Democrats push tax hikes first in deficit talks

[ShadowLiberal]

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/09/30/us-usa-debt-supercommittee-idUSTRE78T5QE20110930

(Reuters) - Democrats want tax hikes to be the first item negotiated in "super committee" deficit-reduction talks, trying to force Republicans to confront an issue at the heart of this year's budget fights, sources told Reuters.

The tough stance by Democratic members of the powerful 12-member congressional panel reflects the party's wariness that Republicans might try to sideline the issue of revenue increases in the negotiations.

...

Another congressional aide, who also did not want to be identified, confirmed that among Democrats, "there is an effort to try to discuss revenues" now.

During the super committee's initial closed-door meetings, "Republicans wanted to just talk about spending cuts and Democrats said, 'No,'" the aide said.

I'm glad to hear democrats are coming out right away pushing tax hikes as needed to balance the budget long term. Letting it be all about spending cuts is a loser for the economy and democrats.