Democrats refuse to compromise with the Republicans to get a payroll tax cut deal.

[DCBob]

from Bloomberg..

Democratic leaders in the U.S. Senate are hardening their opposition to a House Republican measure that would extend the payroll tax cut for workers while restructuring unemployment compensation and speeding approval of a Canadian oil pipeline.

Senator Richard Durbin of Illinois, the chamber’s No. 2 Democrat, said lawmakers must cover the cost of extending a payroll tax cut for workers with new revenue. Republicans have blocked Democratic proposals in the Senate to pay for the payroll tax cut by imposing a surtax on income exceeding $1 million a year.

“If we do pay for it, it’s going to be paid for with a revenue source, such as the millionaire’s tax,” Durbin said in an interview today. “It’s not going to be paid for with spending cuts.”

more: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-12-12/payroll-tax-cut-extension-measure-sets-up-dueling-votes-in-u-s-congress.html

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This is very good news. I think Democrats win this battle if they hold firm to this line.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. If they hold firm, there's no telling how much good will come out of it.

A little spine, if you please, good Senators!

[jannyk]

4. IF.

Not gonna hold my breath.

[Old Codger]

2. I hope

That they have the balls to stick to it... A little pessimistic and cynical at this point.

[rhett o rick]

3. The Dem's have to stop giving in to blackmail. YOu cant negotiate with blackmailers and repukes. nm

[DCBob]

13. Agreed. Especially in this situation.

Democrats hold the upper hand now and they need to use it.

[julian09]

16. End blackmail now.

They only encourage more demands and subvert the negotiating process. Better to lose a battle to fight another day, than surrender.
Make the Gop filibuster and face the consequences.

[rhett o rick]

18. My peranoia makes me wonder why the Dem's arent doing this.

Why wont they try to embarrass the repukes and force the filibuster?

[WinkyDink]

5. "Democrats refuse to compromise" is an odd way to phrase it, IMO.

[spanone]

8. anything to make the democrats appear unreasonable

[DCBob]

17. Actually I meant it as a positive thing.

Compromising with Republicans usually means Democrats and regular folks get screwed.

[rhett o rick]

20. I took it as a positive thing. nm

[Stuart G]

21. It sure does, that is the truth...nt.

[DCBob]

10. I think its quite accurate. What would be your headline?

[msongs]

11. "democrats honor their values by refusing republican extortion demands" nt

[DCBob]

14. Not bad. I like it.

thumbs up!

[WinkyDink]

23. "Refuse to capitulate"? "Refuse to compromise" has a negative connotation.

[gratuitous]

6. I don't speak for everyone

But for myself, I'm okay with a reversion to the pre-2001 tax rates, back when we were covering our expenses and reducing the national debt. Back in the days when we weren't paying for two illegal occupations. Anyone remember that time? There was even some loose talk about the "perils" of completely retiring the nation's debt. Can you imagine a country that could build a new, modern school with all the latest bells and whistles to educate students whenever and wherever it wanted to? Pay teachers a salay commensurate with their professional qualifications? Build and maintain good roads? Build and maintain mass transit systems, including high-speed rail lines? It could be an American renaissance!

Naahhhh!

[spanone]

7. bu$h* tax cuts are not funded.

[Drahthaardogs]

9. Good.

I would love to see them make a stand.

[opihimoimoi]

12. The DEMs are showing REASON and SPINE...a Combo of the Best Kine

[mmonk]

15. Good on them. See, that wasn't so hard.

[HeyHeymymy]

19. Means test SS and Medicare

Let the rich fund their own retirement and healthcare.

[Bluenorthwest]

22. Medicare Premiums are already higher for higher incomes

And all who get Medicare pay for it, it is not free to any participant. Social Security means testing is just a terrible idea for so many reasons, and most of this community knows all of those reasons. Enjoy!

[mmonk]

24. A spine! Cool.