So all that the Dems had to do to let the tax cuts expire was nothing, right?

[Orrex]

So, in other words, Democrats can't even do nothing right?

[msongs]

1. and repubs would have vote to extend unempoyment bennies anyway IMO

cuz to let all those millions lose their last incomes woulda been too dumb so its all a lose lose deal for dems today

[meow mix]

5. would have required some spinefullness

too bad

[alcibiades_mystery]

6. A very risky opinion

Rolling the dice with 2 million people and their families who would lose UI benefits before the end of the month (and millions more next year). It's a valid opinion, but it's just an opinion, and it's one that would have had horrendous consequences had it not cashed out.

[WillyT]

12. And Yet...

There was a time when if you were destitute, or just down on your luck, there was a political party that had your back.

And I guess we're trying to do that this time... kinda sorta...

But when the next 4 million people start getting kicked off of UI over the next year, we will have to grovel to a Republican Senate for the crumbs, while the rich will still have everything they wanted for the next two years. And maybe beyond that.

:shrug:

[Codeine]

8. Unless they had decided to be real dicks

and just write the whole thing off as the fault of the Democratic Congress; think the media would do anything other than play along enthusiastically with that one?

[rbixby]

16. You think they really would have?

A lot of their mindless low income base (who's belief in the republican party is still a mystery to me) would lose their UE benefits as well. It would definitely look bad for them as well, and they need lots of the stupid low information voters to vote for them. Cutting off their benefits is definitely not going to win them any votes either.

[Skittles]

2. CORRECT

[WillyT]

3. Very Good !!!

:applause::applause::applause:

:rofl:

:hi:

:kick: & R !!!

[Write Left]

4. I don't know if it's right to blame Democrats. Obama and Republicans are doing this.

The Democrats don't get a say in the matter because they have the White House and majorities in both houses.

[oamwobo]

7. Have the repugs ever permanently blocked unemployment extensions

since Obama has been in office? They always seemed to have felt the heat from their constituents and voted for all the extensions.

So, why all the kabuki?

[Orrex]

10. Permanently? No.

But when you're unemployed and already three months behind on your mortgage & car payment, a kabuki delay of even a few weeks can be catastrophic.

Of course, that doesn't matter at all to our fiscally responsible friends across the aisle...

[oamwobo]

15. Sounds like quite the deal, a few weeks for two years of shoveling 100's into the Bentleys

With the promise that they will be there in 24 mos to fight for more tax cuts for more years.

[Ruby the Liberal]

9. You got it.

They could have fought like hell for UI extensions. Rather, they are going to give up 24 months of wealth tax cuts and a waiver of estate tax >$5mm value over 13 months of UI for those within the tier 4 level. Nothing for tier 5 (99ers).

Nice, eh?

[pa28]

11. Well turned Orrex.

Fortunately Congressional Democrats can still decide to stage an intervention before this mess becomes a reality.

[Orrex]

13. That's an excellent point, and it remains my sole hope

Of course, if they stand their ground and stop this disaster from coming to pass, I'm afraid that they'll get a measured and thoughtful rebuke from the President, gently scolding Congressional Dems for failing to reach across the aisle in the spirit of compromise...

[provis99]

14. the republicans are going to vote against the deal, anyways.

So Obama got jack squat, despite giving Republicans what they wanted.