Howard Dean (re: Tax Plan): "I mean, do we not get anything for the $700 billion?"

[kpete]

"We clearly have to deal with the deficit; it is probably the biggest problem facing the country," said former DNC header Howard Dean. "But you can't deal with the deficit from a political point of view if you say to Democrats, we are going to cut Social Security and Medicare and, by the way, give tax cuts to those who make a million dollars a year."

Antipathy, however, was saved as much for the process of securing the final tax cut package as for the substance of the package itself. Suggesting that the deal could die in the House, Dean echoed a question other Democrats offered in the hours after Obama's announcement: Was enough secured in return?

"I'm not so sure you can get the House to agree to this in conference committee," he said. "And what about the president's other priorities: Don't Ask Don't Tell, START, DREAM Act? I mean, do we not get anything for the $700 billion?"

more:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/07/tax-cut-deal-lament_n_793105.html

[Autumn]

1. Well Howard we get a bigger deficit and they can start

yelling for cuts. Simple really. As for priorities, that is subject to change.

[Ganja Ninja]

15. Yup we get the blame for adding to the deficit. n/t

[Dawgs]

2. Exactly. This pill would be a lot easier to swallow if START, DADT, DREAM were included.

But not even one was included.

Thanks Mr. President.

:(

[BrklynLiberal]

3. The repuke answer to the question: You have gotten all you are going to get from us...

Take it or leave it. That is what they have said from day 1.

I hope the House kills this "compromise"

[CountAllVotes]

4. kill the compromise

This is not a "compromise", it is another giveaway to the rich. Same show different year. :puke:

[LiberalEsto]

5. We get a bigger screwing

if that counts.

[hootinholler]

10. Less lube too!

Always looking for the silver lining, eh?

-Hoot

[JamesA1102]

6. It's not $700 Billion

It's only about $140 billion and we get the unemployment extention for 15 months and tax cut for the middle class and tax credits for working people.

[jsamuel]

7. there is also a reduction of the estate tax

[JamesA1102]

11. That's only $30 Billion.

According to Ezra Klein: "If you look at the numbers alone, the tax cut deal looks to have robbed Republicans blind. The GOP got around $95 billion in tax cuts for wealthy Americans and $30 billion in estate tax cuts. Democrats got $120 billion in payroll-tax cuts, $40 billion in refundable tax credits (Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit and education tax credits), $56 billion in unemployment insurance, and, depending on how you count it, about $180 billion (two-year cost) or $30 billion (10-year cost) in new tax incentives for businesses to invest."

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/ezra-klein/2010/12/how...

[NashVegas]

13. Yay! Genetic Lottery Money!

[jillan]

8. Am I the only one wanting Dean to challenge Obama in 2012?

[Autumn]

16. No you are not the only one

I'm right there,and at this point, any Democrat who is willing will do.

[readmoreoften]

19. I'm for any primary challenge from a non-Blue Dog.

[Poboy]

9. recommend

[DearAbby]

12. Sheeyit just save time

Cut everything and then cut a check to the wealthy...

[democracy1st]

14. I say to hell with all tax cuts!

[Life Long Dem]

17. I agree.

Doesn't seem like enough in return, but Obama does need to get things done, and time is limited on the tax cuts for this.

It's funny how some here on DU complain about the deficit and the same ones would complain if the tax cuts expired saying Obama raised taxes. In this economy I think it's more important for tax cuts to get the economy going and once things get going this will take care of the deficit as there will be more workers for taxes.

[MisterP]

18. well, Dean, you're an actual strategist

the President, contrariwise, is surrounded by bootlickers who tell him he's the next Marshal Ney, and by a claque that scurries around the internet repeating such, in inverse proportion to political reality