Talkingpointsmemo's Josh Marshall: 'The Big Tell'

[flpoljunkie]

Can't wait to hear this reported today on the teevee! Ha! Fat chance!

THE BIG TELL

You know congressional Republicans are dead serious about not wanting to do anything to boost the economy when they won't even take up the president's offer to do it entirely with tax cuts.

—Josh Marshall

Top Republicans Pour Cold Water On Obama’s Last-Ditch Stimulus Plan
Brian Beutler
June 15, 2011

Two leading Republicans say they do not support President Obama's plan to broaden, deepen, and extend a payroll tax cut to stimulate the economy in the short-term.

In a briefing with reporters in the Capitol Tuesday, the House and Senate GOP conference chairs said they're through with short-term stimulus measures, even if they take the form of tax cuts.

"Well they've tried this once, and it hasn't seemed to be working," said Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-TX).

His Senate counterpart, Lamar Alexander (R-TN) echoed this view.

"We don't need short-term gestures, we need long-term strategies that build into our system simpler taxes, lower taxes, fewer mandates, lower costs, more certainty, any changes in the debt structure of tax reform ought to come out of the Vice President's talks or part of a major tax reform," Alexander said. "If short-term government programs work, we wouldn't have 9% unemployment today because the government has tried it. So we've proved that doesn't work, unforutnately."

more...

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/06/top-republicans-pour-cold-water-on-obamas-last-ditch-stimulus-plan.php?ref=fpblg

[SpiralHawk]

1. Wow - Republicons enmeshed in fear and hate want to take America down

to their level of FAIL, even if it means kissing off their ADORED tax cuts for fatcats. Anything to thwart America and our President. Such shrunked souls (R)

Republicons have no respect for America, and act without honor. Republicons give America -- and themselves -- the freaking finger out of sheer small-souled spite.

[polichick]

9. And "our" prez and party are helping them do it...

The only way out of this is to take it to the people - but it won't happen because "our" side also works for corporations and the wealthy.

[tridim]

2. This is why they are going to lose.

People are wise to their shit.

[pscot]

4. You can't be series

You are talking about Americans, right?

[tridim]

7. The polls all say Americans are on to their BS.

Look at what we want vs. what the GOP is offering.

[Scuba]

3. Payroll taxes are NOT the ones they're interested in cutting....

...now Capital Gains, estate and corporate taxes are another matter.

[flpoljunkie]

5. Cutting payroll taxes would actually stimulate the economy. That's why they will fight it.

[Scuba]

6. Excellent graph. Thanks for posting it.

[bvar22]

8. And the PRICE we PAY for a "Payroll Tax Holiday"?

*The weakening of Social Security/Medicare

*The linking of SS/Medicare to the General Fund
thereby reinforcing the meme that SS/Medicare is responsible for the deficit.

*The probability that the "Holiday" will be extended or even made permanent.
Does anybody really believe that Obama & The "Centrist" Dems are going to
"raise taxes" in an election year?

The "Payroll Tax Holiday" IS a Sneak attack on Social Security
masquerading as a "stimulus" for the Middle Class.

The Republicans WILL fight it,
NOT because it is a "stimulus",
but because that is their assigned roll in the Kabuki Theater
to maintain the illusion that Americans have a choice.



Who will STAND and FIGHT for THIS American Majority?
"By their WORKS you will know them,"
not by their excuses.

[polichick]

10. Kabuki Theater is exactly right - the sooner people get that, the better.

[flpoljunkie]

11. If Robert Reich thinks exempting the first $20K from payroll tax for year will help, it would.

Our economy needs stimulus now. We can work on long term deficit reduction later.

[bvar22]

12. Have you ever wondered WHY...

"they" are calling a "holiday" on the Payroll Tax,
and then replacing the shortfall from the General Fund?

Why not just give a direct rebate, or send a check to every American?
Same amount of "stimulus", easier, less paperwork, the funding for SS remains SOLID and UNTOUCHABLE.

SS/Medicare funding should remain the inviolate 3rd Rail,
not trivialized as something that we can call a "holiday" on,
and NEVER, EVER directly connected to the General Fund.
Once THAT step has been taken (and it already has ),
it will be so much easier to go farther next time,
and those responsible KNOW this.
Like The Patriot Act and the "historic" Health Insurance Profit Protection Bill,
there will be NO "fixing it later."

Thank You, "Centrist" Democrats, for violating that Traditional Democratic Sacred Cornerstone,
something the Republicans could NEVER do.


"There are forces within the Democratic Party who want us to sound like kinder, gentler Republicans.
I want a party that will stand up for working Americans."
---Paul Wellstone

[polichick]

13. Love your pic and quote - perhaps Wellstone was wasting his time on this party...

Perhaps many of us are doing the same.

I remain a Dem in order to vote in the primary but think it's unlikely that real change will come through this party.