continues to choose to negotiate with a hostile minority party from a position of weakness, never using any of his authority or bully-pulpit as leverage.
There probably was not enough pork in the bill to satisfy Democratic constituents / campaign contributors. Very sad commentary on Washington.
Wow! Obama said something smart for once.
What did we think was gonna happen. They would hold hands and dance in circles. The house doesnt care about the working people in this country. Neither party wants to work togather and this proves it
So let me get this straight – they're willing to let unemployment benefits expire for millions of Americans AND let everyone's taxes go up when they could have brought these issues to a vote at any time but were too chickens**t to do it? And they think this is going to win them points with the voters? How far up their butts are their heads, anyway?
It's time for a viable third party in this country – between the Repugs being co-opted by Tea Baggers and the Dems being absolutely clueless, we deserve better.
Here we go........yet another glaring example of our government being by the people, but for themselves. I'm moving to Canada.
Robin Hood strikes again. Sadly in this case Robin Hood works for Uncle Sam and gives primarily to those who refuse to work and believe they are entitled. Not those actively seeking work or seeking to make lifestyle changes that will enable them to escape generational cycles of poverty.
Wow again! Second time in as many weeks that the House Dems have surprised me with an increasingly solid backbone.
And good thing too, because President Obama's has all but turned to jelly just as quickly.
Borrow money from china. Middleclass will take their $1,000.00 to walmart and then it's done. rich will invest in Wall Street which in turn will force more companies to outsource jobs to China. Only winner here is China. Mr. President.. we need to invest in the middle class... we need to look serious at trade pacts that do not work for the average American. Personally I would rather pay $199 for a DVD player then $39 if that means Americans go back to work. Our trade should be to our better not to our worse I DO NOT CARE ABOUT WHAT WALL STREET SAYS. Mr. President 100,000 americans and more died to fight communism. Lets not give the Red Chinese Communists our jobs, debt and loyality. Cut spending with a war we cannot win, handout to other countries we cannot afford and military programs that do not work. No more maned space flights etc. Cut the spending and cut trade deals that do not better the american middle class. Giving expensive tax breaks to the wealthy will do nothing. In fact force them to fully pay for SSN get rid of the SSN cap at $106K. Charge them 80% tax on all stock options when a company outsources and we will see jobs here Mr. President. Our people want real jobs, not jobs at WalMart and McDonalds. Thank goodness our dems in congress get it and have a pair.
Looks like we need another election..the Democrats still haven't learned not to defy the will of the American People. What a pity!!!
Here we go again.... The Democrats & Republicans playing school yard games with our lives.... (If I can't get what I want then I will cut off my nose and not give an inch) I say just fire them all and start over...
The Republicans hold major responsibility for this bill. They are willing to hold up a tax cut for 98% of the public just so millionaires and billionaires can get a cut as well. In addition the cut for the rich would add billions to the national debt Their true position of catering to the rich and to hell with the middle class is coming to fruition. Maybe now people will see their party for what they really stand for. They have consistantly voted against helping the unemployed, voted against the 250 to help seniors, voted against making the world safer via the smart treaty, and voted against equally of those in the service by voting against DADT. Shameless.
Bunch of freaking babies in Washington, try all need to grow up.
Once again we have two parties at odds with one another jockeying for power. And once again the American middle class are the ones paying the price. Will is BS on the Hill ever end. I'm so tired of do nothing government. Our congress is no longer working for us and it really really sucks. REAL every day people are hurting don't they see that?
Mr. President. I think you are doing a great job with what you have to work with. But, on this point I believe we need to take a stand. If you give in to blackmailers, they will only demand more.
If you make over $250K per year you can tighten your belt a bit. The wealthy got over 100% of the economic growth that followed the Bush tax cut. Working people actually lost money. Taxes fell, but so did pay. Profits jumped.
To be bipartisan and work with the other side, raise the line from $250K to $300K. Allow some exemptions for small businesses when they create new jobs. But, "pass what we say the way we say it or we will filibuster everything" is blackmail.
I make less than $250K per year. I am struggling to pay bills. But, if the country needs it, I will make it with higher taxes for a while until the bullies back down. My taxes should be going to reduce our debt, fix our roads, fund our schools and support our troops, not to give the wealthiest 5% of Americans more money.
I am a pure dem liberal..but if the dems dont vote for this package and my taxes go up in January its a witch hunt on them...you think they've lost seats in this election ...well just wait and see what happens if they deney unemployment benefits and let taxes raise..bye bye.
I can't believe these words are coming out of Obama's mouth. Did his whole political and economic beliefs change since the election?
Odumbo is a fool lower taxes across the board the more cash we have to more well spend the sooner we spend sooner jobs will be created
I am really getting tired of the politicians acting like children when they don't get their way. I am a Democrat but I also know that this bill was a necessity for the people. Everyone knew that the only way that the unemployment bill would be passed was to compromise and let the tax breaks for everyone stay. But now the Democrats are whining cause they didn't get it all their way, well if they continue to do what they are doing at the cost of harming all those families that are without any unemployment to pay bills or even have a simple christmas for their children when it comes time for elections in 2012 I for the first time will not be voting Democrat. So get off your high horses and do what is right for the people that put you there or you will see and end to your job as well.
So whom is blocking extended benefits for jobless Americans now? Who is blocking tax stability for middle-class Americans now? It's the Democrats ... many of whom were "fired" in the last election. Petulance at its extreme.
I can't keep up. Now the Dems are the parry of "no"?
Put on the boxing gloves, round #1.
This is SILLY! I betcha, they drag this out until 31 Dec and then pass it and then call Obama the HERO....! LOL
Oh for the love of mike....
Good luck to all of you that were just barely getting by. Now you have the Dems to thank for higher taxes, no umemployment benefits and no payroll tax cut. So much for making anymore money so that we can spur the economy.
Way to go Dems! Let the tax cuts expire becuase there will be no spending cuts to pay for this crap!
Tey had (Dems.) 24 months to pass what ever they wanted and now they complain. I am now a former Democrat. I will do everything in my power to see that no Democrat is ever voted into an office higher than dog catcher. I am not rich and this will hurt me. The 2% payrole cut ment an extra $20 a weak I could realy use. I hope every Democrat that has apossed this deal will suffer as much as my family will because of there incompetant arogance.
Democrats, Republicans? Doesn't seem to make much of a difference, no one in D.C. seems to give a damn about the average person WHO PUT THEM THERE. Should isolate both house in rooms and not provide them food, water or toilets until they hammer out a mutually acceptable deal. Let them deal with thier own "crap" for a change.
Pretty sad when your own party won't back you up. One and done in '12, no doubt about it, along with a lot of DemocRATS. I'll love to see how the liberals on here try to spin this one. There was a compromise and your party failed to support it. Yeah way to go. I'd love to be in your house when you do your taxes and see how much extra you'll have to pay. LOL
Well done, at least someone has stood up to the GOP.
VICTORY!!! Next time LD, don't negotiate without Democrates because you lost touch about what really is important!
PS: LD is Obama's new nick-name. It stands for Let Down!
Good. They need to make a real deal and get things done. I'm glad they have some spine.
Fools. This IS a compromise. The Dems get the Jobless Benifits extension they want, Rep get the taxes breaks they want. Perfect legislation. What a bunch of arrogant fools. And the Dems say all Rep want to do is play partisan politics. Kettle and the pot people.
Amen! Selling out is not a compromise. This deal about rich people getting to keep otherwise taxed money will create jobs is a farce.
way to go Democrats! Finally showing a spine...it's a little late but a welcome gesture non the less
The Dems are just doing what they consider to be best for their re-election chances.
Awesome .... the DEMS embarass themselves by not listening to the centrist movement in America.
the begging of the end........nothing is going to happen untill little 2012 election results, and even then stalemate....what a mess we have gotten into Olie.....damn I wish Bush was back with all his wisdom and absense of sense and oversight.
President Obama should be proud of himself for compromising in order to extend tax cuts for non-wealth Americans. Many other politicians, on the other hand, seem to be letting their egos represent us–focusing on winning rather than keeping a broader perspective.
This could get interesting
The Dems will end up getting nothing. Just shows many of them are more concerned with image and a stance than doing something for struggling American people right now. And the American people will remember that moment.For a family whose struggling to keep their lights on, they are not looking at weeks or months, they think in hours and days.
Let it go. A new house will take office next month, and they can pass it.
Obama's arrangement with GOP simply translates to spend more, borrow more. Washington is unchanged.
The Democratic Party wants things their way or no way. That's why they lost so badly in November. We are unhappy with the Democratic rule of this country. Republicans voted no on bills that didn't incorporate any of their ideas, and Democrats vote no if a bill doesn't include ALL of their ideas. THIS BILL IS A COMPROMISE!!! WHAT'S THE PROBLEM DEMS?!?!?!
Does this mean there will not ba any unemployment extesnions or is that diiferent?
And the Democrats still don't understand why they got beat over the head on November 2nd. That's what happens when the likes of Nancy Palosi and Harry Reed are allowed to trash our country because of their Socialist views.
The issue of tax extension for anyone should not even be on the table. The 2nd Bush tax cut was made during what has turned out to be the longest and costliest war in our history. You don't give tax cuts during war, Fighting War 101. It failed to prepare our troops adequately, as exemplified in how military families had fund raisers to send their loved ones basic body and vehicle armor. The Pentagon later admitted was an oversight to not have had those items out in the field BEFORE hostilities arupted, but it came down to this theory Bush had we could run a cheap war, which would allow for the idiotic notion we could give tax cuts during said cheap war. Ludicrous, really bad for America and as we found out its troops and the overall war effort. Dems are missing a big issue that would silence the tax cut extension advocates; the tax cuts are blood money and represent our unwillingness to actually support what we said we supported overwhelmingly when the war began.
prepare for your taxes to go up come 1/1.
You can clearly lay the blame at Obama and the democrats front step
It's amazing how small Obama has become in the last year. Carville was right what he said about Obama not having a pair
It's Bush's fault!
I guess I was wrong, the Democratic house does have some backbone.
No tax breaks for the rich!
This just goes to show that the current president has lost the confidence of his own party. Democrats defied the president, and further weakened their party. I was for the tax bill and I believe any sensible person could. When a minority party regains seats, there opinion by default becomes more valid as they have more power. This is a sad day in America. I hope the Democrats have enjoyed their term, as the GOP will for sure be in the white house next time around, with a GOP congress. I just hope the GOP provides a solid candidate that can get our country back on track, as Bush was a waste and hurt us dearly, as Obama is doing now.
What is the alternative they have .. and why aren't they going after the republicans.
2 year extension OK. Permanent, no way. Including the wealthy, why?
Good for the dems to stop the president. He had strength and gave it away. Shame on him and the republicans who only think of the rich and not the millions who lost their unemployment.
So I happen to be one of the blood letters from the last election. I voted Republican on every ticket in my state though I had voted and even donated to the Obama campaign during the last election. With five children in my household, I can tell you that the idea of my taxes going up now is unpleasant. For those who want to point out first, Hey..five kids, I was a foster parent that adopted my three eldest before being blessed with two of my own. The electorate is angry Democrats, you screw this up, and you'll find out just how mad "we the people" are!
I love it. Give the american public a reason to vote out the rest of the Kenysian democrats. They just don't get it. Let them continue to act as if the money americans keep belongs to the government.
I'm Democrat, I think that our congressman , should stop the political fight , and focus on what is important , to lift our country from the hole that is right now, please vote for the bill the way it is.
More partisan bickering that is damaging our economy and jobs. Congress is causing more damage to America than any terrorist ever could. I am ashamed of all of them and will be voting against every seated incumbent in the next election. Ashamed to be an American with elected representatives like these squabbling five-year-olds.
To all the Democrats, JUST SAY NO. Don't you guys have any fight in you? You must enjoy bending over a lot.
They didn't want to fight before the election and now they want to fight when time is running out.
Any *new* tax cuts without matching spending cuts are pointless and will end up damaging the economy. Extending the bush tax cuts without matching spending cuts is equally horrible. Can't raise them, can't lower them. The only thing you can do is keep them, but cut spending. How come no one is smart enough to figure that out?
The bill wasn't "a compromise". A compromise is when you meet in the middle on something. Obama just caved completely, and gave Republicans everything they wanted.
Good job, Dems. Ya'll just made yourselves look like the idiot Republicans. Way to go to stoop down to their level at a time like this. lol
The voters in American sent a mandate and they never learn, we will vote out the rest of these useless Democrats and Obama in 2012.
Well, I hope that the dems know what they're doing. I certainly don't want to top 1 trillion+ dollars in debt on the US Treasury for $700 billion going to rich people that don't need ANY help! But, the repubs have made it absolutely clear that they refuse to extend unemployment benefits for many americans that need it, and are not rich. So what happens if nothing happens? You've won on principal, yet lost on practicality while millions of families suffer? The rich people certainly won't suffer if middle class america doesn't get unemployment extensions.
I mean, it's a tough pill to swallow, but having millions of families go homeless is certainly not going to help stimulate the economy in any way either.
What do these Democrats have against letting people keep more of their money and extending help to the unemployed.
If there was ever a bigger reason to change the 18th century calendar that allows for a lame duck congress, I don't know what it is. I had the same feeling back in 2006 when bitter Republicans tried to "get even" with their last session before they had to go home and get real jobs.
This time the shoe is on the other foot. These people have lost! Why are they allowed to even have a vote? They should be home, getting ready for Christmas.
The next session of congress after the November elections should include those who were elected in November, no matter whether they were Democrats or Republicans.
The houses decision not to extend the tax bill in it's present form shows how out of touch they really are and that they really do not live in the everyday reality each American does. I think the only way you could wake up a politician at this point is to provide them with the same practice of an everyday business owner. If the company does not make money you don't get paid, you have to get the same insurance we do and you have no expense account. By the way we're restructuring and all of you have to take a paycut of 38% of your current salary for the next 10 years.
Here we go again. Has anyone began to wonder if the politicians in this country are more of a threat to the US then Osama Bin Laden or Al-Qaeda?
Brilliant! Then the income taxes of all Americans get increased and all those whose uneployment was to run out will not see another check. Morons, you lose power in January when the Republicans will cut taxes retroactive to 12/31 and ignore the unemployment situation.
The President warned "his" own party that not passing this bill would cause loss of more jobs so what did they do, they failed to heed the warning and didn't pass the bill.
That is it, I am officially no longer a democrat. Independant is what I will become and that way I can think for myself and pick whomever is right for the job.
Good for them! Prior to these Bush tax cuts, the US was in a surplus and economy strong (thanks to Clinton). Bush made the argument that the tax cut would increase jobs. There was a 0% increase do to those tax cut (that's fact not fiction). I might have been behind it if the wealthy business owners were not allowed to outsource jobs overseas. I am disappointed in Obama.
YESSSSSSSS!
At last, our representatives show some spine. I was beginning to wonder if there was anyone awake in the democratic caucus.
Yahooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!
Absolutely amazing.......at first I thought Obama was being toooo nice. I thought he should take a stand for the other 98%, but I agree it can not be at the expense of my fellow americans who are out of work and depend heavily on the unemployment chk. This is really sad, if someone can explain to me why my/your neighbors, brothers, sisters, others would be considered expendable I'd really like to read from you.
Can nothing get done in Washington? First, the Dems want to compromise and the Repubs say no way. Now, the positions are reversed. There's standing up for your principles, and then there is being obstinate to spite your opponent. The latter is going to hurt America. Thanks, jackwagons, for making my life harder.
Tax hikes brought to you by the Dems
Who's the party of NO?
If the beating the democrats took in November wasn't proof enough that they are totally out of touch with reality, I invite ANY AND ALL member of congress to come to my home for an education on what their stupidity and ignorance is doing to MY wallet. We fought a war over taxation WITHOUT representation, perhaps members of congress would like it if we fought them on the issue of taxation BEFORE representation.
The Democrats are totally falling apart. Who's the party of "no" now, eh?
It is about time the Democratic Congress did something sensible. Sheesh...
nice job dumacrats do just not get it! You will in two years!
What's going on? Can we the people vote by calling in a number and then enter our social security to vote on those issue, Then we will get the real vote, don't we the citizen has a right to vote on issue like that. Don't we the citizen that is in Matter, why we living our lives dependent on some RICH people all they do it's sit down and votes opposite and then go eat and be all friend behind close doors. We failed to vote for Change, and We cannot bring it back but the only way it's to let the US CITIZEN Votes upon those issues.
This is suicidal for House Democrats. Next election they won't even win the number of seats they have.
Let the tax cuts expire Repubs!! I would love for all Americans to get a tax increase thanks to Dems!! I am not considered rich by Obama's criteria and would profit from a middle class tax break but I believe this furthers this class warfare BS that this administration has pursued.. Lets all feel some pain rather than singling out one class to pay more than their fair share just because they are succesful.. Screw these Liberal Dem DA's...
I have to laugh... now who is being obstructionist! Get a grip Progressives, at least Obama can see the writing on the wall, and doesn't want to go down with you. It seems Dems always eat their own eventually.
Not good. I really think the President has a good handle on this issue. All of a sudden the Democrats are the "party of NO."
now will all the libs start calling the dems the party of NO? let's all work together...what a crock these scum dems are
Surrounding himself with holdover republicans and wall street insiders has done Obama in. Now trying to scare the Democrats in congress one of the republicans in Obamas inner circle says we will have more recession if the Democrats don't give the richest of the rich tax cuts. Bull crappy. The rich don't need more tax cuts. If Obama does not clean house and I mean in all the departments in this administration, like the justice department he will continue his down slide. These people are trojan horses who do not want Obama and the Democrats to succeed. Look at the Justice Department official who let the case drop about the attorneys – she was a republican holdover. And look at Holder he is a timid as Obama. What's with these two are they afraid to assert themselves. Obama promised to HELP THE PUBLIC all he has done since he took office is side with the republicans. I think if he doesn't backbone up....he will face a primary challenge and he will loose to that primary person. He is sending the Democrats down the tubes.
If nothings happens with these idiots in Washington, watch the suicide rate go up!
wow. these democrats just wont go away. even as lame ducks they continue to act undemocratically. shoving bills that even they havent read and that we oppose down our throats. and killing deals that all polls now show 60-70% of the public like. truly despots. imagine what the scalpcount will be for the Rs in 2012. dems, please, just go away. with your failed keynsianism. your failed central econ planning. your nanny statism. your amnesty. your everything else. JUST LEAVE US ALONE for god sake. stop trying to "help" us and run our lives. please please. just. go. away.
Hey dems, you just lost me as a voter
Someone didn't get the memo. I thought the American public was pretty vocal in calling for action. I'm really confused!
The United States policy is not to negotiate with terrorists or hostage takers. I commend House Democrats for standing by their values and for doing what is right for the people. I will hate to see taxes go up on the middle class at the beginning of the year, but these are the kind of tactics democrats and the White House will have to use so that the republican fascists don't hold bills hostage. Our national securuty is at stake, and Sen. Kyl is holding the START Treaty hostage.
Its going to be a better deal when 63 less democrats are in power. Obama is such a lame duck and Pelosi and Reid are clueless, raising taxes on anyone in a recession is truly idiotic! Progressives feel that when your successful its the govt. job to redistribute the money to those less fortunate. Its called socialism and it never works. Its a reason you were voted out of power in the house. 53 straight weeks of higher unemployment, what leadership!
Typical democrat mess up. Figures.
...and life goes on.
Finally the Pres actually worked with the Reps (albiet kicking & screaming) and now we see the Dems playing partisan politics ... again, sour grapes I say.
If you can't even lead your own party then you sure as hell can't lead a country. Just goes to show that the dems are equally guity in playing politics just like the GOP. Both parties corrupt to the core.
After reading this, I am grateful that the Democrats will no longer control the ouse in 2011.
"Every economist ..." As if economists are divine or something. The bald reality is that in the US the rich are getting richer and the rest of us aren't. And they don't want to sacrifice anything while the rest must. Greed is not good; greed has become their God.
This is EXACTLY why idiot democrats got hammered in the elections. They are totally out of touch with reaLITY AND ONLY CARE ABOUT THEIR SPECIAL INTERESTS and agenda.
Liberals will eat their own young for self preservation...
"The average American family will start 2011 knowing that there will be more money to pay the bills each month, more money to pay for tuition, more money to raise their children."
So maintaining the existing tax rate means people have more money... I didn't get mugged today so I guess I'm richer! Cool!
Obama is a weak president! I hope the House keep defying him on this.
This is some bullcrap. So the democrats are going to let the middle class suffer by letting taxes increase while we are barley making it. How are we going to continue to survive with increased taxes, higher food cost, higher gas price. Get off your soap box and make the deal happen!!!!!!!!
They shouldn't extend 13 month tax break for the rich. They have already sent most jobs out for out source over sea. And quit frankly I'm tired of talking to people who don't understand while reading a manual to help me over the phone. And I can't understand them. Their should be a stimpulation on this. They need to tax these company for jobs that went over sea and if they want a take brake. Show us first where is the creation of jobs for the US. Because if we give them this. they will keep doing what they been doing noyhing and getting richer.
I'd rather wait until January when the Repubs take the House and then the Tax cuts can be extended for the next 10 years or so; thus business will start hiring agian..., etc. I must say I will miss the 2% decrease in social security payroll tax, BUT the 13 month extension of unemployment will not be granted unless it can be paid for. I'm happy that the Dems xnayed the proposal. However, I do beleive there is a method to the madness.... Now the Pres appears to be for the PEOPLE but those darn Dems won't let him help....It's all about re-election folks. They could care less about the American people.
We need to reform and simplify the tax code, get rid of write offs and loop holes.
Seems to me that these members of Congress that voted against this bill think too highly of their own opinion than those of economic scholars throughout the country. It's a shame they claim to represent the people. Just exactly what people are they representing? Themselves? Perhaps they need an ego reduction.
The president just can't win. He's stuck between stubborn Republicans who push for tax cuts in order to appease their gullible constituents, and stubborn Democrats who push for reform and progressive policy in order to appease their gullible constituents. The Republicans attack him preemptively, have done since he was elected, because they don't want any chance of him getting any credit for economic recovery. The Democrats frequently refuse to support him, have done several times since he was elected, because apparently he's not radical or liberal enough to appease the fringe element in their voter base that pushes for drastic, irresponsible change.
We're all in an out-of-control bus, and our driver is beset on both sides by people trying to yank the wheel to the left or the right. No matter which direction we swerve, we're going to hit something and cause a lot of damage...unless they can be persuaded to leave him alone and LET HIM DRIVE!!!
Finally someone on the hill grows a spine. Thank you. . . finally.
House Democrats will fight to the very end to crush the US economy and grow government. This is just one last gasp for the Pelosi-led infants before they go into well-deserved oblivion.
Our government just does not work anymore. No one works for the people, only for big corporations, the pentagon, and the rich....
What's wrong with Obama?
Pass executive orders to stop tax break for rich folks!
Extend unemployment benefits for few months and expect volunteer work!
Nice work, Democrats: stay classy, as always.
When January comes, the Republican leadership will get the credit for preventing the tax RAISE (let's not call this a tax cut, as it isn't), and both the president and Democratic congress will look like the maneuvering, business-hating amateurs that they increasingly seem to be. The most liberal elements of the Democratic party have chosen to take their bat & ball and go home rather than play by rules that clash with their collectivist mentality.
The first electoral meteor wiped out 63 dinosaurs in the House and 6 in the Senate. The next one in 23 months will erase another wave of socialists. Look for it.
This bill was about compromise and I think both sides gave up something to see the bill through to its current state. Congress should pass the bill and get on with the next order of business. Nobody wants to see taxes go up given the current weakness of the economy. Government is still drunk on spending so reigning that in will have to happen but for now just get it done and move on.
Great News! That deal was in no way bipartisan. It was a capitalistic republican greed based proposal that rewards the rich. That is why we need the balance of socialism from the Dems on the left, in order to counterbalance & regulate the corruption, greed and selfishness from the extreme capitalistic GOP, and protect the majority of american citizens.
I applaud the Dems. for this...finally they make a united stand and say No for once.
This is hilarious! The politicians once again prove they are totally dysfunctional. ....lmao
So much for bipartisanship, co-operation and compromise. Democrats are acting like the new Party of No.
Not unexpected. President should have included House and Senate Democrats in the negotiations with the Republicans. The American people have guaranteed gridlock by shifting the power to the Republicans, so this is no surprise. Maybe a better deal will now be made.
Dana, Deirdre – you had me all excited! Then I went to MSNBC to learn this was a non-binding caucus vote. News is details, not headlines.
So much posturing, so little time ... Just to be clear: I left the Republican Party after Bush put these tax breaks into play ten years ago. It was a mistake then, it is a mistake now. Unfortunately, Obama does not have the necessary 60 votes needed to eliminate the upper 2% tax breaks. Need I remind everyone that come the new year, the Democrats will have LESS ... not more ... bargaining power. I doubt the Republicans will be any more sympathetic to the middle class than they are now. GOPers have been very vocal in their opinions regarding the unemployed and middle class this past election year, and I, for one, am taking them at their word. Either get the necessary 60 Senate votes needed and vote against this 2% compromise, or accept it and get it done before the 31st. Democrats missed a very big opportunity of proving just how corrupt the GOPers are. By immediately turning the conversation once again into an uproar against Obama, GOPers took focus OFF themselves, and as has become the norm for two years now, Democrats fell for it.
I think it is pitiful that people voted Nancy Pelosi and "House Democrats" back into office. I think it should be criminal for them not to bring a vote up on an issue so important as to taxes. It is m belief that the gov't needs to be made to work with a budget, year to year. They should not be able to raise my taxes, essentially giving themselves a pay raise, because they need more money. I need more money too, but I cannot tell my employer what they have to pay me, so I can spend more. The same should be for the government. I think everyone should pay a certain percentage of their income in 1 tax to the government and that is it. Not a tax on everything they get. I think that every America who has a job, pays 5-10% in income tax (a set amount, not to exceed 10%), and that be the only tax and the gov't learn to budget within that. It is a lot of money still. I think that all taxes on inheritances should be erased. That is someones gift from a relative and taxes have already been paid on it when the relative earned the money. I especially do not think the govt is entitled to 55% (Thats over HALF folks) of someones inheritance or earnings.
Can these pathetic, overpaid, unrealistic nitwits just get along and do something constructive? All this does is open the door for a rebellion of the people. Civil War2, anyone?
No way No how should the people that caused this recession get rewarded with a tax break. Ponzi schemers, frauduent loan underwritter and wall street needs a break. Get real republicans. Get your priorities straight. So called deficit hawk may be able to fool tea trailer republicans, but not me.
You would think by now Democrats might have gotten the message namely that Americans are sick and tired of the damage their party is doing toward the economy. It appears that no positive action will be taken until 2011 when Republicans take control of the House negating the ignoramus who is temporarily speaker of the House. In some ways it's just as well. Unemployment benefits should not be continued indefinitely and Republicans should never have given in on this issue. Just a free ride for another year for those too lazy to look for work. And two years of promised tax freezes is insufficient time for businesses to motivated to expand and create more jobs.
Kind of nice to see the Democrats have a spine.
Wow, Obama is proven completely useless at this point. How can anyone take him seriously any more?
Obama – best Republican President we've ever had.
Headline should be: "Obama defies house Dems, put American people first"
Democrats – the new party of NO!
Tail = Economy / DOG = Government
Republicans = Tail wags the dog
Democrats = Dog wags the Tail
When too many people speculate on the market it there will be no stability. The government is the safety net, without it our world would crumble like it attempted to do so in 2008-09. Did everyone forget why we voted the Democrats in, in the first place? If we bankrupt the government to stimulate the economy and the economy fails, the country in fact will fail.
The democrats first proposal WAS a compromise. I say let them expire so the government, WHO WE ALL RELY ON, get it's feet back on the ground.
I guess we know who is in charge of the country now. It isn't Obama ... it is Pelosi and the Republicans lol.
Oh & 1st!
Excellent work everybody! Don't bother helping anyone!
Thank you republicans and democrats for being so stubborn. I am poor. I don't pay taxes no matter the outcome. But if the rich and middle class pay more taxes, I'm assured of continuing to get my welfare and food stamps every month while kicking back on the big island of hawaii in paradise while the middle class and rich foot the bill. Again, keep up the good work of doing nothing...thats what I do
Leave it to Pelosi to screw amerika again. Until the dems dump this loud mouthed broad, the dems and the country will never succeed. Taxes should be fair for all – but to be honest, being unemployed for a year or more is the fault of the unemployed to stuck up to take the jobs available. How come the mexicans still sneak over the border daily and can find a job in a few days? Interesting huh? Sounds like we just have lazy unemployed riding the gravy train. No more benefits! Get off the couch and work!
This is exactly what the Dem caucus should do. Republicans presenting everything as do it our way or we won't support it and holding extending jobs and START Treaty hostage so they can give the rich billions of dollars in charity for the rich. Let it expire it will hurt the country but the Dems have a back bone and the Republithugs better get used to dealing with a stronger Dem Caucus. The Blue dogs who supported the Republicans were almost all voted out last election why should the dems listen to them.
Has anyone ever heard of compromise for the greater good?! This party separation is really starting to get me frustrated...nothing is going to get done if people are more loyal to a political party than our national well-being.
Are you kidding me? Who's hold who hostage at this point?
When will republicans and Obama learn that tax cuts for the rich do nothing to stimulate the economy. They only make the rich richer.
what this also shows: obama has NO juice left. zero. zip. nada. he is indeed a non-factor. from now til his end. no capital at all. with 4-5 dem senators (or more, manchin, tesor, liber, etc) basically voting with the Rs in 11-12, the Ds have titular control of senate but mcconnel has effeftive control. and with both houses of congress run by Rs and the house waging that dog, BHO will be veto'er in chief. until the rising tide of the "people" forces him to act. he's the hostage now. and the american people are free. and he better get used to folding up that veto pen. and folding his hand. if he wants any chance at all of term 2. but thats only going to be a vision in his narcissistic noggin pretty soon.
It's like Kieth Oberman pointed out;
-said in my own words.
Obama should have just let the bill die. The Republicans don't want to (directly) be blamed for cutting unemployment insurance so they could be bullied into a non-pandering bill. Then, when they get in next year while he doesn't have the power to force anything through thanks to his pathetic appeasement, he DOES have the power to VETO everything unless it's what he wants. They don't have enough control to overcome a veto. Eventually enough "Critical Spending" will pile up and they'll have the choice of either giving some progressive stuff through or throwing the country in a real loop that'll hurt everyone including the elites who buy them.
And who said that politics was the art of compromise...
. This is why as a republican and an immigrant from a socialist country I emailed my representatives and asked them not to work with the democrats in the lame duck. The "all we want to do is compromise, work together, hold hands and work for the middle class" is a populous speech that I use to here everyday. I was very discouraged with my party in the 2000's but hopefully we primaried enough of these big spenders to cause a change. Blue collar democrats and conservative republicans are not the problem in washington. The poverty pimps and big spenders are.
My opinion, in a perfect world, I would end the tax cut for every earner over 1 million and put a cap on unemployment benefits at 2 1/2 years.
It is awsome to watch these Democrats self-destruct.
Obama has zero mojo, now. his own party just mad a complete imbecile o0ut of him and eliminated any political capital he had left. He can forget re-election.
So a bipartisan compromise was obtained and now the Dems in power reject it. No wonder America rejected them this last election.
I cannot believe these people. The middle class is hurting and needs this tax cut. If we're getting one then the rich deserve one too. Quit kicking things around like this is some kind of sporting event. Pass the legislation, extend the tax cuts, and start working on cutting the ridiculous amount of government spending. Social security needs to go (since my generation is paying heavily into it and won't see one thin dime) and defense spending needs to be seriously reviewed and "trimmed" to put it mildly.
Democrats and Republicans are equally to blame for the mess our government is in. I wish the last elections had truly cleaned house and voted a slew of "no-partiers" into office. Here in Florida, the Democrats are pandering and the Republicans are crooks. All these idiots care about is how their party looks on the score card. Nobody has the interests of the citizens of the United States at heart.
Nice. The Dems in the House have been the only liberal group to stick to their convictions since Obama was elected. Obama is wimpy and gives up concessions to the GOP before even sitting at the table with them. The Senate is a mess and barely functions anymore because of the fillibuster rules in place. The House passed over 150 bills that died because the Senate is useless. We need more people who are willing to stand up for what they believe is right in office. You always see the GOP walking in almost perfect lock step. The Dems have to either get the fillibuster rules changed or learn to be tough like the GOP or they might as well give up on anything they may ever want to accomplish for the US.
This is outstanding news. In a deficit such as this giving tax breaks to millionairs and billionairs was outrageous.
Congratulations to the Democratic caucus for having the only good judegment in Washington. Now it's up to Nancy Pelosi, who should follow the recommendation of the Democratic caucus. There may actually be some hope left for the Demcratic party.
No way No how should the people that caused this recession get rewarded with a tax break. Ponzi schemers, frauduent loan underwritters and wall street needs a break. Get real republicans. Get your priorities straight. So called deficit hawk may be able to doop tea trailer republicans, but not me.
Wow!! Talk about a parting blow! Congratulations to the house for standing up to the rich. The GOP makes threats just like the rest of the terrorists who hate America, so it's high time we stop caving into their demands. Remember folks, the GOP got us in the mess that we are in. Guys like Lebron James and Tiger Woods will still survive with an increase. 2% of Americans should have higher taxes. If those 2% managed their businesses the way they should have, we wouldn't have lost so many jobs. It's high time they pay their fair share.
Again looks like the Dems refuse to hear what the voters say...66% are in favor of this deal. They are acting like sore losers.
Three cheers for the House Dems! That will show Obama, try and throw his base under the bus. I don't think so.
The Dems are really being a bunch of ignorant horses backsides! What part of "the deal will unravel if anything is changed do they not understand"? And do they really think they have the power to do that? The deal expires in just a few weeks and they're leaving to go on recess before then and when Congress reconvenes they will have lost a good number of Senate Seats as well as complete control of the House. They are really pissing me off.
I hope Repubs go back to the negotiating table and require 4 years before the tax cuts expire on those making over 250k and reduce the death tax rate to 10% after the first 10 million!! Would serve these Liberal Dems right... Play hard ball Repubs!! Make them pay more for blocking this deal... Make them cry more than they have been!!!!!!!!!
Let the tax cuts expire. We cannot afford to extend tax cuts when we borrow 40 cents of every dollar the government spends. To borrow more money from China, I say not. We have had these tax cuts for eight years, and I don't think they have helped us a bit. The only thing that they have done is widen the gap between rich and the middle class. Let them expire.
The President, trying to be more progressive and moderate, now has his own party taking a hard stance. This is very similar to the GOP's hard line position. President Obama is trying to move things forward, and I give him credit for that. Now, the Dems and GOP are preparing for battle at the sake of the American people.
I am a liberal, proud of it. But lets be real, why did the Democratic leadership in Congress wait this long to begin with? The truth is, we all saw a GOP victory in the last election materializing many months ago, yet the Congress waited and waited. Now, President Obama has little leverage and with the deadlines almost upon us, didn't have much to work with, thanks to the Congress! Shame on Pelosi and Reid, for not addressing this much earlier! Now, they are working to ensure a GOP victory in 2012!?? FOOLS!
How bout cutting spending 10 percent a year until your at 50 percent of fed govt. Eliminate fed pensions. Let them rely on soc security like everybody else. We are starting to sound like europe
Awesome! Finally the Dems show they have some b@ll$! There's no way we can reduce the deficit and maintain these tax cuts for the filthy rich. The Republicans should have passed the Democratic bill that extended tax cuts for those making over $1 Million. We know who the really represent now: billionaires! And that is all.
Is everyone in this city worthless
I am sorry, but $15.00 a week in my pay check does nothing... My husband did not work for almost a year and has taken a job for less money the unemployment. The Reps do not care about the middle class and never will, remember you voted for them The trickle down does not work for me!!!
This party has NO cohesion! Bush could've jumped off a cliff and every Republican would've been totally behind him. Dems are so divided and weak in their message! American politics – a big joke! Nothing but sound bites and posturing.
So now we are going to raise taxes on everyone, Republicans can blame the Democrats, and because of the increased revenue they will appear to lower the deficit. Way to go Dems!!!! Really did you not see this coming??? I hope everyone enjoys being a conservative because with every decision these morons make it's more and more likely we are all going to be spoonfed conservative ideology the rest of our lives.
Look hard at the vote count for those that will remain after January 1,
keep a list and vote that list out of office at the next opportunity...
If we, in the middle class, end up without the existing tax cuts that
were set up by the Bush administration and the proposed additions
from the White House, the Republican "Tsunami" in the recent election
will look like a bathtub ripple compared to the next election! Trillions
for Healthcare jammed down our throat, and ego-driven rejection
of a tax package that is given economists stamp of approval for
benefiting the economy...Vote them out!!
So now the Democrats are the obstructionists? What a cluster-f$%k. I sure do wish there was a way to reboot the system and throw every one of these dolts out of Congress.
Tell me about having more money in my pocket for tuition. I need it as the government sees in it's infinite wisdom to loan big business and banks money at less than 1% yet they want to charge me 9% for a student loan. Tell me how that works! Before I graduate I will already owe more than twice the amount of the tuition cost when I make my fist payment. and if I follow the payment schedule as it is now I will end up paying three times the cost of the tuition before it is paid off.
Those same banks will pay about a total of 8% on the original amount.
Another example of how the government is set up to benefit the rich.
American middle class are hurting for jobs, losing their houses, and we have silver spoon and grey poupon individuals outsourcing labor and getting a tax break. Perhaps this sends a message to the commander in chief to stay the course and maintain his focus on his priorities... the middle class. Let the Republicans hold off on tax policy because of their staunch support of bailouts for the rich. They will have to answer for it during the next election.
Bravo Dems! That is a strong message to the GOP to stop using their pressure tactics. As for Obama, I think he will take this opposition from his own very sportively. I can't wait to hear the GOP response!
It's about time we've stood up to the Republicans. They said take or leave it. We left it. There move. Let the chips fall.
The current admin is screwing up everything that has worked in the past.
Another fight of Titans, but the common man will be suffering.... All rich politician they have no clue what happens in the common man's life....
Both parties are just pathetic. Pure Pathetic.
The guy finally tries to do something good and his own party becomes the "Party of No" they've spent the last two years LOUDLY whining about? Where's the media mockery and outcry about this one? The Dems block something so obviously they're right, regardless of what their 'leader' actually sought out bipartisanship to do?
way to go let the bush tax cuts expire bush created them you can creat a tax cut package afterwards tha fits the country's needs. don't be pushed around stand your ground. now thats the guts tihis country is looking for in leaders. remember the party of no look at them now. they didn't have a plan then and they still don't.
Compromise is required for a functioning democracy. Give a little, get a little.
The media is encouraging a lack of compromise. As a result, the country is facing death by a thousand cuts.
I am willing to pay higher taxes if that what it takes to make the USA number one again. How can we lead other countries when we can't even pay our own bills?! The GOP is hypocritical to say fix the economy, but let the rich stay rich.
No Barrack obama. $20 a week deosn't help anybody do anything except purchase one or two more chinese made chackis a year. Npothing NADA...... we're done with that. 60 to 70% of the American people want to pay down the debt. You wanna save some real money? Bring home the troops. And I'm not even an anti-war sorta democrat, but we as a country have had enough of this ridiculous sharade that somehow you're a democrat.
Why don't you go ahead and run as a Republican next go araound.
Evidently the Democrats have a very short memory. The last election was just over a month ago. THEY LOST 63 SEATS.
Deal? What deal, Joe? The R's got what they wanted for their wealthy donors, and the D's got... only what the country demands for low to medium income earners. I hope the house Democrats will push a bill that lets the tax cuts for the wealthy expire, and reinstates the estate tax. If the Republicans want their version of the bill, then they can take it up when they have the gavel next year. Don't hand them this to them like the president did...
"Every economist I have talked to or read over the last couple of days acknowledges that this agreement would boost economic growth in the coming years and has the potential to create millions of jobs," Obama continued...
Obviously Obama has not read Paul Krugman recently.
well, well, well
somebody didn't "cave" in
Everyones taxes will raise now, it is too bad that the democrats will not let the tax increase pay off the national debt, instead it will go to more social welfare programs and to Obama Care since they knew that it was not deficit neutral when they passed it in the first place.
Either way the sky won't fall, the sun will still rise and the rivers flow...
Better stop the not paid for spending now than keep distributing freebees with interests tagged on later.
Thanks for the tax increase, Democrats and Obama!
This is the one bill brought up by President Obama that I am glad was defeated.
Sorry Prez, the second you proposed a tax cut for Joe Schmo making $500 million a year, you lost us. Pz out man!
Wow, My paycheck will definitely be affected. However, The President should not cave to Republicans saying that they will not work in the congress to pass other measures if one issue does not go in their favor. Open your mouth up and let the American people know what other measures they refuse to work on. All they have talked about is the national debt and if they want to increase that debt on the backs of the middle class bye extending this tax cut for the wealthy that is ALL the White House and democrats should be talking about. We the people hate blatant hypocrisy and being made a fool of.
Happy to hear the Dems found their voices!
Make the temporary tax cuts extention only effective for one year just like the UI extendtion, NOT 2 years as it is currently.
And what is up with decreasing the 2% tax for SS contributions? Did I miss something and SS no longer needs every dime it can find?
The estate tax help 39,000 families who do not need it, back to the old formula.
And for the record, I would be happy to give uo my tax cut to cut back on the 900 billion, because we simply cannot afford it and it is irresponsible.
Keep fighting the fight House Dems!
About time Congress stood up. I'm only sorry it took them so long.
The bill needs to be reworked and leave the estate tax along. They also need to raise the taxes on the rich. They are the ones who have made millions on the backs of the working men and women of this country and it is time they pay their share of the costs.
Let me get this straight. President Obama laid out a plan so my payroll tax will go down and my paycheck will go up starting in January, and it is being shot down by the House Democrats? What does he need to do to help the middle class in this Country? I cannot afford to lose another $100 per paycheck anymore. The middle class is stretched to the max and cannot afford another charge on our payroll. The Bush tax cuts shold not include every person in America any longer. It should only apply to the majority of the population that makes less than $250K. $100 a paycheck is 5% or my take home pay. $100 for a person taking home $250K is less than 1/2%. I am tired of the middle class getting punked by the Republicans. Obama is trying to reach a mid point and help the middle class and he gets blocked. If this keeps up, I will need to cancel our phone line and turn the heat down even more.
Let the rates go back up and have Reid gridlock the Senate until the Republicans agree to debate the middle class tax break that the House already passed. If they want to hold up the tax cut for 98% of the public to protect their top 2%, let them do it and see how they fare next election. When they take control of the house let them pass their own bill for those top 2% and let it be debated separately.
How nice. House Democrats have an opportunity to extend billions of dollars in tax cuts for middle class households and to extend unemployment payments for those who are without work in this economy.
But they won't do it because they won't compromise on the issue of tax increases for the wealthy. In a little more than one month after a "shellacking" in an election, they've become "the Party of No." How the wheels turn.
About time the Democrats grew spines. It's a shame it had to be against their own President and not against the GOP directly for the past 4 years, but when Obama stands with them, it's what you gotta do.
Well.....America you got two wars that have cost trillions on trillions and now it is time to pay up. You wanted that mini mansion, boats, smartphone with 2yr contracts and it is time to pay up. This is America and nothing comes without a price and it's to bad many Americans to not understand that.
A sincere thank you to the House of Representatives! The package was financially irresponsible, and a further strain on the economy. How long do we continue to mortgage our future before inflation and interest rates shoot through the roof ala 1970's? Allow tax cuts to expire for those making over $250k; they're obviously well off financially, and the millionaires of this great country are fiscally responsible enough to understand the long term repercussions of continuing the negative balance sheet of our government on the country.
I agree that they should NOT pass Obama's compromise. Don't get me wrong, I'm not one of the members of the lib base who hates Obama all of a sudden, I'm more mad at our useless Dem senators who don't vote like Dems and force Obama into these positions. But this plan, while good for the unemployed, shouldn't pass. The Repubs may be holding the middle-class hostage, but how about we do the same? We're the majority right now. What we should do is threaten to let them expire for everyone and be obstinate about it. If the Repubs are genuine about their own "commitment" to the middle class tax cuts, they'll come around to our side. Of course, the issue is that the Repubs are smart enough to know that the Average American will blame Obama and the Dems for his middle-class tax hike even if the Repubs are the reason it happens, so they could just let that happen because the interests of the country do not supersede the interests of their own party's ambition and lobbyist friends.
First it was the Republicans that were going to keep us from keeping our tax cut, now it's the Democrats. What confirmation that these folks are just in it for themselves and of course we will be the ones who suffer because of it.
They act like their doing it for "The American People", but I think it's pretty evident that is not the case. It's all about politics and power, and little or nothing about "The American People". We are actually just their dupes (Republicans and Democrats).
Maybe since it seems so difficult for them to do their jobs, we should stop voting for either party. Maybe it's time for a third or fourth or fifth party. Lord knows that both sides have had majorities and the presidency in the last 20 years and neither party has been able to parlay that advantage into much meaningful work.
No more Republican and Democratic strangle holds on our government, term limits and mandatory retirement might prevent some of those people being in office so long, they've practically grown into the furniture, and many have long ago forgotten who they are there to serve. If that was ever really their intent. Maybe they all just consider us morons to be manipulated for their own purposes.
I have no confidence in the ability of any sitting congressman or senator to do a competent job. It's time to clean house people. Not just keep going back and forth between two wretched alternatives. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. It's time to quit doing the same thing.
Great! This is the end of the Deomcratic Party. They are trying to steal the hard eearned money from regular folks. When did a family making $250,000 become millionares? LISTEN DEMOCRATS, IS NOT YOUR MONEY TO TAKE!!!
Go House! This President should be voted out.. I can't believe I voted for him. Doe he not know how to do anything? He should've kept on with the tax cuts for everyone but the wealthy. If the republicans then knocked it down, then have all democrats just keep repeating over and over that the Republcian party is the reason your cuts are not continuing. Same thing for Unemployment, if republicans knock that down- just keep repeating how they only want breaks for the wealthy. The either way he wins. If they vote it down, he will will be getting extra money and can use it to begin digging the country out of this mess. And yet still blame the Republicans for not giving the tax cuts or the unemployment benefits. And next election, people may vote them out. OR If they vote for it, then he gets what he wanted in the first place.
The Dems just proved that it is far more important to them to try to throw the so-called rich under the bus than it is to hold the line on taxes for the middle class, extend unemployment benefits and impliment actions would would create jobs. This is just why many of them were voted out. The new Congress can't start soon enough.
For all these people criticizing the President is ridiculous.I am very upset.This president is trying to help america get on track and have his own party not supporting him.This president is trying to approve america and cant get work done because people in his party dont have faith in his decision is exactly the reason why this country is failing because important bills that need to be passed cant get passed because people are just arrogant.I am in middle class and I agree with the president this will help everyone for now but he has 2 years to get things in work he trying to do what has to be done if he dont he will have 2 million people that are unemployed in a bad situation but democrats in his party claim they are worried about americans the truth is they not.They worrie aout rich getting rich if they worry about getting rich and worry about middle class and unemployed getting poorer .obama I support 100 percent.Hopefully I can work in your party and show dedication because its lacking in your party.
When Obama announced this deal, he made it sound like a done deal. Now supporters are getting hit from both the left and the right while the clock is ticking to the end of the year. No one wants to see their taxes rise as the ball in times square falls. Everyone needs to relax, pass this bill, so we can get at least some stability in the economy, and then worry about the other specifics in the next congress. please read more on the tax cut deal at nathaniallance.wordpress.com
The conventional wisdom seems to be that Obama got fleeced in the tax deal. I think it's the Republicans who got fleeced. Obama got jwhat amounts to @ a $700 billion stimulus package most of which benefits the middle class. The richest taxpayers can be dealt with later and will have to be since there is no practical way to reduce the deficit by only reducing spending – something that will be clear in two years. The temporary tax breaks for the rich is a very small price to pay for what Obama got for the middle class.
Democrats lol Im surprised they are foolish enough.to.clearly take blame for a poor decision and display of stubborness hopefully people will.vote republican sooner than later.
And there is the problem with the Democrates. Even when Republicans disagree with their own Republican President they would always stay together. The Democrates love to shoot themselves in the foot. This time they look like the bad guys here.
Ha ha! Government is for personal entertainment only.
Both parties are "kicking the can down the road" but, I think the deal is probably a means to an end. The economy is slowly improving and a tax hike right now on average incomes, would likely be horrendous. I think the Republicans will come to regret their greed and duplicty – especially since the likes of Warren Buffet, Bill Gates Jr and Sr are quite willing to part with a larger share of their income to try to reduce the deficit. The president is damned if he does and damned if he doesn't. The extremes on the right and the left are going to be the ruin of us all if the moderate middle doesn't get a grip and speak up. Shame on Boehner and McConnell – they must thing reality started last week and people don't remember who put us in this mess.
And THAT is why the Democrats lost the House.... Hope they have someone else to nominate for President in 2012 because this partisan infighting will deliver the White House to the Republicans if Obama is the Party's nominee. Why can't Congress just get to work, pass a budget and focus on making life better for Americans instead of getting into a "mine is bigger" match with each other. I can't believe American tax payers actually foot the bill for such buffoonery. Maybe THEY should reimburse the coffers... Jackles...
I'm changing from a democrat to an independent. Democrats are suicidal.
By playing "chicken" better in the face of GOPherism, Obama could have struck a better deal, closer to his campaign statements about what is right and fair. At least for the moment, House Dems are providing the backbone the Roundheels-in-Chief apparently lacks. And I voted for him and would/will do it again. A deal will eventually pass–perhaps the current one–but there is a chance the deficit-expanding plan could become more equitable and financially sound.
I like it, our governmental system is working. Would you buy a car at its first offer or would you negotiate for a better deal. No offence republicans but on this one I have to say go dems.
Democrats fighting for the people on this one, and the republicans clearly supporting the wealthy. Are things becomming a bit more transparent? Who is really for the people as a whole and who is really for just a few. It seems so far to me that the republicans stand for the wealthy few in America, Wars that kill people, Oil and fossil fuels, Drilling and destroying anything that stands in its way. Something very wrong here. The sad part is that at least 46% of the people also stand for this negative and bullying way of life. Sounds like its time for a change to me. I wish Obama could fire everyone.
What's wrong with the Dems. Compromise is how Washington works. The Dems wanted "unemployment extension" but not "tax cuts". The Reps wanted "tax cuts" but not "unemployment extension". They both GOT something and they both GAVE something – that's compromise. You NEVER get EVERYTHING you want, period.
Well, finally someone stands up to the Republcian bullies. I stand firnly behind my congressman. The Snate should do the same.
Finally, some leaders with "cojones". I much prefer these type leaders, even it places us "hostages" in jeopardy for the moment, than week-kneed elected officials. who struck a deal The worst that can happen if that there is no deal before January, and the country demands that Republicans in both chambers fix the tax mess. Can you imagine the infighting that would occur, ala Jim DeMint, Rand Paul, and others in the Senate versus ("chicken crap") Boehner and his minions in the House.? In the end, we cannot afford to see $900B added to the deficit with the present deal AND that goes unpaid for; this is an incredibly stupid, stupid, piece of legislation that we all cannot afford to see enacted.
I'm confused...Obama campaigned against these tax cuts and now says it will boost jobs. Is he still a democrat? I agree with extending unemployment but by extending the bush cuts it will add to the deficit. Obama you lost absolutely any leverage and character when u watered down health care reform. I'm sorry but u have less than 2 years to save your job.
How does giving a tax break to very wealthy people (Bush tax cuts) help the average American? I did not vote for my president to cave into the other side!
It was a good compomise. Obama deserves credit for trying to find a middle ground. Can't say I am sad to see this Congress go...they have acted like spoiled children who are not willing to see things from someone else's viewpoint and find a solution that all can live with.
If Larry Summers says that the GOP bill is good, RUN!
My family falls into the "rich" category which is absurd since we live in Chicago where housing and everything else costs much more than other places. We can't move because of our jobs. Someone making our income in smalltown, USA is "rich." I've often thought taxes need more tiers. The current break of under/over 250k does NOT work. I should be taxed the same as a Vanderbilt, Rockefeller, etc? I think not! Yes – ease the taxes for families earning under 100k, have a middle bracket for families between 100 and 500, and a high bracket for over 500. Why hasn't anyone suggested this concept???
We called on obama to change course so he tries and the democrats stop him
Something smells like cheese.
I think that we were sold out totally... people voted the republicans in without really thinking it through. Once again the GOP has shown itself to be the party of the rich and the wannabe rich. More Dems should have voted in Nov... now we are paying for it.
I'm glad they told up to this big mistake. Hopefully everyone will be able to play nice a work on a deal that's good for everyone.
republicans would rather the entire country burn down if the billionaires don't get tax breaks!
The Politicans needs to stop acting like somebody have stolen their pony and get the JOB done!!!!
I feel Obama has given in to the republican party ,to the point that he lost controol of his own party possibly makeing him a
president without a party.As I see it he has lost confidence with all of the public that supported him and has caused the party to loose the controol of the house, we no longer have a voice ,He failed misserably concerning the health bill he himself proposed ,The Country as a whole really wanted a plan that would have been government supported and was a universal plan no more and no less..The republicans love Him they have him in the palm of their hands. JAMES SANDLIN.
Obama is quite the master of the use of words. The reality is.. if the tax plan is approved, we will have the SAME amount of money as we have now.. NOT MORE. I guess is sounds good to the less intelligent people listening.
I know I'll have to pay more taxes if they don't come to an agreement, but I thought that this agreement, in its current form, handed the GOP too much with little in return. My hat is off to the house members that decided that this "compromise" needed extra work to actually be a compromise. Just because the GOP won seats in the last election does not mean that the democrats should roll over and ignore those of us in America who are not center right conservatives.
stupid democrats.... yet another circular firing squad. They don't deserve to be in power- they play right into the republican's hands.
Has no friends in DC it appears...
About time they developed a spine – too bad they failed to do so the last 2 years – but, better late then never.
seems to have no friends in D.C.
Take out the inheratence tax break, and I bet you it would pass.
The astounding nerve of this mess of House Democrats is not too horrible in light of their imminent departure fron Washington.
They simply represent an extension of the Great Obama Error, which we are in the process of correcting.
ROFLMAO - What fools these Democrats be. The Republicans won't budge, and nothing will pass. Come January after the House returns to sensible people, those 63 new bodies will approve this package, which will go to the Senate and will be approved as well. They'll simply tack on wording to make the changes retroactive to January 1st. And done. And the whole time the Republicans will berate the Democrats for refusing to support the deal, for pushing a tax increase on all Americans, and then make themselves out to be the heros voting in an actual tax cut in the beginning of the year. This is the greatest win possible for the Republicans, all due to Democrat stupidity and egos. LOL!!
wow- and you lefties were complaining about th erepublican "acting like babies and taking thier ball home, etc, etc..."
Good for the Democrats, stand up for what you believe. I am someone who makes less than 30,000. I would
rather see my taxes go up than give tax cuts to the rich. They don't need it.
Is this all part of a greater plan to take over the united states?
I must admit, it's fun watching the liberal Democrats kill and eat their young. This is great entertainment. Now the Dems know what it feels like to have something shoved down their throats as they did to us with Obamacare. I rate it 5 stars out of 5.
Talk about disparity, the friggin dems can't even get along with themselves, and yet they chide the Rpubs for not playing well together. They are all a bunch of frigging babies!!
Democrats, the party of No.
Blue on blue!! Love it! Destroy each other, libs!!!!! Hahahhahahahaha
Thank God or Moses or Ala or Alibaba that some common sense has prevailed. This failed bill will open the door to destruction of social security by the domestics terrorists i.e. republicans and will NOT provide stimulus. In fact it will lead to further middle class decline as the working people and middle class pick up the tab for the bill for the wealthy class in the years to come. It is unfortunate that we are going to see harder times, especially the unemployed until this is resolved but the right is running a war on the middle class and to use their own wording, those who are hurt by their malfeasance are just collateral damage as they continue their class warfare on those below them. Why working people, baggers and repubs cannot see that the middle class is being blackmailed by the right is beyond thinking. Where are the baggers and working class repubs as they are being stomped into non existence by their masters? All you obama bots better take this as a sign. Neither obama or the terrorists are working for you.
Why won't they let people have at least some tax cut relief? Don't they understand that if the middle class goes then the entire economic class goes too? The middle class basically holds up the entire economic class. I say that they should lower the taxes, and let people start going to stores again to buy things, causing people to have money for taxes. All classes except the rich should have a tax cut because the rich are rich. They have money. They can pay a little more so our economic goes back on track.
You can explain it over and over to democrats, yet they still don't pass the bill. They have it so made up in their heads that people that make over 250k are evil. Yet most of them make that much and more.. it doesn't make sense
Let the tax cuts expire. Let the GOP squirm. DEMS hold the Senate and the Presidency still in January. The middle class tax cut is dead because the GOP killed it in the Senate. Let the GOP explain this to the American people. Middle class tax cut is dead because the GOP want to blackmail America and will not pass it beacause they want to help their Millionaire and Billionaire friends.....
I'm glad to see some democrates have balz. Even if Obama doesn't. There is no way the tax cuts for the rich should continue. And that way the unemployment extension is paid for. Then move on to the Start Treaty.
at least the left is in step with their president...oh...snap....
Simple solution. Take out the cuts for the wealthy and pass it! The wealthy will pocket the extra. I fall into that group. My spending habits will not change. Corporations will do the same. They're pocketing the profits, not hiring.
I say let them expire. If obama wants to break a campaign promise and sellout, do it on somone else's time.
Good news!
Best news in a long time!
Win for Obama & Win for dems!
The stupid bush tax cut MUST DIE!
Reagan I & Reagan II under the incompetent bush, allowed the nation's wealth to the GREEDY business people without ENSURING that they would provide jobs, etc for Americans. What kind of a childish strategy is that?
If the deceptive republicons want to allow the nation's wealth to the greedy, then THERE SHOULD BE GUARANTEE of job-creation in return.
In other words, you can have the tax cut for the wealthy if millions of jobs are created in return.
If jobs are not created, then the wealthy MUST pay the back taxes! It's that simple.
Without such stipulations and guarantees, what would be the incentive for the wealthy to invest the nation's wealth for the common good?
Without such stipulations and guarantees, the wealth would just sit on the nation's wealth or GAMBLE IT AWAY, destroy the economy and drive up the deficit and debt. This is the history under reagan and bush! Wake up, Americans!
Clintonomics has been the most productive and most successful economic policies of ANY Presidents!
Yet many mindless Americans continue to push the FAILED, record debt, record deficit and financial-corruption creating policies of reagan-bush? Wake up, Americans!
GREAT news!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OK – then as a payroll accountant for a major metropolitan city – When are you going to get us the new/revised tax schedules to implement for 2011? So us average Americans can expect to start the 2011 tax year with the correct rates about June 2011? Because we average Americans Accountants know how well thought out the tax rates were for the Stimulus fiasco that was ready/required to be implemented April 1 2009 (April 1 – fools legislation – that fits)
"The average American family will start 2011 knowing that there will be more money to pay the bills each month, more money to pay for tuition, more money to raise their children," he said. "But if this framework fails, the reverse is true. Americans will see it in smaller paychecks that will have the effect of fewer jobs."
I agree with the majority of people. I voted for a the wrong guy and that includes Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi. With this tax deal and NO raise for senior citizens and people on Social Security with the cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA) again for 2010 and 2011. Our backs are right up against the wall and hurting.., including for Christmas. Thank you, Mr. President, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Senator Harry Reid for nothing. I thought after I read many stories in the news media, that we, senior citizens and people on Social Security were going to receive 'something' in place of the NO cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA) rasie for 2010 and 2011. Guess not.., another give in my our President and Speaker of the House promise or was it a lie ? With the economy, current recession, unemployment, food and gas prices going up each month.., so much for saving or for that matter.., Christmas for the family. Thanks federal government, your doing a great job of digging a bigger deep hole for the nation. Wish someone in Washington would keep their promise or promises. Wishfull thinking, I guess. Merry Christmas everybody.., I'll be down at the soup kitchen, trying to eat and stay warm. Mike in Montana
Wow, these democrats are surprisingly idiotic. I'm a registered democrat and see the importance of getting this bill signed even though the republicans ( American gangsters ) are holding us hostage. But to delay and knowing that they are unwilling to change course. Now were all screwed. I am officially registering as an independent.
From the Political Ticker: "A new poll indicates that two-thirds of Americans support the deal between President Barack Obama and congressional Republicans to temporarily extend tax cuts for all Americans."
Not really sure which constituents the House Democrats think they're representing by balking at this. I am independent but tend to vote mostly Democrat, and I am in complete agreement with the tax bill, with the caveat that a solution to paying down this nation's debt (yes, probably in the form of taxes) gets figured out within the next two years.
It's amazing how, these very same democrats, who I voted in office, still can't get their ducks in line. AMAZING!!!!! We get a President that not only has resistance from those HATING *** Reflubicans, but now we have shown how DUMB we are within the party. Thank you DEMOCRAPS and REFLUBICANS for wasting the last two years of the lives of citizens. Reflubicans don't want to spent money, yet didn't have a issue 4 years ago to start this BS. Democraps wasted all they time when they had the opportunity to be the bully and get stuff moving, only to lose majority, and now they want to do the same thing when they had majority..nothing. Mr.President, I don't know if you were before your time, by a couple of generations or what but, these old fogies that have the clout wear diapers for a reason...they babies. Mr. President, you got a tough hill to climb, and if no one wants to help you...keep climbing. Reflubicans and Democraps begining to look the same to me...who benefits from that?
The Dems have done NOTHING all year about the tax issue. They lost in NOV and now when the Republicans put together a package they won’t vote for it because they were not included in the process. A small group of Dems wrote the Health Care bill and pushed a vote through before people were able to read it. Claimed it was soo important to pass the bill right now. Obama likes to blame past administrations for how the country is now, however would that be when Bush 2 was in office and the dems controlled congress or when Clinton was president? The country is worse than when Obama came to power. 2012 cannot get here fast enough.
even though i support the tax cut for all, i really don't like how the republicans are dictating the terms. Democrats and Obama need to though-in up and stand for something... Its really frustrating how Obama lacks commitment to his principals. its difficult to take him on what he says because it could change at anytime based on the pressure the republicans put on him...
My question is "WHY?" There was no explanation of why the Democrats won't bring this proposal forward. Could you please elaborae on that, or are they taking a page out of the Republican "Just say NO" playbook?
oh noes!
Good for them. Thank you Dems for standing up for something.
I hope we now see who the morons are. Its not Obama . Its House Democrats and Senate Republicans
It seems that most Dems don't like the estate tax provisions. Couldn't they just agree to set them at levels previously passed by the House at $3.5 million and 45%? I mean, seriously, how many people are inheriting that much money that we should stall the whole deal for? The Republicans should agree to what the Dems want as far as the estate tax goes since they are getting all of the Bush tax cuts extended. Seems like a no-brainer to me, but then again, perhaps our elected leaders simply don't have brains.
Let them all expire. We should never negotiate with hostage takers.
I, for one, am ready to take my $1k hit.
Thanks for nothing, guys. ....
The politicians in this country are soley interested in their votes and personal gain. The American people are not of their interest. Therefore, whoever you vote for is a no win situation. May G-d help the American people.
well....the democrats in the house were not happy with just destroying the country....now they are destroying their own president.....wonder what part of losing 63 seats they do not get
If the GOP were serious about creating jobs, improving the economy and balancing the budget, they would let the Bush tax cuts expire and lower the payroll tax. But I don't see that deal being struck anytime soon. We know where their loyalties lie.
I'm no fan of the republicans by any means. But the dems are wrong in not backing this deal. As a middle class person my health insurance premiums are going up by 20%. Am I going to get a 20% raise? No way. If our taxes go up on top of it we're really going to suffer. The dems will get the blame, as they always do. The republicans unfortunately played chess, while President Obama was playing checkers. There's no other choice but to vote for this tax cut. The Middle class is suffering and if we are made to suffer more there will be blood.
Quite an about face. Obama: Years telling us that extending the Bush cuts would be bad for the economy. Now: Its a good thing that will help create jobs. Republicans: Extending unemployment will blow out the deficit. Now. A-OK just don't increase taxes on those earning $1,000,000+. Just when I thought I could not get any more sickened.
I'm happy to see Congress drawing a line in the sand and taking a firm position against this flawed bill. How can Obama and Republicans support a bill that adds $1 trillion to the debt, mostly by cuts to taxes on the rich. This is not what the country needs. Go, Congress!!!
Democrats should stop trying to "win the battle" and focus on "winning the war" that is certain to take place in 2012. It's laughable that people chose to criticize President Obama when he has accomplished more in 2 years than any other president in modern times accomplished during their full term(s). And he has done this under the most negative, disrespectful, openly hostile, hateful, slimey, gutter, pervert political environment in the history of our country. For this man to ascend to the presidency as he did, through smarts, vision, self-control and common decency, is a feat unsurpassed by anyone in the history of the world. And to watch people who haven't accomplished a 10th of what President Obama has accomplished for the American people, criticize his every move, as if they are smarter, more visionary– why don't they run for President next cycle since they think that they know so much! Cowards sit on the sideline and criticize. Leaders are out front taking the heat and plowing forward with the big picture (vision) in mind. I, for one, don't my taxes to increase in 2011, and if the wealthy get the same benefit, so be it. No, it's not fair, but what is in America?
Forget the damm democrats voting against this!!! Who cares about the Estate tax. Every American benefits from this and Democrats also want to stop unemployment benefits going out to American who need it. I am a Democrat and I even believe this is a good deal. Please Senate Democrats wake up and stop hurting the people who you claim to care about and vote for this tax deal.
All that time with the super majority and the only thing they have done is cause a 26% raise in insurance rates for me, which forces me to go to a lessor plan and pay more out of pocket for. I hate idealists. All they do is think, argue, and cost me my hard earned wages. No second term. Use your heads next time people. Had we voted Perot, this country would be making money, our jobs would still be here, and America would be strong. But no, instead we got Clinton, and due to his blundering, we got Bush. Now, thanks to all of your hate, we got Obama, and the most incompetent admin of the last three presidency's.
Pres. Obama got back more than he gave up. The tax breaks for high income people are temporary, not permanent as the GOP had demanded. Obama obtained the payroll tax relief, which many economists have defined as a "back door" stimulus. The Republicans had resisted any overt stimulus, but the Administration found a way. And, of course, the long term unemployed are getting an extension of help, while the GOP would have put them out on the street.
The liberal caucus is saying, "I'd rather die fighting with my principles intact." Whom would that have helped? That's the mindset that kept the Democrats out of power throughout the 1980s. Obama did a courageous thing, risking the ire of his own party (which he got in abundance) to do what's best for the country longer term. To the liberal caucus, I say this: Forget this stuff about noble martyrdom. Take what you can get today, and live to fight another day.
raise the amount from $250K to $500K or 1 million.That will satisfy the math challenged Dems..The all or nothing was an invite to failure.Perhaps planned it that way ,,hmmmm
So, Democrats are holding the unemployed hostage because of their believe we all owe more in taxes and can keep less of our income so Congress can keep overspending and wasting money? Not suprised.
Let all the tax breaks lapse and pay off them stupid deficit before they Chinese own our country and take it from us.
No look who is the party of NO! The democrats DID not get the message from the people. Being in the middle class, I am scared to death how I am going to raise my family if they up the taxes. Seems to me the democrats don't care since they are sitting high and don't have the worries the rest of us have.
Wow – The democrats keep blaming the failing economy on Bush and the GOP, but it is apparent that their ideology and class warfare is more important than fixing the problem.
The compromise should die. Adding to the deficit is not sound policy any longer. Bring tax rates back to where they were during the Clinton years - a time of budget surpluses AND strong economic growth!
Implement across-the-board PayGo now!
I understand why the Democrats are pushing back on this bill. The Republicans are trying to cram their agenda down our throats by using the threat of their future power to strong arm Obama into a compromise without his party's input. There are 2 really bad ideas in the bill: extending unemployment and giving the most wealthy continued tax breaks. If this is the best Congress can come up with, may as well punt the ball into January.
Divided we fall
Even Dufus knows that
Can anyone say double dip?
Good for them! Power to the people! No more pandering to the rich, it has been proven in the past that the "trickle down" economics doesn't work.
Wow the new pelosi party of NO
The lame Duck is cooked! Almost comical, but did anyone who voted for Obama think the first term Senator had the ability to lead?
I guess compromise is a tough pill to swallow, after two years of ignoring the other party.
Congrats to Harry and Nancy, you just undermined your boss. The new boss (the American people) will have the last laugh come January.
I have to say I agree with the Democrats on this issue and am glad to hear they are challenging the President. Obama is wrong and the Republicans are wrong. The real message is not: "The average American family will start 2011 knowing that there will be more money to pay the bills each month, more money to pay for tuition, more money to raise their children," it is, hey Americans, we have to pay our bills and not run pyramid schemes anymore, so we have to pay the bills of OUR government, just like for our families, household, etc... These tax cuts are a few % points more, which for most Americans is probably only $20-$30 per pay period. Mr. Obama and Republicans, $20-$30 per pay period is not going to help cover anyones tuition, gas bill, mortagage, etc... in the real world. We need to starting trying to balance our budget so other world investors see stability in the U.S. again so they will invest here, which will create jobs.
Dems are just being babies at this point. They've spent the last two years addicted to political power like it was crack and now that they're going to have to give up some of that power, they're throwing a hissy fit. They'll blame the republicans though, who will in turn blame the dems. Funny though how the dems spent so much time referring to repubs as the party of 'no' even though they never let any substantive republican ideas hit the table, and now when there's a bill with an actual compromise it's the dems saying 'no' because they want it their way or no way.
It's good to see that even if Obama has no cojones, the democrats in Congress are willing to do what they were elected to do: Represent America. Congrats House Democrats. Obama, man up.
It is about time.
Is Obama Republican now?
im 1 unemployment check away from being homeless
It is sad to see my party Dem acting so stupid. We need tax breaks
Has President Obama only spoken to/read Economists from the Republican camp? I'm guessing he hasn't read Paul Krugman's recent articles, or other such liberal economists? Either case, it'll be interesting to see how Obama will fare in the remaining two years – I think at this point, nobody likes him – conservatives or liberals or moderates. Conservatives hate him on principle, liberals hate him for being too accommodating, while moderates (independents) are the most unreliable bunch of all. They usually never support anyone completely!
double edged sword is syealing our money and the only ones that say so are crazy
Obama, you are a good man but you are too rational and now, in this period of republican war cries we need a strong leader to show them that intimidation is not going to work, that the weakest parts of society that cannot have a voice by themselves need a champion that shouts in the face of the arrogant right that we will not accept their game and that they will not be able to do whatever they want just because they have the money! I am afraid you are NOT that leader......
WOW...the battle lines have been drawn. Obama vs. the Dems.
I hope they do kill the bill. America has got to wake up and take a good look at who actually came up with this bill. The rich and super rich corporations that have funded the electoral process for decades. That goes on all parties that are in Congress. Think about it....Who in their right mind would be able to push a bill that gives 900 billion in tax breaks to corporations that won't invest it? Money saved that would pay down the debt and pay for the unemployment extensions and tax breaks for the middle and poverty class that will invest it back into the system. Hears an idea, on bills that propose tax cuts or increases, use todays technology to put on the floor of both house an electronic voter board where real people can cast their vote live so that way the house and senate can see what the people by the people want!
Mission Impossible – Politics as Usual – for the next two years these bickering A-holes will hold the county hostage – there will be hostages takers and blackmailers taking a huge chunk of the national debt (their salary) and doing nothing. In my world, I would be fired. Why is it that the people can't impeach each and every one of these elected scumbags and start over, cause this is not how I wish to be represented.
Obama's compromise, or some say capitulation, on extending the Bush tax cuts plus adding more cuts, will increase the national debt by over a trillion dollars when the unnecessary wars are added. Our government will have to borrow the money to pay for the cuts and continuation of the wars.
This will increase inflation, interest rates and the costs of everyday living for the middle and lower class working Americans. It will adversely affect job creation and the standard of living for Americans.
The next step will be to cut spending and the Republicans will focus on earned entitlements such as social security, medicaid, medicare and military health benefits. Obama has already said he favors a 1.4% pay increase for the military. This is the lowest pay raise in almost 50 years and is a strange thanks for those who have been fighting our wars for ten years. This really adds up to a tax increase for the middle class and our most needy.
All of this while big business and the most wealthy receive huge tax cuts ostensibly to stimulate the economy and earn more for investors. Job creation will be very uncertain.
This is another victory for the Republicans who are willing to borrow from the future of the elderly, our kids and grandkids to continue the unnecessary wars and support the most wealthy Americans.
Maybe Obama can run as a Republican next time.
Just when i am ready to throw the Repubs under the bus, the Democrats leap under it on their own.