The GOP case for the higher taxes on the wealthy
Acknowledging their weak bargaining position, the Republicans should go first and unequivocally accept rate increases for the wealthiest two percent. Then the Republicans would have the credibility to argue that they have done their part, and demand that the Democrats put forward a serious plan for entitlement reform.
Imagine if the Republicans offered this deal. The dynamic of the debate could change completely.
Instead of all the attention being on the Republicans, their unwillingness to ask a bit more from the wealthiest among us, and the Norquist pledge, the spotlight would shine on the Democrats. Are they really willing to cut spending? Are they really willing to reform entitlements?
All of the sudden, the Democrats would lose their main talking point — a talking point which they have been employing, successfully, for over a decade.
All of the sudden, the Republicans would look like the reasonable adults, putting country before politics — which they would be doing. The onus would be on the Democrats to match their seriousness.
Blowback
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its not the worse argument, but the left will not budge, prepare to go over the cliff.
rob verdi on December 15, 2012 at 10:34 AM
A small business owner making $250,000 is not “wealthy.” Just sayin’…
Fallon on December 15, 2012 at 10:43 AM
To what extent do the establishment Republicans really want to cut spending? Do they have the stomach for it?
It’s more expedient for both sides to concentrate their efforts on that top 2% of evil rich people, even though it’s common knowledge the only positive outcome of that is helping fulfill Obama’s redistributionist vision.
Drained Brain on December 15, 2012 at 10:52 AM
The case is simple. Rich people voted for Obama. I only wish they could target those specific rich people. But otherwise, Tell the conservative ones to “prepper” up and rape the rest. People need to feel some pain in their lives so that they wake up to this crap.
nazarioj001 on December 15, 2012 at 11:05 AM
By rape, I mean tax to death.
nazarioj001 on December 15, 2012 at 11:06 AM
It would be far better to cut deductions in such a way that Republicans can say that they are “raising the effective rate” by more than Obama wants to, while keeping the marginal tax rate where it is right now. It would raise more money and not kick the economy in the balls.
Count to 10 on December 15, 2012 at 11:09 AM
Yes. When the result of this deal is inevitable failure, the dynamic of this debate will change to the tax increase on the “wealthiest 2%” wasn’t high enough and “we need to” increase taxes even further on the “wealthiest” 2.5% to “make up for the ‘lost’ (read: unrealized) ‘revenue’” (the difference between projected and actual revenue). And the coward Boner will once again bend to the political “pressure”, cry some more, then ungratefully lash out at the base that elevated him to his current position (one completely beyond his competence, by the way) and insist that we once again get our “asses in line”. Establishment Republicans are so predictable. And stupid. And obnoxious.
fitzfong on December 15, 2012 at 11:13 AM
Then they came for me
and there was no one left to speak for me.
Panther on December 15, 2012 at 11:32 AM
It isn’t a tax hike on the “wealthiest two percent.” It is a tax hike on the top two percent of income earners. Which is different from the top two percent of the wealthy or even the top two percent of earners. If you accept the left’s Orwellian terminology, you’ve already surrendered.
besser tot als rot on December 15, 2012 at 12:16 PM
The way its going, we’re soon gonna mirror France, where the ‘rich’ are packing up and fleeing.
tommy71 on December 15, 2012 at 12:22 PM
I’ve got an idea for a new tax that the Democrats will eject!
Let’s Tax Abortions!
Wander on December 15, 2012 at 12:26 PM
Everyone pays 10%, across the board.
Leftists believe in egalitarianism and enlightenment. This w/b very fair, across the board.
Hah, hypocrites!
Schadenfreude on December 15, 2012 at 12:49 PM