Profiles in Timidity (Dems and tax cut vote)

[chimpymustgo]

Profiles in Timidity
Published: September 27, 2010

We are starting to wonder whether Congressional Democrats lack the courage of their convictions, or simply lack convictions.

Last week, Senate Democrats did not even bother to schedule a debate, let alone a vote, on the expiring Bush tax cuts. This week, House Democrats appear poised to follow suit. The idea is to spare incumbents from having to vote before Nov. 2 on whether to let the rich go on paying less taxes than the nation needs them to pay.

This particular failure to act was not about Republican obstructionism, of which there has been plenty. This was about Democrats failing to seize an opportunity to do the right thing and at the same time draw a sharp distinction between themselves and the Republicans.

President Obama has been steadfast — and basically correct — in calling to extend the Bush tax cuts for 98 percent of taxpayers and to let them expire for the top 2 percent. But by postponing a vote on the cuts, Democrats are increasing the likelihood of an eventual cave-in to Republicans, who are pushing for an extension of all the tax cuts, including the high-end ones.

We presume that Democrats, especially those in more conservative districts, are doing this in response to the anti-Washington insurgency on the right. But it’s hard to imagine that conservative voters will confuse them for Republicans, and punting on the tax cuts won’t score them any points with the Democratic base.

As the politics of the tax-cut fight move to center stage, far more important issues are being pushed into the background. Letting the high-end tax cuts expire, for instance, is a crucial step in the long process of reducing the federal budget deficit. Extending them will add $700 billion more to the debt over the next decade than under the Obama administration’s tax proposal — and for what? To bolster the weak economy, the money would be better spent in any of several more demonstrably effective ways, like payroll tax cuts, infrastructure spending or state aid to hire more teachers and police.

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http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/28/opinion/28tue1.html?_r=1&hp

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Why won't we fight? Even battles we can win. Battles that could pull out the mid-terms for us. Prithee...tell me why??

[Statistical]

1. Simple both parties work for the rich and powerful.

Yeah the D may be left of center and the R right of center but neither one works for the middle class or the poor. It hasn't been that way for 30+ years.

Long time ago politicians realizes the best way to stay in office is to appease the powerful. The 3 term, 4 term, 8 term incumbants are by natural selection the ones best suited to doing the bidding of their corporate masters.