Citing deficit, ratings agency downgrades U.S. credit

[RandomGuy]

This fight is because Obama is fighting for tax increases. He had the opportunity to let the Bush tax cuts expire and he didn't. He could have easily let them expire and now been in the position of fighting for tax cuts & spending cuts. He blinked too soon and that's entirely his fault.

I kind of agree.

He caved on the Bush Tax Cuts, and it is biting him in the ass. That is what he gets for trying to work with Republicans, who have consistantly stabbed him in the back at every opportunity. Can't say as I blame them, they are good at what they do.

[LnGrrrR]

How long before Obama sends some cronies after this agency, a la Wikileaks?

[LnGrrrR]

This fight is because Obama is fighting for tax increases. He had the opportunity to let the Bush tax cuts expire and he didn't. He could have easily let them expire and now been in the position of fighting for tax cuts & spending cuts. He blinked too soon and that's entirely his fault.

It is Obama's fault, for giving the Republicans something they wanted, and then expecting the Republicans to play nice. He's an idiot in some cases with his "bipartisanship". He should just say, "You know what, we're raising taxes, and that's it. I'll veto anything that doesn't have tax raises. Have a nice day."

Of course, that's assuming that he stands behind his words.

[SnakeBoy]

He should just say, "You know what, we're raising taxes, and that's it. I'll veto anything that doesn't have tax raises. Have a nice day."

That's a losing argument. What makes him an idiot is he could be arguing for middle class tax cuts and the GOP would have a choice of going along with what he wanted or arguing no middle class tax cuts unless our rich buddies get tax cuts too.

[ElNono]

That's a losing argument. What makes him an idiot is he could be arguing for middle class tax cuts and the GOP would have a choice of going along with what he wanted or arguing no middle class tax cuts unless our rich buddies get tax cuts too.

That makes him an idiot? There's no more room for tax cuts, any class.

[LnGrrrR]

That's a losing argument. What makes him an idiot is he could be arguing for middle class tax cuts and the GOP would have a choice of going along with what he wanted or arguing no middle class tax cuts unless our rich buddies get tax cuts too.

How would middle class tax cuts help break our deficit?

[SnakeBoy]

How would middle class tax cuts help break our deficit?

I didn't say they would. I said if he had let the Bush tax cuts expire he could be making that argument. Keep the increase on higher brackets, lower the middle class rates (still could be higher than currently). In other words he would be holding all the marbles and the the GOP would have his foot on their throats.

[LnGrrrR]

I didn't say they would. I said if he had let the Bush tax cuts expire he could be making that argument. Keep the increase on higher brackets, lower the middle class rates (still could be higher than currently). In other words he would be holding all the marbles and the the GOP would have his foot on their throats.

In that scenario, I don't think there's really any question Republicans would defend the upper-class, and spin it so that the middle-class would think that raising their taxes to support breaks for the upper-class is essential to a healthy, functioning economy.

, that's what they do today.

[LnGrrrR]

We must cut social security, welfare and Medicare/Medicaid so we can support these Bush tax cuts!

[Winehole23]

now you're gittin it.

[Winehole23]

How would middle class tax cuts help break our deficit?

The more quickly we quit our debt, the sooner we are relieved of our burden, and more lightly do we bear it. You know, interest payments and so forth. The sooner we start, the better it is for us in the long run. All together now!

[Winehole23]

Never mind the hit to revenues from extending the Bush/Obama tax cuts.

[Winehole23]

That goes without saying, I think. It's basically inconceivable that they won't be extended again. Both parties gotta grovel hard to the class of political donors.

[Winehole23]

Tax cuts are the new sacred cow.