Senate Dem leader: We’re taking the middle class hostage
Let it be noted that the first “hostage taker” reference in this year’s debate over extending the current income-tax rates should be applied to Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, who made clear in a speech Monday at the Brookings Institution that she and other Democrats will make the middle class pay if they can’t raise taxes on “the rich.”
Murray is the fifth-ranking Senate Democrat, so I take her remarks seriously.
Here are the first two “key excerpts” from the speech as listed on a press release from Murray’s office (these and the entire speech are available here):
… if Republicans won’t work with us on a balanced approach, we are not going to get a deal. Because I feel very strongly that we simply cannot allow middle class families and the most vulnerable Americans to bear this burden alone.
and
So if we can’t get a good deal, a balanced deal that calls on the wealthy to pay their fair share, then I will absolutely continue this debate into 2013 rather than lock in a long-term deal this year that throws middle class families under the bus. And I think my party, and the American people, will support that.
Got that? Murray and her party don’t want the middle class to get thrown under the bus alone, but they are perfectly willing to throw the middle class under the bus so long as “the wealthy” are down there, too. That, in their view, is better than the status quo.
Before sticking to that position, Murray might want to brush up on recent evidence about what the American people will support (note in particular the breakdowns for groups such as 18-to-29-year-olds, Latinos and those earning less than $50,000 a year).
– By Kyle Wingfield
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
161 comments Add your comment
@@
July 18th, 2012
8:34 pm
Ah pooh!
The least Kyle could do is read saywhat? and Just saying… a bedtime story before turning off the lights.
(ISH)
Bill
July 18th, 2012
9:32 pm
Kyle,
You simple partisan fool. You will try to make anything look like it is a slam. As much as it pains me to say this, I miss Jim Wooten!! We can all do better – surely you can!!
Regards,
Tap Out
July 18th, 2012
10:08 pm
Weak…nothing here to see. Everyone please disperse.
yuzeyurbrane
July 18th, 2012
11:28 pm
Kyle, I took up your offer to read the whole speech thru the link you offerred. I expect more of you and you should be ashamed of yourself for cherry-picking a couple of lines totally out of context.
Hillbilly D
July 18th, 2012
11:30 pm
Who’s on first, What’s on second, I don’t know third base……….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfmvkO5×6Ng
marko
July 19th, 2012
6:36 am
You read all that from that one small statement ? What if she’d said good morning? Would that mean things are just hunkie doorie in our great socialist fatherland?
Kyle Wingfield
July 19th, 2012
7:04 am
yuze @ 11:28: As I said in the OP, they’re the same lines Murray’s staff chose as “key excerpts.”
Lil' Barry Bailout - Vote American
July 19th, 2012
7:36 am
There is only one form of extension of Our President Bush’s tax cuts that is going to make it to the Senate–the one that doesn’t raise taxes on anyone.
The Senate will vote (or not, depending on Democrat obstruction) on the Republican bill.
TruthBe
July 19th, 2012
9:40 am
Vote Romney 2012 and get rid of the disgraceful obama.
TruthBe
July 19th, 2012
9:43 am
We need a complete overhaul of the tax code. We need to get rid of the IRS also. But Obama isn’t the right president for this because Obama doesn’t believe in capitalism or free markets. Obama is a true communist and has always been one. He just fooled most of you. We need a flat tax across the board with no increases allowed by congress or the states. Example 10% gross on your entire income.
That way no cheating or tax breaks needed. It would be a fair and simple way to run the country. Stop ALL wasteful spending, foreign aid, foreign wars, subsidies, government grants or handouts, affirmative actions, welfare, food stamps, overseas bases, corruption by the Senators, Congress, and the Liar-in Charge Obama. Make it simple stupid easy period……… If you want it then pay for it yourself. Fire all the career corrupt politicians (democrat and republican) and stop all their pensions and healthcare. make them work like the rest of us. Get rid of obamacare.
Just saying..
July 19th, 2012
10:38 am
@@
July 18th, 2012-8:16 pm “My apologies. My 8:13 should be addressed to Just saying…
One of you needs to change your name. “Just saying…”
“saywhat”.’
@@ makes a mistake, and suggests others change to accommodate her. Our good luck that’s not her position anywhere else…