shouldn't we atleast off set a cut in payroll tax with a slight rise in the capitol gains tax.

[Skink]

or a small transaction tax.

[customerserviceguy]

1. If they were part of the same budget, that might make sense

How does raising the capital gains tax refill the coffers of the Social Security System, that is about to lose 15% of it's income next year, if this thing passes?

[Skink]

2. Personally I think the first 20,000 should be exempt anyway...

but I would have no problem funding social security with a transaction tax or other progressive taxation. But yeah let's defund social security with this tax holiday?

[customerserviceguy]

3. Exactly

And when the Repigs come down at the end of 2011 with a partial privatization of that two percent, since the President "already didn't need it anyway," we will not have any moral ground to stand against this idea. And you can bet that he will sign off on anything like that, since he really doesn't believe in keeping Social Security solvent.

[Skink]

4. Who does he think he is.

and does this make employers exempt also?

[customerserviceguy]

5. If it doesn't make employers exempt

It will give them something to bitch to their congresscritters about. It will be one of the forces pushing for partial privatization.

[subterranean]

6. Social Security won't lose income.

Money from the general budget will be used to replace the lost revenue from the payroll tax holiday. I think the OP was suggesting raising the capital gains tax to offset the resulting $150 billion increase in the deficit.

[OhioBlue]

7. Well, the deal isn't done. Congressional Dems

aren't that happy with it and reports are that McConnell and Boehner can't rally all of their R votes around it. So... they need the Dems.

Perhaps we will see the deal reworked with a capital gains tax increase, or raising the cap on SS? Yesterday I thought the Rs were the ones that were winning the messaging war... but now I'm starting to rethink it - they're crowing so loudly, sending out letters to their donors bragging... now they own it and want it passed badly - if Dems stand strong, push the Rs on the fiscal issue of adding to the deficit and make them compromise on some tax increses... the Rs will have to give on some stuff to get it passed -

hopefully....

[Skink]

8. An Optimist.

Sounds to rational.