The Propaganda reaches a crescendo: Tax deal 'recipe' could mix in help for all Americans

[DainBramaged]

Members of Congress said Sunday they are on track for a deal that would include a temporary extension of the George W. Bush-era tax cuts for all Americans. An extension of unemployment insurance — a demand of President Obama and many Democrats — would also be part of a potential agreement, lawmakers from both parties said on various talk shows.
"Most folks believe that the recipe would include at least an extension of unemployment benefits ... and an extension of all of the tax rates for all Americans for some period of time," said Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., who is involved in negotiations with the White House.

Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, D-Ill., who appeared with Kyl on CBS' Face the Nation, said, "We're moving in that direction," though he opposes extending tax cuts for the wealthy because it would add $700 billion to the federal budget deficit over 10 years.

Obama, meanwhile, said this weekend that he would be "rolling up my sleeves" to work with both parties on an agreement. "It will require some compromise, but I'm confident that we can get it done," he said.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2010-12-06-deal06_ST_N.htm

[hfojvt]

1. Yes, Mr. President, I too am worried that you can get it done

Confident that you are quite prepared to lavish a windfall on the rich and betray the working class. All too confident.

[Atticus]

2. So, does everyone have plenty of "personal lubricant" on hand? nt.

[alcibiades_mystery]

3. Why is that propaganda? How do you propose to get an unemployment extension otherwise?

What about the child care tax credit? What about the Making Work Pay credit? How do those get through otherwise?

What about DADT? The GOPers who announced that they would allow the Defense Authorization bill through with DADT repeal attached have made that vote contingent on the tax cuts going through. Are you willing to give up DADT repeal? What about the DREAM act? Can we get to a vote on that without the tax cut extension? Are you willing to give up on that?

The Republicans have a degree of leverage here. We can recognize that or not. It's really immaterial. If you say, "Let them all expire, and pass nothing else this session," fine. That's your position, but you're gambling with everything at that point, all in, as it were: unemployment benefits for 2 million jobless people and their families, child care tax credits that working people will rely on, DADT, the DREAM Act, all of it. You want to push all in, OK. But let's stop pretending that it's not a risky gamble to say "No deal!" on taxes. And not a political gamble, but a dire and deeply consequential gamble affecting the lives of millions. You may be willing to take that as a "win" for rhetorical and election purposes, but some of us think it is deeply irresponsible to do so.

A win for me is not having 2 million jobless without resources to pay the heating bill, the grocery bill, and the rent.

Think the GOP won't go there? Why? That's a calculation, and a big gamble with the lives of 2 million people.