If you're not fuming about this tax deal, you should start right about now

[No Passaran]

Some key conservative activists and consultants claim that the bill could fail in the House because of growing grassroots opposition among Tea Party types - the mirror opposite of last week's Democratic concern about liberals torpedoing the same legislation.

"The sand is shifting under this very fast," said Craig Shirley, a Washington consultant who advises the Tea Party Patriots among other groups. "If it doesn't get voted on soon, it could get voted down."

That's probably an exaggeration. It's hard to imagine the GOP as a whole voting down a bill with close to $1 trillion in tax cuts. But it is growing more obvious by the minute that Republican leaders underestimated the internal political risks of the deal.

And if the discontent is deep enough, President Obama and the Republican leadership may wind up in the odd, even humiliating situation of depending on Democratic votes to pass what is essentially a Republican tax measure.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/14/tax-bill-now-its-the-tea-_n_796849.html
More deficit to blame on Democrats in 2 years. And we are playing right into their hands

[ProSense]

1. Not only is that a ridiculous claim by Fineman, but

why should anyone be concerned about the deficit in relation to Republicans and teabaggers?

Republicans can't even defend their own position on deficits (see Rachel Maddow's report last night).

Also, Republicans were the ones who negotiated the tax cuts for the rich.

The rest of the package, middle-class tax cuts, stimulus provisions, payroll tax holiday and unemployment benefits, is what Democrats support.

In terms of the deficit, given the President's effort to reduce the deficit thus far, why would anyone worry about his ability to reduce it even more in the future?

[brentspeak]

7. ProSense: "Payroll tax holiday is what Democrats support"

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/12/15/929322/-Rush-Holt-makes-case-against-Social-Security-payroll-tax-cut">Rush Holt makes case against Social Security payroll tax cut

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20025808-503544.html">Lloyd Doggett to present an amendment striking the payroll tax holiday from the bill, arguing it would jeopardize Social Security's solvency

http://tothecenter.com/news.php?readmore=14402">Ted Deutch says payroll tax holiday "will open the door to cutting Social Security benefits."

[ProSense]

8. Are

members of the CBC Democrats?

The CBC's counter-proposal showed few signs of members giving up ground. The proposal includes a two-year extension of the Bush-era tax cuts for the middle class -- which was part of the tax-cut measure that the House passed this month -- as well as a payroll tax holiday and a 13-month extension of unemployment insurance benefits. All three components are priorities for congressional Democrats.

link

[ewagner]

2. "More deficit to blame on Democrats .."

Indeed!

This whole bill was a nasty little trap. The Payroll Tax Holiday...is a direct assault to Social Security and Obama doesn't understand how the Republicans will use this to cut the knees out of Social Security in two years....

Two points which are going to get me into deep trouble here I'm sure:

1. Obama is naive in believing the Republicans are negotiating in good faith...even if those with whom he is negotiating will keep their word and not campaign against their own compromise, their surrogates, 527's, PACs and what ever will crucify him in 2012.

2. Obama says he will fight the extension of the upper 2% tax cuts in 2012....Mr President, you said you would fight them in 2008 and again you said the same thing this year....and you didn't...so how am I supposed to believe that you will in the future?

[Teaser]

3. another user telling me how to feel

that never happens on DU.

[Champion Jack]

4. +1000

[harun]

5. T-Partiers are phonies. They will vote yes on it.

[mtnsnake]

6. LOL, I've been fuming about this ridiculous tax deal since Day One

We got hosed again and the apologists don't care to admit it, nor can they explain how we're going to pay for it.