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
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161 comments Add your comment
carlosgvv
July 18th, 2012
1:51 pm
Kyle, I’ve read this five times and I just don’t see her saying anything about “taking the middle class hostage”. Also, I don’t see anything about her being willing to “throw the middle class under the bus”. I guess we’re not reading the same article.
JDW
July 18th, 2012
1:56 pm
@Kyle…bus…hostage…where?
On the other hand….
“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.”
Preach On Sister, Preach On!
If Republicans try the same nonsense they tried last time this issue came up they deserve to be “thrown under the bus” by the “middle class hostages”.
@@
July 18th, 2012
1:59 pm
It’s that vengeance thingy!
Where would dems be without their victims?
schnirt
Jefferson
July 18th, 2012
1:59 pm
Win some, lose some and some are rained out. Its only money.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
July 18th, 2012
2:03 pm
The Senate won’t belong to the dummycrats in November so let this lib blow.
Give her the microphone.
Del
July 18th, 2012
2:04 pm
Good old Patty Dreary
Jefferson
July 18th, 2012
2:04 pm
Just pass it on to your employer, I don’t pay taxes, they do.
stands for decibels
July 18th, 2012
2:04 pm
I’ve been on record for years as supporting an end to the Bush era tax cuts for everyone, although I’d prefer that they be phased out hitting the upper quintile (or thereabouts) first, then hitting the next four, oh, 6-12 months thereafter in descending order.
So if this is what happens if the “hostage” is “shot”, meh.
JMHO. I recognize the political stakes rate far more than a “meh.” But I’ll leave that to others to fight over.
1961_Xer
July 18th, 2012
2:09 pm
So… Murray will throw us middle class families under the bus to keep us from being thrown under the bus. Thanks.
You don't say
July 18th, 2012
2:09 pm
Phase out the current rates back to the Clinton rates over the next two years and do the same with the EITC.
You don't say
July 18th, 2012
2:10 pm
And we need both parties to put everything on the table for cuts. Some areas will need more than others, however no area should be immune.
Jefferson
July 18th, 2012
2:10 pm
Brush up your resume too, while the brushing is good. Waitin’ on the Bus, got my brown paper bag and my takehome pay.
Inside Out
July 18th, 2012
2:15 pm
Am I missing something????
Interested Observer
July 18th, 2012
2:18 pm
Republicans support extending the Bush tax cuts for people making $250,000 or less. Democrats support extending the Bush tax cuts for people making $250,000 or less. So, why not just extend the Bush tax cuts for people making $250,000 or less? It’s not often that Congress agrees. So when they do agree, they should take action.
Frankly, I don’t buy the argument that Democrats are holding tthe middle class “hostage.” Democrats are willing to extend tax cuts for 98% of Americans today. It’s the Republicans who are refusing to pass legislation that both parties agree on because Republicans can’t get everything they want.
John Galt
July 18th, 2012
2:26 pm
Look at all those taking Kyle to task yet were completely silent on Jay Bookman and his “little people” title the other day.
DebbieDoRight - A Do Right Woman
July 18th, 2012
2:31 pm
Murray is in a predominantly republican district. She’s listed as a “Blue Dog” and is trying to desperately hang on to her seat via hook or crook. IOW — she’ll say or do anything she has to do to get reelected.
If there is such a thing as karma, I hope she’s creamed by another more “liberal” dem in the Primary.
John Galt
July 18th, 2012
2:34 pm
“A favorite talking point among redistributionists is to say the tax code was much “fairer” under President Bill Clinton, than it has been since the Bush tax cuts of 2003. New Congressional Budget Office (CBO) figures show that the top 1% paid 21.3% of all federal taxes from 1993 to 2000, when Clinton was president, but they paid 25.1% from 2003 to 2008, after the Bush tax cuts. If 21.3% was a fair share in the Clinton years, then the top 1% has been paying much more than its fair share since 2003.”
—Cato Institute
http://www.cato-at-liberty.org/the-cbo-on-falling-incomes-and-rising-tax-shares-of-the-top-1/#utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Cato-at-liberty+%28Cato+at+Liberty%29&utm_content=Google+Reader
weetamoe
July 18th, 2012
2:34 pm
Chappaquiddick July 18 1969 : a smart, beautiful young woman abandoned in a watery grave by the former (cowardly) lion of the senate.
@@
July 18th, 2012
2:36 pm
From the McClatchy link:
Yet some of the strongest support for extending all of the tax cuts came from some of Obama’s most reliable supporters, such as young voters, minorities and the poor and working class.
Young voters ages 18-29 favored tax cuts for everyone by a margin of 69-29, the largest margin of any age group.
Latinos favored tax cuts for all incomes by 62 percent to 36 percent.
Whites supported tax cuts for every income by 50 percent to 44 percent.
African-Americans split, 48 percent for limiting the tax cuts to incomes below $250,000 and 47 percent for extending them to all incomes.
And those making less than $50,000 supported tax cuts for all incomes by 53 percent to 41 percent.
Read more here: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/07/13/156148/poll-majority-want-tax-cuts-for.html#storylink=cpy
^^^ That gives me hope the dem’s class warfare tactics have FINALLY lost their appeal.
There’s no value in pitting Americans against one another.
stands for decibels
July 18th, 2012
2:43 pm
From the McClatchy link:
…wherein we learn that Americans support tax cuts.
Ya don’t say.
Did they ask these Americans how they felt about ponies? And puppies?
jay
July 18th, 2012
2:46 pm
I predict Kyle is gonna be one madly disappointed conservative shill blowhard come the end of the second Tuesday in November.
curious
July 18th, 2012
2:47 pm
Does this mean the Republicans are willing to throw the middle class “under the bus” if they don’t get their tax cut?
Sounds like the Republicans are the ones holding the middle class hostage.
jay
July 18th, 2012
2:48 pm
@@ – “There’s no value in pitting Americans against one another.”
Wrong, you are. It worked very very well for George the Fratboy. If it aids in Obama’s reelection, I’m all for it.
Dusty
July 18th, 2012
2:54 pm
I must say………..
Sounds like the Mafia is writing ;propaganda notes for the Democrats this year. At least , they haven’t said “We’ll bury you in New Jersey !” Well, not yet. I guess “throw you under the bus” sounds a little less murderous. A threat is a threat is a threat and you can bet on that!
Thank you, Patty Murray. And she is a SENATOR representing the people of American in Washington ???
Folks, we are in BIG trouble.
You don't say
July 18th, 2012
2:56 pm
Dusty
Guess you haven’t really looked into the two dolts we have here in GA: Isakson and Chambliss.
And I voted for one of them….
Pizzaman
July 18th, 2012
2:57 pm
I can’t believe what I saw on South Cobb Drive yesterday. A white man, older than I (also white) with an Obama/Biden 2012 sticker. Must have been a Yankee transplant or a mistake!
Kyle, if you Repubs can’t get off this no new taxes and cut what is there, I want you to win. And when your side loose Social Security and Medicare I want to hear Mitt explain how it’s creating jobs. Neither party has any idea what to do except spend REDICILOUS amounts of money trying to BUY the election.
Vote early, vote often!
Dusty
July 18th, 2012
3:10 pm
Jay @ 2:48
Jay, in case you haven’t noticed, Bush is not in this election although I wish he was or somebody like him. So put down your AK47, hide the gang tatoos and try to control your envy of rich and successful people. Let the Dem senators in Washington carry out the threatening maneuvers. They have had more practice.
Dusty
July 18th, 2012
3:14 pm
You don’t say @2:56
Alll I’ve got to say about Isakson and Chambliss, is this: If you don’t like them they must be good.
jay
July 18th, 2012
3:16 pm
Dusty – Oh brother! I guess I ought not to be surprised, however, since reading comprehension never was a strong suit of the unwashed, anti-”elites” conservative crowd. In case YOU didn’t notice (which, clearly, YOU did not), the Fratboy was used as a counterpoint to @@’s wrongheaded assertion that “There’s no value in pitting Americans against one another.” Next time, please try reading AND comprehending (that’s why they call it “reading comprehension”, duh!) before responding. Thank you.
Mike
July 18th, 2012
3:17 pm
Republicans think the country needs more rich people. Democrats think the country needs more poor people.
Inside Out
July 18th, 2012
3:18 pm
@@,
Will you please tell me has there EVER been a time when Americans have not been pitted against one another???? This country has been built on competition and what is competition if not one vs. the other??? And in this country, it is not just one do a bit better and the both do well, its I win, and crush youand run you out of business or you do the same to me…… The Red-heads have really jumped the shark with this one…..
Shine
July 18th, 2012
3:20 pm
Gag———raise taxes on large incomes AND cut spending. When will the kook Republicons grow up?
Dusty
July 18th, 2012
3:20 pm
Pizzaman, 2:57
So there was an old white guy on Cobb Drive with an Obama sticker on his bumper. Why were those guys with nets and strait jackets chasing him?
Shine
July 18th, 2012
3:23 pm
Dusty, they wanted a cool bumper sticker too, not a drag Romney the kook sticker.
Ray
July 18th, 2012
3:23 pm
Dusty why do you have to be so nasty and bitter all the time? Is it possible for you to communicate your thoughts (and often good ideas) without the all that drippy venom? I often vote Republican, contribute to Republicans and volunteer for their campaigns, so please don’t go off on me down that path, again.. It just more pleasant to hear a true debate on issues, than all this name calling.
Bruno
July 18th, 2012
3:28 pm
Kyle, I’ve read this five times and I just don’t see her saying anything about “taking the middle class hostage”. Also, I don’t see anything about her being willing to “throw the middle class under the bus”.
I have to agree with Carlos that Kyle’s characterization was a little over the top.
However, what is even more over the top is the ongoing Democrat meme that somehow the “rich” aren’t paying their fair share in taxes. If we’re going to address the budget crisis head-on, it will take a shared sacrifice. Letting the Bush/Obama tax cuts expire in their entirety is one approach.
Ultimately, we’re spending waaaay too much as a country. During Bush’s reign, we spent an average of $ 2.5 T per year. now, the new “baseline” budget figure is $3.5 T. We haven’t had that much inflation in the past few years to justify an almost 50% increase in spending. Cut, and cut now.
DannyX
July 18th, 2012
3:28 pm
Pew Research poll. July 12-15, 2012
“Do you think raising taxes on income over $250,000 would help the economy, hurt the economy, or not make a difference?”
Help…44%
Hurt…22%
No Difference…24%
Unsure…11%
“Do you think raising taxes on income over $250,000 would make the tax system more fair make the tax system less fair, or not make a difference?”
More Fair…44%
Less Fair…21%
No Difference…25%
Unsure…10%
Frontman
July 18th, 2012
3:29 pm
DebbieDoRight,
“Murray is in a predominantly Republican district.”
Huh? She’s a SENATOR. They are elected statewide. The WA House delegation has 5 long-term Dems and 4 Reps. Both US Senators are Dems.
And, if you think Murray is a Blue Dog, then you probably thought that Ted Kennedy was a conservative.
Bruno
July 18th, 2012
3:29 pm
Dusty why do you have to be so nasty and bitter all the time?
Ray–Dusty is nice to me.
DannyX
July 18th, 2012
3:30 pm
“However, what is even more over the top is the ongoing Democrat meme that somehow the “rich” aren’t paying their fair share in taxes.”
See my 3:28 post, doesn’t seem to over the top at all.
Bruno
July 18th, 2012
3:32 pm
The Senate won’t belong to the dummycrats in November so let this lib blow.
Reporter–The Repubs are going to have to win the House, Senate AND the White House if we have any chance of repealing ObamaCare. It’s only too bad the Supreme Court justices forgot all about their vows to uphold the Constitution and interpret the law as written. Roberts took it upon himself to rewrite the damn thing.
Capt Jack
July 18th, 2012
3:33 pm
Anyone starting a conversation with we vs. they or, us vs. them is the reason the US is in mess and should be removed from the process.
Dusty
July 18th, 2012
3:33 pm
Jay, dear heart, 3:16
My reading comprehension is very good. Good enough to spot a devoted do-or-die Democrat a mile off. Their introduction is always “Bush Bush Bush” before they give the “blah blah blah” team cry against the “evil rich” ( even though the “evil rich” are most often Democrats).
PS…You do know that Prez Obama is very rich! And….he hangs out with those elite “frat boys”! Aint it just awful!
jconservative
July 18th, 2012
3:35 pm
The National Debt as of 07/17/2012 – $15,884,155,929,632.05.
Who is going to pay this bill?
@@
July 18th, 2012
3:36 pm
jay:
Wrong, you are. It worked very very well for George the Fratboy. If it aids in Obama’s reelection, I’m all for it.
It was the Iraq war that divided Americans. I find it interesting that, although Obama has gone even further than Bush did in his commitment to defend America against terrorism, there’s no outcry from his previous anti-war advocates.
It’s also interesting that a recent Pew report determined America to be more divided under Obama than it’s ever been.
stands for decibels
July 18th, 2012
3:40 pm
Coupla semi-heretical responses to inquiries/comments.
Who is going to pay this bill?
Same guy who paid it since we started running a debt 200 plus years ago. Nobody. You don’t pay off a national debt. Na gone duit.
And I guess I’ll lie awake nights worrying about our overall debt the day that we have to offer something more than zero percent, or whatever it is, for short term T-bills in order to get people to continue having faith in the power of our currency.
we spent an average of $ 2.5 T per year. now, the new “baseline” budget figure is $3.5 T
And maybe we need to spend that much, yes? It’s around ten grand per person in this, the richest, most powerful single nation ever on Earth.
I guess I don’t get the angst over spending ten grand per person, in principle. Now, failing to come anywhere near close to actually funding that spending, I agree, is not something a nation can do forever. However, see also ^^.
Hillbilly D
July 18th, 2012
3:40 pm
A lot of these modern politicians should get out some old films and watch the old time masters. They could talk for an hour and never say a thing. Either that or just learn to stay away from microphones.
Hillbilly D
July 18th, 2012
3:43 pm
sfd
Andrew Jackson did pay off the national debt but he was the last one to do it. I imagine however long the country lasts, his feat will remain unique.
DannyX
July 18th, 2012
3:44 pm
Dusty @ 3:33- “Good enough to spot a devoted do-or-die Democrat a mile off. Their introduction is always “Bush Bush Bush”
Wall Street Journal Poll June 20-24, 2012.
“When you think about the current economic conditions, do you feel that this is a situation that Barack Obama has inherited or is this a situation his policies are mostly responsible for?”
Obama inherited…60%
Obama responsible…26%
Some of both…11%
Unsure…3%
These results show why Republicans freak out every time that little 4 letter word is spoken…BUSH!
Of course Democrats will bring up &%^#
jay
July 18th, 2012
3:44 pm
@@ and Dusty (ditzy would be more appropriate, but I suspect it’ll run afoul of Kyle’s diktat . . . er, rules . . . and I’m therefore neither calling nor implying that Dusty is “ditzy”) – YOU’RE BOTH WRONG. End of discussion. Have a nice day and good luck in 2016.
Inside Out
July 18th, 2012
3:45 pm
@@,
America has ALWAYS been divided!!! The difference is that now the have nots have a means (The internet, social media outlets) to express their dis-satisfaction with the degree of the divide…..
Pizzaman
July 18th, 2012
3:46 pm
Where is Tiberius when you really need him. I ask again, and will continue to ask, what are the facts? How will Mitt pay the bills w/o raising taxes? How will Mitt create jobs? How will Mitt change the ACA? How will Mitt do anything he is currently claiming he will do? My guess. He has no idea and won’t have any plan in place until well after he’s elected, if … …….!
Frontman
July 18th, 2012
3:46 pm
DannyX, you may want to check the methodology on that Pew survey. Phone numbers were picked at random. Land lines accounted for 60% of the survey results, and when there was an answer on a land line, the Pew researcher asked to speak to the youngest person in the house age 18 or older. There is some other mumbo-jumbo in the methodology about weighting of the samples based on all kinds of junk. In short, sounds like a climate change paper to me. Also, only 58% of respondents were able to identify Obama as the one who wants to raise taxes on those making more than $250K. This makes it pretty clear that the sample was a dim-bulb sample as well. Then again, that may explain the 44% number thinking that raising taxes will help the economy…
stands for decibels
July 18th, 2012
3:48 pm
HD, thanks, I stand corrected.
That was 1835, so it’s been 177 years, not two hundred-plus.
Dusty
July 18th, 2012
3:49 pm
Ah that Ray of sunshine,
So sorry I judged you wrongly. I DID??? When it walks like a duck, talks like a duck and puddles like a duck, I assume it is a ducky Democrat. R U sure your name is not Donald?
——————–
ah BRUNO, el capitino and sweet tomatoE of medicine, I luvs U 2.
Ann Romney
July 18th, 2012
3:51 pm
What an outrage, trying to reduce the deficit by increasing taxes and cutting spending….doesn’t Sen. Murray know that she should be lowering taxes and increasing military spending like my husband proposes?
Now excuse me while I finish my taxes…..I have more equestrian training expenses to deduct.
Jefferson
July 18th, 2012
3:52 pm
Bruno, Sorry but I’m one who thing the court knows more than you. You don’t have to get all mad about it.
Jefferson
July 18th, 2012
3:52 pm
s/b thinks — love the edit feature.
@@
July 18th, 2012
3:53 pm
YOU’RE BOTH WRONG. End of discussion.
jay taking the easy way out.
Alrighty din! Reminds me of another jay, I know.
America has ALWAYS been divided!!! The difference is that now the have nots have a means (The internet, social media outlets)
Probably why they’re not securing their own fortune. From what I’ve been told, paid bloggers don’t make that much.
stands for decibels
July 18th, 2012
3:54 pm
I have more equestrian training expenses to deduct.
Hey, I’ll be rootin’ for your steed, week-after next. Politics ends at the water’s edge.
I demand to see Cheesy Grits Birth Certificate- Long Form Please
July 18th, 2012
3:56 pm
Alll I’ve got to say about Isakson and Chambliss, is this: If you don’t like them they must be good.
Yeah Chambliss is a real sweetheart.
He constantly called a man ( Max Cleland ) who lost both legs and his arm in Vietnam Un-American so he could get elected.
Meanwhile Chambliss didnt serve at all.
Of Course Georgia voters fell for it.
Bruno
July 18th, 2012
3:58 pm
ah BRUNO, el capitino and sweet tomatoE of medicine, I luvs U 2.
Thanks, sweet Dusty.
Now if I could just get @@ to be nice to me, I’d be in blog heaven.
Hillbilly D
July 18th, 2012
3:58 pm
America has ALWAYS been divided!!!
That I’d agree with. The only time this country has been united for any length of time was WWII, in my opinion. And that just lasted a few years.
ah BRUNO, el capitino and sweet tomatoE of medicine,
Is that name-calling. Perhaps we need a ruling here.
Dusty
July 18th, 2012
4:05 pm
DannyX, 3:44
A poll! A poll! My kingdom for a poll! So you found one. I could probably find a half dozen that prove Obama has wrecked the economy, bankrupted the nation and now whispers to Russians. Wanna bet?
So Democrats love Obama (yah..free food, homes & healthcare!) and Republican sigh (the debt! the debt!).
So sorry, Danny X, but polls are like the weather. The forecast is sometimes wrong!
Michael H. Smith
July 18th, 2012
4:06 pm
Those old jackboot fascist democrat hostage takers, how dare those Marxist! They want to throw America and the American middle class under the bus, pull the plug on granny and push Bill Clinton’s welfare reform as we knew it over the cliff.
@@
July 18th, 2012
4:07 pm
Bruno:
Now if I could just get @@ to be nice to me, I’d be in blog heaven.
Growing up, my Dad and brother offered this advice when it came to boys. “Always leave ‘em wantin’.”
(ISH)
1961_Xer
July 18th, 2012
4:07 pm
Republicans think the country needs more rich people. Democrats think the country needs more poor people.
Not quite.
Republicans think that the pool of money can grow, and that all those with the ideas/work ethic/business plans/etc to be rich can become rich.
Democrats think that the pool of money is fixed in size. You only “need” so much money. After that, you don’t “need” anymore, and for you to keep more means that other Americans and/or citizens of the developing world won’t have enough to meet their needs. They believe that once each person’s “need” is met that producing anymore harms the planet and should immediately stop.
Jim
July 18th, 2012
4:09 pm
This backwards! Republicans will not allow the middle class the tax break unless the very rich receive the tax break as well. If you have been following this discussion, you know it is obvious. Please do not misrepresent/cloud the positions of Democrats and republicans. Shameful journalism.
DannyX
July 18th, 2012
4:13 pm
“So sorry, Danny X, but polls are like the weather. The forecast is sometimes wrong!”
Dusty that is not very nice, I’m sure Kyle worked very hard on this current blog post. Why the disrespect for Kyle?
Michael H. Smith
July 18th, 2012
4:15 pm
Speaking of bankrupt I hear another city in the Socialist State of California is on the verge of having to declare insolvency or default on their bonds. Guess they’ve ran out of other people’s money to pay those union pensions, aye Kyle?
Then again perhaps the remainder of the John Galt society of Compton, Marxifornia all left the country taking their money with them to Central America.
Dusty
July 18th, 2012
4:16 pm
Hillbilly D, 3:58
Are you trying to get me moderated, evaporated and exasperated when I only want to be tolerated? Sob!! Will there be no justice in the Kingdom of Kyle!
But I forgive you. Just don’t tell Bruno that I luvs U 2.
Hillbilly D
July 18th, 2012
4:17 pm
The only polls that really matter are held the 1st Tuesday in November of even numbered years. The rest of them are just killing time.
Get Real
July 18th, 2012
4:18 pm
E&Y has already indicated what would happen if we raise taxes on $250K and up….go ahead…make the recession much worse than it is..
@@
July 18th, 2012
4:19 pm
Since the constitution within some cities prohibit bankruptcy, others are using “fiscal emergency” as a means to unburden themselves from the largesse of their public unions.
MarkV
July 18th, 2012
4:23 pm
I hope the Democrats in Congress will steel their spines and not cave in to the Republicans’ extortion this time.
Dusty
July 18th, 2012
4:27 pm
Danny X, 4:13
Speak not a harsh word against our Brother Kyle. After all, he PUTS UP WITH US EVERY DAY, That’s more than a mother can do most of the time. .
So he has a little weakness for polls. Well, it’s not as fattening as chocolate and more interesting than a picket fence. So calm yourself. Stand tall. The best is yet to come. President ROMNEY!!
JDW
July 18th, 2012
4:27 pm
@Bruno…I responded to your last post downstairs…
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right
July 18th, 2012
4:30 pm
DannyX citing polls on how Americans feel on issues just proves that years of government education doesn’t really make people smarter.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right
July 18th, 2012
4:31 pm
And nice hyperbole, Kyle.
Kyle Wingfield
July 18th, 2012
4:31 pm
Sorry, folks, been writing tomorrow’s print column…
JDW @ 1:56: Where? Really?
“So if we can’t get a good deal … then I will absolutely continue this debate into 2013 …”
Tax rates go up Jan. 1. “Continue this debate” = everyone’s taxes go up.
Kyle Wingfield
July 18th, 2012
4:33 pm
Debbie @ 2:31: “a predominantly republican district”? As a senator, she represents the entire state of Washington — which, last time I checked, was not a GOP stronghold in the least.
Thomas Heyward Jr.
July 18th, 2012
4:34 pm
One Federal thug out of 10,000 American citizens can not take ANYONE hostage.
.
The sooner you Obama/Romney pansies figure this out………the quicker we can put these goons behind us.
.
Maybe the wimps in Brussels meekly obeyed.
This is America.
.
Molon Labe.
Jefferson
July 18th, 2012
4:35 pm
Tax increases are not that bad, I lived thru Pres Reagan’s, Pres Bush’s, President Clinton’s and the country didn’t turn into a pumpkin.
Kyle Wingfield
July 18th, 2012
4:37 pm
DannyX @ 3:28: Yep, saw that one. It says that a narrow plurality thinks a) raising taxes would not help the economy, and b) would not make the tax code more fair. (After all, if you think it will have no effect, you don’t think it helps or makes things more fair.)
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
July 18th, 2012
4:48 pm
Bruno- I understand all that very well, my comment was to remind everyone that with 26 or so dummycrat seats in play versus 6 Repug, the Senate is pretty much a foregone conclusion. That’s why Murray is shrieking hysterically.
Last chance to raise taxes, hahaha.
Stick in her a jar and put her on the shelf.
BW
July 18th, 2012
4:51 pm
Seems like everyone from both sides are in a hurry to see who can point out the most “outrageous” thing one side has said….all for what? Does this actually solve any problems or show a way forward? So it’s either my way or the highway….we’ll see if that actually holds up after the elections in November because we both know that if the current status quo Congress composition remains that both sides will be compromising to avoid the sequester and tax rate battle. By the way Kyle, equating (falsely I might add) Patty Murray’s statement with extremism pales in comparison to the witchhunt that the esteemed representative from Minnesota and our own Lynn Westmoreland are leading on Huma Abedin. If I were unbiased and had to make a call on which was more extremism, it wouldn’t even be close.
BW
July 18th, 2012
4:53 pm
I Report
I’ve seen as many as polls showing the Senate switching hands “a foregone conclusion” as I’ve seen of those giving Mitt enough electoral votes to win….not one.
@@
July 18th, 2012
4:55 pm
Andy:
Read your last sentence.
===================================
FYRE!
This comment got the lowest score on the AJC’s vent (which I didn’t know they still had).
“You guys can be so mean!”
Just so you know.
@@
July 18th, 2012
4:55 pm
Oops!
Reporter.
Bruno
July 18th, 2012
5:05 pm
Just don’t tell Bruno that I luvs U 2
Didn’t know you were a big Bono fan, Dusty. Or maybe you like the Edge……
PB got me good a few days ago when a Duran Duran song came on the radio. She asked me in a serious voice which Duran was my favorite…….
Just saying..
July 18th, 2012
5:06 pm
My goodness, Kyle. I guess this method of “negotiating with the another Party is…is…
truly unprecedented.
Lynnie Gal
July 18th, 2012
5:11 pm
Kyle, you and all worshippers of the wealthy that are begging for more tax cuts for millionaires are the same idiots who are running around scaring people about the deficit and government spending for the elderly and poor! You can’t have it both ways–either the deficit matters or it doesn’t. It doesn’t seem to bother you so much when it comes to tax breaks for millionaires.
Bruno
July 18th, 2012
5:13 pm
Well, we still haven’t gotten Kyle to crack and reveal his taste in music. PB has him pegged for a Trent Reznor fan, but I’m thinking more like Amy Grant. Not that there’s anything wrong with Amy Grant…….
For Dusty and @@, and any other ladies here (are there any other lady bloggers on board??). “Northern Sky” by the late, great Nick Drake:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3jCFeCtSjk
md
July 18th, 2012
5:15 pm
“Reporter–The Repubs are going to have to win the House, Senate AND the White House if we have any chance of repealing ObamaCare.”
I don’t agree Bruno…..Obama has shown the way……all that needs to happen is for Romney to get elected. Then, he can unilaterally decide not to enforce the hc law……….
JDW
July 18th, 2012
5:15 pm
@Kyle…”“So if we can’t get a good deal … then I will absolutely continue this debate into 2013 …””
Of course she should…if the Republicans are obstinate enough to turn down a tax decrease for 98% of the population she should keep trying into 2013.
If the Republicans choose that course I suspect they shall pay dearly…as do they…
Just saying..
July 18th, 2012
5:20 pm
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin…
July 18th, 2012-2:03 pm “The Senate won’t belong to the dummycrats in November so let this lib blow.
Give her the microphone.”
The next Congress is sworn in in November? Who knew?
Dusty
July 18th, 2012
5:29 pm
Beautiful music, huh? Sounds like thunder to me. AHHH IT IS THUNDER! I’d better get going here. Maybe the lightning will hold off while I tell you about Michelle Malkin’s new piece on the Banks of Obama. She is really “burning ‘em up” as she mentions” lots of Obama skeletons in bank vaults around the country but mostly in Chicago.” OBAMA’S FAT CATS she calls it.
Just read the NATIONAL REVIEW. Tells you a lot about the whole Big-O gang getting rich in a hurry mostly at taxpayer expense. And it is all factual!
Check it out….ooooo…..ZAP! ________________________!!!!!
Bruno
July 18th, 2012
5:29 pm
Then, he can unilaterally decide not to enforce the hc law……….
I wish it was that simple, md. Somehow I don’t think the IRS is going to be giving me any breaks.
md
July 18th, 2012
5:41 pm
“you and all worshippers of the wealthy that are begging for more tax cuts for millionaires are the same idiots who are running around scaring people about the deficit and government spending for the elderly and poor! ”
Last I checked, the choice was tax cuts for everyone or tax cuts for everyone……..seems folks are starting to believe their own imaginations when the word “more” starts getting flung around…….
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
July 18th, 2012
5:43 pm
You know what I meant, @@.
md
July 18th, 2012
5:47 pm
“If the Republicans choose that course I suspect they shall pay dearly…as do they…”
Depends on how the argument is framed…….the dems might not fair too well if it becomes “the dems are refusing to extend the cuts for everybody so they are in favor of raising taxes”
Which is worse, raising just the “rich” or raising everybodys? People in general tend to worry about their own wallet. If the dems hold out then it will be the dems that raised taxes.
Perception is a tricky thing………..
md
July 18th, 2012
5:48 pm
“I wish it was that simple, md. Somehow I don’t think the IRS is going to be giving me any breaks.”
One would think that true of DOJ as well……..but they got their marching orders. I see no reason the IRS can’t get similar orders………
sirwinston
July 18th, 2012
5:50 pm
The middle class has been held hostage for as long as I have known anything about being “middle-class” which is a step from being upper class. Now, I am not in that arena and don’t want to be either. But the real truth is (those of us) who want to be stamped in any of those names. It don’t make us any better, it don’t make us free from paying taxes; it don’t even know us by name. What it does do is make us pay more to support the rich. Who care’s about our nice cars, homes, and all of the material things we have in to day’s life….people just need to live and support their families. I don’t care who you are, what you have, or where you live how big your house is….you are nothing but a human being like the rest of us. What we all need to do is helping one and other because in the end, one day, you might need help and remember this, people don’t forget! Let us erase the middle class and upper class because we know on the other side of that door, you are a step away from being poor.
JD
July 18th, 2012
6:00 pm
The Republicans were gonna kill us anyway…
Lil' Barry Bailout (Unexpectedly Revised Downward--Again)
July 18th, 2012
6:04 pm
What is “balanced” about increasing taxes on the only folks who are paying them?
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
July 18th, 2012
6:08 pm
People think that because I am an African-American woman I am supposed to vote for Obama, she said. Well, I have been an African-American woman for a long time, and I’m not voting for him. 23 million Americans are out of work and incomes are falling. I’m working hard, Obama isn’t. He doesn’t know what hard work is. Her husband suffers from ALS, and she is her family’s sole support. I need Mitt Romney, she said. Hope and change? I’m hoping for a change.”
That’s what I’m talking about.
Rafe Hollister, suffering through Oblamer's ineptocracy
July 18th, 2012
6:09 pm
Do all of you on here that want the Obama Tax Cut Extension to expire realize what it is going to do to the economy? If the middle class has to give up $5-600 more dollars of their income, retail sales are going to plummet yet again. Even if you only raise taxes on the “rich”, you are going to tank the economy.
The top 5% pay 64% of all federal income tax now. That means 95% of Americans only pay 36% of the income taxes. This fairness push does little to eliminate the debt/deficit, but is just about to kill the golden goose.
TruthBe
July 18th, 2012
6:16 pm
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.
md
July 18th, 2012
6:16 pm
“What is “balanced” about increasing taxes on the only folks who are paying them?”
Well…..somebody has to pay since the left keeps spending what we don’t have……and since that is the group that has it, by default they should pay.
Pretty sad that this country has lowered it’s overall character by dictating who does and doesn’t pay based solely on “because they have it”…….
The ultimate removal of choices and consequences from the national conversation………
saywhat?
July 18th, 2012
6:18 pm
People think because I am a middle aged white male, that I am supposed to vote for Romney . I have been a white male for a long time, and I’m not voting for him. Incomes were falling long before Obama came into office, and we were losing jobs, not gaining jobs before Obama came into office. Now we are gaining jobs. I’m working hard, have always worked hard, but Romney isn’t and never has. He doesn’t know what hard work is. Firing people, taking their pension fund money as profits for yourself and then stashing the money into swiss bank accounts does NOT qualify as “hard work”, no matter how many hours a day you do it. I need Mitt Romney like a hole in the head. THATS what I”M talking about.
JDW
July 18th, 2012
6:23 pm
@md…”Perception is a tricky thing………..”
Indeed! However, I think and polls seem to bear out, that the majority will blame the Republicans if there is a comprimise offer on the table…and they will be right. You can only act like a spoiled child for so long.
saywhat?
July 18th, 2012
6:25 pm
“Pretty sad that this country has lowered it’s overall character by dictating who does and doesn’t pay based solely on “because they have it”…….”
____________________________________________________________
You are right. It makes so much more sense and moral courage to demand that people with the least amount of money bear a larger financial burden to run the government.
I find it far sadder that this country has lowered its overall character by dictating who does and doesn’t receive assistance based solely on “well, I don’t need it, so nobody else should get it”.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
July 18th, 2012
6:31 pm
Outsourced!
The Amonix solar manufacturing plant in North Las Vegas, heavily financed under an Obama administration energy initiative, has closed its 214,000-square-foot facility 14 months after it opened.
Maybe Bain will come and rescue it?
md
July 18th, 2012
6:32 pm
“You can only act like a spoiled child for so long.”
When the shoe was on the other foot, and the gop was trying to reform Fannie/Freddie with the dnc obstructing all the way, the crap hit the fan. Folks don’t look at the details, they look at who was in control……….and currently, that’s the dems.
Ray
July 18th, 2012
6:35 pm
All this gaming playing is the result of the the pledge Grover Norquist pushes on all GOP hopefuls.
The Bush tax cuts will expire, and anything after that point can be declared a new tax cut. OKAY. Don’t know who is really being fooled.
md
July 18th, 2012
6:38 pm
“You are right. It makes so much more sense and moral courage to demand that people with the least amount of money bear a larger financial burden to run the government.
I find it far sadder that this country has lowered its overall character by dictating who does and doesn’t receive assistance based solely on “well, I don’t need it, so nobody else should get it”.”
And there’s that big broad brush some like to use when painting…..Walmart does sell smaller ones.
When 50% of the population is paying no income tax, and 50% of the population is not in poverty, someone has no skin in the game……………basic math.
Ga applies a minimum tax on corporations…….as an example, a real estate agent that has incorporated is no longer doing business as an agent but wants to keep the corp open for later use, Ga charges a flat $10……….this is an example of “skin in the game”.
All you blowhards that say all the “poor” can’t pay anything are full of baloney…….
Love me some Reagan
July 18th, 2012
6:39 pm
Mitt Romney continued his attack on President Obama for recent remarks suggesting public investments help build businesses Wednesday, then all but admitted he agreed with Obama’s underlying point.
Romney, speaking in Ohio, said Obama’s speech last week “reveals what he thinks about our country, about our people, about free enterprise, about freedom, about individual initiative.”
“I just want to say it exactly as he said it,” Romney said. “Speaking about small business and businesses of all kind, he said this: ‘If you’ve got a business, you didn’t build that. Somebody else made that happen.’”
Romney conveniently ignored the sentences immediately before and after Obama’s quote, which made clear the president’s line referred to building public infrastructure like roads, bridges and the Internet that businesses utilize to their benefit. But Romney didn’t stop there: As he tried to twist the knife on Obama, he essentially made the president’s argument for him.
After exhorting business owners to stand up and be recognized, Romney said:
I know that you recognize a lot of people help you in a business. Perhaps the banks, the investors. There’s no question your mom and dad, your school teachers, the people that provide roads, the fire, the police. A lot of people help. But let me ask you this, did you build your business? If you did, raise your hand. Take that, Mr. President.
md
July 18th, 2012
6:45 pm
Love me…..the difference that you seem to be missing, is Obama seems to imply that it is the benevolent gov’t that provides all those things as the gov’t built it all as a collective. The part you are missing is that businesses first gave gov’t the money to do what it did…….and those businesses were run by individuals as well…………
Lil' Barry Bailout - Vote American
July 18th, 2012
6:48 pm
The nitwits don’t care if they wreck the economy, as long as they get to stick it to the folks who pay the bills…I mean, the evil rich.
Lil' Barry Bailout - Vote American
July 18th, 2012
7:17 pm
For the First Time, Canadians Now Richer Than Americans
The average Canadian household is worth about $40,000 more than their American counterparts
By MEG HANDLEY
————————————–
Obozo’s thinking that he would have preferred it was Mexico, but to him it’s progress.
Obozo hates America. And if you work for a living, he hates YOU.
@@
July 18th, 2012
7:25 pm
tump…tump…tump
is this thing still on?
saywhat?
July 18th, 2012
7:33 pm
“When 50% of the population is paying no income tax, and 50% of the population is not in poverty, someone has no skin in the game……………basic math.”
__________________________________________________________
I would bet that 50% of the population don’t pay capital gains taxes either. So what? Income taxes aren’t special. A tax is a tax. Money is money regardless of its source. If a larger percent of one’s tax burden comes from sales taxes, or the payroll tax, its still a contribution to the running of government. The overall tax burden as a percentage of NONDISPOSABLE income remains higher on the working poor and lower middle class. Trying to get more from them, while at the same time trying to cut services to the very same people, further DECREASING their DISPOSABLE income, all so we can afford to cut taxes and INCREASE the disposable incomes of high income people is an illogical, and depraved line of thinking.
Rather than increase taxes on people who make the least amount of money, why not devise ways to encourage the oh so worshipped “job creators” to actually pay people what they are worth, i.e. give them a fair share of the profits associated with their increased productivity of the past 40 years? That will yield far more “skin in the game” through taxes paid than trying to squeeze blood from a turnip.
MarkV
July 18th, 2012
7:34 pm
The President was absolutely correct in what he said about a business using infrastructure it has not built, and the Republicans keep lying about what he said.
md
July 18th, 2012
7:39 pm
“The President was absolutely correct in what he said about a business using infrastructure it has not built”
And once again mark…it was businesses that built that infrastructure…………..
Lil' Barry Bailout - Vote American
July 18th, 2012
7:40 pm
saywhat: The overall tax burden as a percentage of NONDISPOSABLE income remains higher on the working poor and lower middle class.
——————————
False. I’ve posted the numbers here before.
The fact is that the higher one’s income, the higher percentage in total federal taxes one pays.
Deal with it.
Moderate Line
July 18th, 2012
7:42 pm
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.
++++
And the Republicans are willing to through the middle class under the bus if the rich do not maintain their tax cuts. I think you have to be a partisan to buy your argument.
md
July 18th, 2012
7:43 pm
“If a larger percent of one’s tax burden comes from sales taxes, or the payroll tax, its still a contribution to the running of government.”
And once again, everybody pays those too at one time or another……….
The point you seem to be missing is the effect choices has on the entire equation…….we keep hearing about “fair share”, but how exactly is it fair for one to choose the simple life using all that is afforded everyone yet ask others that choose to make a little more to pay for it??
Just saying..
July 18th, 2012
7:45 pm
Barry/I Report/Tib/Dusty/@@:
Aren’t ya proud to welcome TruthBe to your ranks?
Lil' Barry Bailout - Vote American
July 18th, 2012
7:48 pm
And you, Just saying, are kindred spirits with the likes of Trashman and Gm?
What a proud day for you!
Sheila
July 18th, 2012
7:48 pm
Dems will do ANYTHING to raise taxes. It’s all the know.
saywhat?
July 18th, 2012
7:48 pm
“The fact is that the higher one’s income, the higher percentage in total federal taxes one pays.”
______________________________________
Gee, that’s certainly swell, but it has absolutely nothing to do with tax burden as a percentage of NONDISPOSABLE income. Please enlighten me as to what income level one should have to attain in order to be deserving of a modest disposable income, without Republicans wanting to tax it all away from you so the rich can have more tax cuts.
Just saying..
July 18th, 2012
7:50 pm
Bets on who’ll be shown the door first?
saywhat?
July 18th, 2012
7:50 pm
that should be “percentage of DISPOSABLE income”
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
July 18th, 2012
7:51 pm
ssshhhhhhhhh, nobody tell Kyle….
Lil' Barry Bailout - Vote American
July 18th, 2012
7:52 pm
Dems don’t care if they throw their own voters under the bus. They know that their parasite base doesn’t pay income taxes in the first place, and will be just thrilled knowing that people who are better than they are going to be paying more.
Just saying..
July 18th, 2012
7:52 pm
ssshhhhhhhhh, nobody tell Kyle….
Now THAT’s funny!
Lil' Barry Bailout - Vote American
July 18th, 2012
7:54 pm
What disposable income? The slothful spend all their income on necessities (and some for booze and drugs, of course).
saywhat?
July 18th, 2012
7:55 pm
Just saying..
July 18th, 2012
7:50 pm
Bets on who’ll be shown the door first?
__________________________________________
I’m guessing maybe the one who’s parents, grandparents and great grandparents appear to have all been VERY closely related.
Lil' Barry Bailout - Vote American
July 18th, 2012
7:59 pm
50% don’t pay any income taxes. The meager amount they pay in payroll taxes will be dwarfed by what they take out in Social Security and Medicare benefits. Bottom line, they’re not paying their fair share.
saywhat?
July 18th, 2012
8:01 pm
Lil’ Barry Bailout – Vote American
July 18th, 2012
7:54 pm
What disposable income? The slothful spend all their income on necessities (and some for booze and drugs, of course).
_________________________________________________
That would explain ALOT of your posts. Thanks for enlightening me.
Lil' Barry Bailout - Vote American
July 18th, 2012
8:04 pm
My pleasure!
@@
July 18th, 2012
8:13 pm
saywhat:
TruthBe? Appears to be part libertarian, part liberal:
STOP all foreign aid, foreign wars…
AND fiscally conservative: Stop ALL wasteful spending, subsidies
We need a flat tax across the board
I’m on board with the flat tax and subsidies thingy.
TruthBe is a mixed breed. I’m okay with that too.
A unique individual, to be sure.
saywhat?
July 18th, 2012
8:15 pm
@@, what makes you think I was referring to truthbe?
@@
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”. Reads like you’re talking to each other.
@@
July 18th, 2012
8:17 pm
A minute too late, saywhat?
md
July 18th, 2012
8:20 pm
Who’s on third? No, Who’s on second……….
MarkV
July 18th, 2012
8:21 pm
md @7:39 pm
Not any particular business, which is what the President was talking about, and not only business.
Kyle Wingfield
July 18th, 2012
8:22 pm
All right, folks, that’s all for tonight. Comments are in moderation until tomorrow morning.
Ray
July 18th, 2012
8:22 pm
Dusty,
You are not well. If you care about the party you find a way to make your points and yet moderate your hatred. This election will be won by those able to attract those in the middle. You are scaring off good people with your harsh antics.
@@
July 18th, 2012
8:22 pm
saywhat? and Just saying… show up like a tag team in wrestling.
@@
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…