People Citing Polls On Tax Cuts Ignore The Only Poll That Counts

[TomCADem]

The election results. Americans overwhemingly picked Republicans in this election. Republicans were clear in demanding a permanent tax cut for the rich. If Americans don't want this, then don't vote Republican. Do you really think Democrats can get a better deal from a Republican House majority?

[Dawgs]

1. Except the Republicans are still in the minority... n/t

[TomCADem]

4. Not next year in the House when the push...

Will be to make the cuts permanent.

[Capn Sunshine]

12. with a huge victory behind them

that's just not a thought that reflects how Congress actually works.

[Edweird]

2. The Dems supported RW policy and lost votes because of it.

I expect 2010 will look like a warm wet kiss compared to what's probably going to happen in 2012.

[TomCADem]

5. ...and those voters voted for RW Republicans...

...because the Democrats were too conservative? That makes no sense, yet it is a frequent talking point.

[Edweird]

9. 2006 and 2008 wasn't so that 'our team' could pass RW policy instead of 'their team'.

It was about moving to the left. Instead we are lurching rightward even faster and that loses support. 2010 was a display of some of that loss and disappointment and it's growing - due to unrelenting RW policy advocacy.

[Vinnie From Indy]

3. Well gee, what other favorite GOP programs will Obama promote now?

I mean seeing as how we lost the last elections, what is the point in fighting for ANY progressive legislation from here on out. I would seriously ask what other Republican policies and iniatives that the Prez should support, but then I remember that he has supported most from the start anyway.

In short, your silly post seems to offer that Dems are powerless to do anything other than what the GOP wants them to do. Nonsense!

[TomCADem]

7. Oh yeah, President Obama had so much Republican Support! ROFL!

I love the non-sense attack that President Obama pushed Republican policies. If up is down, are Republicans actually progressives?

[gratuitous]

6. I suppose the Democrats could filibuster, or the president could veto

But then, that would be unforgivable! Imagine playing politics with a politcal issue that affects so many wealthy people. Oh, the uncertainty of it all! Not knowing whether you'll keep $650,000 of your first million, or only $625,000. Weep, weep for their plight!

No, far better to compromise prematurely with a prospective majority in one house of Congress. The Will of Some of the People must be obeyed.

[TomCADem]

8. What about unemployment benefits?

It is easy to say that the Democrats should hold out and try their luck with Boehner as Speaker.

[gratuitous]

10. What about unemployment benefits?

The package announced in the compromise doesn't address people who have been unemployed long term (the so-called 99ers). There could be an argument made that with the expected increase in revenue as of January 1, a new stimulus program could be launched, this one designed as a jobs program. There's a lot of work that needs doing in the country, and a lot of hands available to do it. Instead of authorizing more unemployment benefits, the Democrats could propose such a program, and let the Republicans splutter. Remember how incensed they were when the House Democrats de-coupled the extension of tax cuts between income above and below $250,000? But for some reason, the Democrats decided to let that proposal go. The Republicans would be positively apoplectic to be put in a position to have to deny an unemployment benefit extension and a jobs program.

The Democrats could have also ratcheted up the pressure on Senate Republicans, demanding one or a few of those "up-or-down" votes Republicans are so fond of demanding when they hold sway. But again, the notion of playing politics seems anathema to the Democrats. I don't know why. But there have been and there are plenty of opportunities and maneuvers that could be tried, but other than getting prepdictably hosed on cloture in the Senate, they haven't much tried.

[TomCADem]

11. Please, The Media and the Left Would Give Republicans A Free Pass Like Healthcare & Financial Reform

Republicans simply tried to stall and kill healthcare reform and financial reform, yet they suffered no blowback for trying to kill these deals. You say, "The Democrats could have also ratcheted up the pressure on Senate Republicans, demanding one or a few of those "up-or-down" votes Republicans are so fond of demanding when they hold sway."

This assumes that the media and liberals would Republicans accountable. This year shows that we will not and do not!

We give them a free pass on letting Americans suffer with the media praising their "political gamesmanship" as our country suffers! What makes you think that this time, if we "force" Republicans to hold unemployment benefits hostage and middle class tax cuts hostage that it will be any different?

It won't. The corporate media will run interference. Even liberals will buy into the narrative and start praising the Republicans for their obstructionist tactics the same way some liberals on this board spoke in admiration of Republican efforts to stall healthcare: "They are so strong and united!"

Damn it, damn it, damn it, I see this media narrative being played over and over again. Roger Ailes who heads Fox News is a former GOP operative for goodness sakes. Karl Rove and Sarah Palin are on their payroll. And, even our beloved MSNBC is part of a huge multi-national conglomorate.

Until we liberals and the media, or in spite of the media, begin to hold Republicans accountable and make them suffer for their efforts to ruin the country for political gain, we will be our own worse enemies.