I know my timing couldn't be worse, considering all the recent attention from Rush & his trolls [View all]

[apples and oranges]

but in the past few days I've had to correct a lot of people about the payroll tax holiday. I know most DUers already understand the need for FICA taxes to sustain Social Security, but a lot of people who aren't as informed just see a smaller check and feel screwed. There is a lot of anger and confusion surrounding it and many people think it was President Obama's idea to end it, when in fact it was congress that decided to let the tax holiday expire. President Obama actually wanted to keep the payroll tax holiday in place, but both republicans and democrats had their own reasons for not extending it:

The change, affecting the largest number of taxpayers, follows the expiration of a temporary 2 percent reduction in the Social Security payroll tax. President Obama had requested that the lower 4.2 percent rate be extended, but lawmakers declined.

http://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2013/01/03/higher-earners-mass-due-pay-more/30AuICI5nI3Wn7A6j5w8ZN/story.html

Most media outlets are doing nothing to help Americans understand what's really going on, and why ending the tax holiday is important. Instead, they're using sensational headlines like "Obama's wrong: This 'cliff' deal still raises taxes on the middle class" or "Democrats Raise Taxes on Poor to Subsidize Millionaires."

I think it's time for another speech. Obama can't let all the confusion hang out there especially when we need to keep our momentum for 2014. You can call me "concerned," but there is no way unlikely/swing voters will vote democratic in 2014 if they feel their checks being cut are a direct consequence of voting for Obama. I hope I'm wrong. I hope that people barely making ends meat will understand that the increase is for their own good, but I can't help but think this will lead to a fresh new wave of fresh teabaggers.