GOP can't locate one millionaire who can't handle tax increase -- NPR

[Courtesy Flush]

http://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2011/12/09/143398685/gop-objects-to-millionaires-surtax-millionaires-we-found-not-so-much

[tyne]

1. Please!

Everyone should put this on their Facebook page and in the "comment" section ask if any "small business" in their town would be affected. Truth is...99% of small businesses would be adversly affected if it ISN'T extended. It's time to make it a permanent cut and RAISE the surtax.

[lonestarnot]

2. Try having democracy when there isn't any.

[MH1]

3. Agreed (and posted to FB) except

if the payroll tax cut is made permanent then the cap needs to be extended, to correct the formula. Of course the cap needs to be raised to correct the formula anyway; I think a lower overall rate with higher cap is a good permanent improvement to the formula. I think it makes sense to hold off on raising the cap until the economy recovers and more people are back to work, then the tax raise of raising the cap (which will affect the higher end middle class) will be better absorbed in the demand side of the economy. I am fairly certain that was Obama's game plan from the start. Unfortunately that move will now have to wait until after the 2012 election at least. Meanwhile the debt and the pending (but yes, way down the road) SS issues continue to grow.

[ret5hd]

4. can you point me to ANY entity other than the govt and religion...

that makes forecasts 75 yrs out?

do you know why?

[MH1]

5. Sure. UN IPCC.

Next question?

Oh and, can you explain: Why all the wailing and gnashing of teeth, in some corners, when the obvious is pointed out, that eventually the SS formula will need to be revised, to keep pace with demographic changes? WTF is the big deal? Such a knee jerk reaction is just as bad as the wailing and gnashing of teeth from the other side that 'OMG, Social Security is in crisis!!!1! OMG, social security won't be there for me when I retire!!1!!! OMG OMG".

Why not just have a rational discussion about it? Just like climate change, if the model changes drastically and unexpectedly in opposition to the current forecast, then what was hurt? Whereas, if the forecast holds true, then having taken action now will reduce the necessary abruptness of later actions.

Really, what would be hurt by lowering the payroll tax rate but extending it to a higher income?

And, if you JUST keep the lowered tax rate WITHOUT compensating by other changes in the formula, then you HAVE ALREADY changed the formula, and hastened the time when SS will have to be addressed (unless unexpected demographic changes revise the forecast model). All I am saying is compensate by increasing the cap; do that with an eye to the future concern (i.e. choose the new cap wisely), then you are DONE and you can put SS to bed as an election issue once and for all. (Or for at least another 100 years.) OH WAIT, I guess I just answered my own question, NO ONE WANTS to stop the electioneering around SS, it's such a convenient 'terra terra terra' issue for politicians! When the answer is friggin' third grade simple. Sigh.

[MisterP]

8. oo, I know! the scientists in Mary Midley and David Noble

[cilla4progress]

6. Done!

I have to be "careful" posting on the FB page I share with my spouse - I have FB friends and relatives of the opposite persuasion who I don't want to alienate, so I try not to be provocative, keep my politics out of it...though some of them do!

We'll see what this post brings!

[gulliver]

7. GOP needs to be checked for a concussion after that one.

I heard that yesterday. It was so bad for the GOP I almost winced. But it is hard to wince while laughing.