Sessions On Norquist Pledge: "Deal with the political reality of the president's victory."

House GOP Refuses to Allow Dem Whip to Speak on Payroll Tax Cuts

From Nancy Pelosi's YouTube:
This morning, Speaker Pro Tempore Michael Fitzpatrick (R-PA), under orders from Speaker Boehner, refused to allow Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer to speak on the floor and ask for unanimous consent to bring up the Senate bipartisan compromise to extend the payroll tax cut. Whip Hoyer and Congressman Chris Van Hollen are continuing to try to offer the Senate compromise even though Republicans walked off the floor. Once again, Republicans are risking a tax increase on 160 million Americans and the loss unemployment benefits for those who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own.

WATCH: GOP Cries 'Class Warfare' over Tax Cuts for the Rich

These Sons-of-Bitches...



Please, they ain't fighting to survive or put food on the table! Tax Them Now!

WATCH: Rep. Anthony Weiner deals with the wretched Sean Hannity & Michele Bachmann over Spending

Chris Matthews: What this Tax Cuts Plan could Provide

Just trying to present different views about this

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Trying to make sense of Obama, Taxes and the rest of the Madness

Last week was an interesting week for me and my view of politics. Usually, I'm very clear with my stance and opinions, but after the Tax Cuts drama, I'm seeing a lot of stuff that makes sense and don't at the same time.

Quick recap:

This began with Obama's "Framework" for the Tax Cuts. Just a reminder, this was an idea. This was never a done deal and at best, it was a skeleton plan. Obama presented the framework with the dreaded 2 years of the tax cuts for the rich. He placed that in the plan as a compromise to protect the unemployed and programs set up to support the middle class. Once it came out, the ideal plan was met with much hate. I mean hate that made folks completely give up on Obama and pray for a primary candidate against him in 2012. He later defended it, but also reminded folks that this deal could change if a better deal could be made.

Then came the rants and news coverage. Keith Olbermann and Rachel Maddow threw in their swings and the progressive blogs had a field day. However, there were some who supported the ideal plan or at least recognized the corner Obama was in.

The Chris Matthews segment was a great counterpoint to the drama. Fast forward a few days and you had Bill Clinton supporting the ideal plan and Sen. Bernie Sanders putting the truth out there for us to understand. But are we there yet? I don't know. I think we are caught in the middle of this mess.

So here are my quick views about all of this tax cuts melodrama.

•  Am I mad at Obama? No, he's trying to make a cake out of Baking Soda. It's not going to taste good, but he is trying.
• I want him to fight, but I get that he's trying to save 156 million folks from losing their unemployment benefits before that's lost in congress seat change. It's a compromise, I get that, but I still hope he fights.
• Is there a better plan? I think so, Obama said this weekend he's open to changes to the plan. I hope the Dems are ready with ideas and details.
• This talk of a primary challenger to Obama, ain't going to happen. Nobody is willing to toss their political career to the waste side. So, that's a no-go. Also, the reality is Obama's true base hasn't left him and they were the homebringers of his presidency, the youth and minorities.
• This ideal plan does suck, but it could be the best way to show how ruthless the GOP really is. If they fight this tooth and nail, they will lose clout and hopefully the public will see this.
• Obama has to be open to other ideas, I wish he and Bernie can work something out.
• I'm concerned that most folks are not understanding the entire story. Knowing this culture, most folks don't. 
• It's hard being a realist.
• The GOP wanted another 10 years of Tax Cuts for the rich, Obama knocked it down to 2 years.
• Bernie's plan could work, hopefully it won't take 8.5 hours to explain to Obama and the Dems.
• With Bill standing on Obama's side, I think it's safe to say that the "If Hillary was in Office" mess is officially dead.
• The extended unemployment benefits should be extended to the 99ers, but the reality is... It's expensive. Obama and Dems will need to tax the rich more to cover that charge.
• The Tea Party should be upset more at the GOP for wanting this, but I'm sure they are not aware or care.
• I want Obama to be tougher.
• I also want us to be more tougher and more realistic. These unreal expectations most folks have is ridic. It's going to take more than 2 years to fix this country.

I'm wishing for next week to turn last week into a bad day dream. If a deal is made, I hope it is the best deal. And I want to see more Bernie is this "better tax plan" ordeal.

Rachel Maddow talks about the Madness of the Tax Cuts debate

This is so confusing!

Bill Clinton comes in Support of Obama's Tax Cuts Deal

66% of America People support 2 Major Parts of the Tax Compromise

Days after Obama's Tax Cuts Framework was released, folks had a field day declaring their anger towards him.

Now as the dust settled, more folks are understanding it. In fact, according to a Gallup poll, 66% of American people agree with the 2 major parts of tax plan

Two major elements included in the tax agreement reached Monday between President Barack Obama and Republican leaders in Congress meet with broad public support. Two-thirds of Americans (66%) favor extending the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts for all Americans for two years, and an identical number support extending unemployment benefits for the long-term unemployed.

According to Gallup polling conducted Dec. 3-6, the slight majority of Democrats, as well as most independents and Republicans, would vote for a two-year extension of the tax cuts passed in 2001 and 2003.

This differs slightly from a November Gallup poll giving Americans three options for extending the Bush tax cuts. That poll found 40% in favor of extending the tax cuts for all Americans, 44% in favor of extending them with limits on tax breaks for the wealthy, and 13% in favor of letting the tax breaks expire altogether. Nevertheless, the results of the new question suggest that, while the compromise position on taxes may not be their ideal, most Americans would support congressional passage of it.

In terms of extending unemployment benefits for the long-term unemployed, more rank-and-file Republicans say they would vote against this than for it; however, the vast majority of independents and Democrats are in favor.

This is some interesting info, because the way Keith Olbermann and others spouted out on Monday, you would think everybody hated this. Well, I think we were hearing 1st reactions, but to the millions who are unemployed, this was very helpful. Plus, there could be more changes that should help more people. So let's see how this goes, it seems to be changing everyday.

House Dems Reject the Tax Cut Deal

Well, I think this is how the Tax Cut Deal may change. The House Dems rejected the deal and wants more changes

In a meeting on Thursday morning, the House Democratic caucus rejected the president's proposed deal on the Bush tax cuts but did not fully submarine the possibility of its passage, multiple sources tell The Huffington Post.

Members, by voice vote, passed a motion to reject the deal as currently written. The motion had been put forward by Reps. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) and Lloyd Doggett (D-Tex.) and was seconded, informally, by Reps. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio) and Jay Inslee (D-Wash.).

"It was an indication of disapproval and a rejection of the deal as currently written," said one House Democratic aide.

The vote, which was conducted with something less than a full caucus present, was as much a repudiation of the substance of the deal as the White House's handling of it. According to sources, several members spoke out about the provision that deals with the estate tax, calling it too generous to the wealthy in its current incarnation. But there was also evident frustration with the administration for essentially cutting House Democrats out of the negotiations.

As we speak a counter proposal is being drafted.  This may also turn out to be in Obama's favor. See here, how this may be the game changer for the Dems.

WATCH Chris Matthews challenges the "Angry" Left on the Tax Cuts

Chris Matthews provided some much real talk about Obama and the Tax Cuts drama. He's actually challenges others about the alternatives.  It seems that many folks are mad, but have no other solutions.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

I'm very glad to see that most folks have calmed down and start looking beyond the tax cuts for the rich.

WATCH Keith Olbermann Goes Off on Obama

Keith Olbermann went off on Obama over the tax deal last night. Check it out


And while many were pleased with this rant, many others were not happy with it at all.

Daily Kos reports:

I love Keith Olbermann. Keith Olbermann has been instrumental in the Progressive cause and he has gone where many Liberals have been fearful of going. His criticism of the President on the tax cut deal was simply wrong and his tonality much too harsh. I blame the President for extremely poor messaging. I blame Keith Olbermann for being a purist to the detriment of the country.

Stating that the President gave away the house simply for 13 months of unemployment is patently false. As Ezra Klein stated 130 of the 900 billion went to the middle class via Progressive policies like reduction in the FICA taxes every middle class person pays, 13 months of unemployment compensation, tax credits for small businesses, tuition credits, and much more.
While it is true that the portion going to the wealthy may be considered is a transfer of wealth to the rich, what should be more disconcerting is that we did this entire bill with borrowed money. It is naïve to believe that Republicans care about what the middle class believe. On January 1st Republican would have been willing to let the middle class suffer and starve until the rich were compensated.

If we want successful and more pure policies, we should stop maiming each other in the Progressive movement and work to convince a larger base of Americans that supply side (trickle down) economics does not and never worked. Because of the construct of our Senate, Republicans will never need a majority to protect the rich. That is a bet they will always win unless we educate the masses in the long term, while in the short term we govern like adults.

We must keep the pressure on the President but we must also be realistic. While most of us activists in the Progressive movement have jobs, we must remember that while we fight some of those we are fighting for will be hurt irreparably if we do not fight intelligently. I am positive that is what President Barack Obama is attempting to do. 

I see both sides. Keith had some good points, but he seemed naive about how compromises work. When you look at the bigger picture, we are saving many millions from losing their UE benefits. Now, we many be upset, but the folks who are receiving the benefits are happy about this.

To be real, no one truly came out on top. This was a Pyrrhic victory, a victory that has its good and bad sides. At this point, we can't harp on this forever. We have to see how this plays out.

WATCH Sen. Bernie Sanders say he might Filibuster the Tax Cuts Deal

WATCH the Full President Obama Press Conference on Tax Cuts

He's being real. It's hard to hear, but he has a hard job

I know folks are mad, but let's see how this plays out.

Just some perspective of "Framework" for the Tax Cuts Deal

Yesterday, President Obama talked about the framework for the Tax Cuts deal. Basically, it could mean that the Bush Tax Cuts will be extended for 2 years, but unemployment benefits will be extended for 13 months (the largest extension in history) and a 2% cut in the employee side of the payroll tax for one year, and a some of the expanded tax credits included in the 2009 Recovery Act.

But I wanted to state that this is a "Framework", meaning none of this is set in stone. More changes could come before the unemployment benefits are over (in 3 months). I know folks are upset and mad about this supposed deal, however this deal could help over 150 million people.

Think Progress has the scoop

For comparison’s sake, The Wonk Room has a chart detailing both the number of people (in millions) who benefit from each side’s priorities, as well as the total cost (in billions). Obama’s components of the tax deal (extended unemployment benefits, the payroll tax cut, and the extended credits) will cost $214 billion to aid 156 million people. The Republicans priorities (extending the Bush tax cuts for the rich and cutting the estate tax), meanwhile, will cost $133 billion, but only benefit roughly 4.8 million people.

So, in order to get desperately needed help for the long-term unemployed and to provide the middle-class with tax relief in a weak economy, Obama agreed to tax cuts for a small, wealthy portion of the population that the Republicans were willing to go to the mat for, even if it meant that everyone’s taxes went up if the Bush tax cuts expired. Excluded from this analysis is extension of the broad-based Bush tax cuts, on which everyone agreed. The total package will cost about $900 billion over the next two years, entirely financed through deficit spending.

I hope this helps a little. Again, these are tough decisions. Both groups are not truly winners, but hopefully, the 156 million will get the help they really need.

Question of the Day: Tax Cuts Edition

Watch Obama's framework for the Tax Cuts

What do you think? Me, I think it's not perfect or cute, but that's what a comprise is. It's tough, but there a bigger picture involved.
But I'd like to hear from you.

Senate's measure to extend Tax Cuts to the Middle Class, Failed. President Obama is Not Pleased

Today, the measure to extend tax cuts to everyone but the rich, failed. The GOP and some Dems voted no, unless the rich was included.

President Obama was not pleased

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

The House Passes Tax Cuts for Middle Class 234-188

Well, here we go as 'The Mess in Congress' series continues. Today the House passed the Democratic bill to extend middle-class tax cut.
Here's more:

The House has passed a bill to extend middle-class tax cuts while letting those for the wealthy expire, even as talks continue on extending the cuts for everyone.

The bill is a political maneuver to satisfy Democratic supporters who oppose extending tax cuts for the wealthy. Even if the bill passes the House, it has no chance in the Senate, where Democrats need Republican support to pass a tax bill.

Sweeping tax cuts enacted under former President George W. Bush expire at the end of the year. A small bipartisan group of lawmakers and Obama administration officials continued negotiating Thursday on a deal that could extend all the tax cuts, at least temporarily.
The House passed the Democratic bill by a vote of 234 to 188.

The Senate is next, let's see what happens.

source

Look Out Tea Party! The Other 95% is Coming

A group of Obama supporters came out yesterday to address the Teabaggers.

They are called The Other 95%


Check out their site

Alan Grayson vs Michele Bachmann on "Larry King Live."

Rep. Alan Grayson debated with the Queen of the Loons, Michele Bachmann on "Larry King Live" last night.

The topic was about Health Care and the rest is great fun to watch.