NYT: Use Revenue from Reinstating Taxes on the Rich to Put People Back to Work Rebuilding Country

[flpoljunkie]

(Dems, what at you waiting for? The mid-terms are rapidly approaching.)

In Search of a New Playbook
Published: August 7, 2010

For most voters, the only real issue is high unemployment, and it is here that Democrats seem to have set aside bold thinking and fallen into the Republican trap of placing deficit fears ahead of job revival. Rather than spend time during the campaign stoking anxiety over Social Security, Democrats should aggressively counter the myth that the deficit is causing unemployment, and advocate using government in ways that might re- inspire voters.

A few suggestions: Using the revenue from reinstating taxes on the rich to put people back to work, rebuilding and repairing the country. Providing robust support for state and local governments, many of which have cut past the bone. Repairing the unemployment system so that it is a real safety net and not a political tool.

As the economy recovers, there will be money available for sane and careful deficit reduction, territory the Democrats know far better than their opponents. A House or Senate controlled by Republicans, leading to longer stalemates and years of political posturing, is not the way to get there. Instead of shrinking from their accomplishments, Democrats should use their remaining time to build on them.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/08/opinion/08sun1.html?_r=1&hp

[denimgirly]

1. Maybe my English No Good but "Reinstating tax cuts"..does that mean "Continuing the tax cuts"?

Sorry. And thank you.

[NC_Nurse]

2. The article is talking about reinstating the taxes, not the tax cuts. K&R

[flpoljunkie]

3. Sorry, brain fart.

The Bush tax were set to expire at the end of 2010--to hide their true cost, and to make it difficult for Congress to not continue them.

[Jackpine Radical]

4. The problem lies with their writing. I had the same problem with

understanding it that you did. They apparently mean letting the tax cuts expire and reinstating the original tax rate to the level that existed before it was cut.

[Booster]

8. And, especially here in CA, the problem lies with contractors

hiring illegals to do work that is contracted from our government. Everybody knows it's happening but they don't seem to have a solution. Another thing, government contracts SHOULD NOT be given to companies that have their headquarters where they don't have to pay taxes, i.e. Halliburton. If a company is not paying their fair share then they shouldn't get taxpayer monies. Pretty simple really.

[elleng]

5. Sounds good to me, but guess what: Reps won't allow it! Too much like 'success' for Dems.

Its ALL about their power.

:thumbsdown:

[flpoljunkie]

6. But, why not call their bluff. Put them on the spot.

[elleng]

7. Dems SHOULD be doing that, in various ways. Sure hope so.

[DailyGrind51]

9. Replasce the WTO with a WPA!

[indepat]

10. The writer must be in la-la land: US job #1 is and has been about

wealth accumulation among the very few: consider the trillions of dollars of junior's tax cuts that now repose as wealth of a relative few and remember most Repug senators, if not all, don't want those tax cuts to sunset as do some DINO senators. Sadly, I'm betting the tax cuts for the "rich" will not be allowed to sunset by reason of BHO not vetoing such legislation. Luckily, sometimes I'm wrong, so here's hoping this will be one of those times. :P

[Rosa Luxemburg]

11. tax the very rich not the middles or the poor

the income tax should be revised as follows approximately:

0 to up to $50,0000 - 0% tax
$50,000 to $500,000 - 1% increase in tax per $10,000 earned per annum
$500,000 to $100,000,000 - 2% increase in tax per $10,000 earned per annum
$100,000,000 plus - flat 90% plus penalties for multimillion earners.

bonuses to CEOs taxed at 2% per $10,000

sales tax increased on fattening foods, junk food, gas guzzling cars.

decrease tax on small business with small profits.