Can someone explain why the Republicans would be against the payroll tax cut?

[Dawgs]

It seems to me that this is an argument by some on the left for this bill. That it was something the Democrats compromised to get; implying that the Republicans didn't want it.

So, can someone explain why the Republicans would be against another tax cut; especially one that takes from a social program that the Republicans don't like?

[Jackpine Radical]

1. Fox. Rabbit. Briar patch.

[DrDan]

3. that's it - right on target

[ProSense]

2. Because they

want to cut/privatize/eliminate Social Security, not provide money for the middle class. This payroll tax holiday does not touch Social Security.

[LiberalFighter]

16. Why do you say it doesn't touch Social Security?

[MannyGoldstein]

4. It increases the deficit by primarily helping working Americans

Worst possible combination.

[Jackpine Radical]

13. Ah, but the help to the workers is temporary.

Republicans love deficits. That's their primary mechanism for "starving the beast." Besides, all their friends are the ones who end up collecting the interest. And the PR tax holiday stands a damn good chance of sinking SS once and for all.

[xchrom]

5. i hate andrew sullivan -- but he has been an admirer of reagan -- like obama --

and he has this little blurb about it.

http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2010/11/against-a-payroll-tax-holiday.html

'My point is that if allowing the Bush tax cuts to expire is the biggest tax increase in history, one that Republicans claim would decimate a still-fragile economy, then surely expiration of a payroll tax holiday would also constitute a massive tax increase on the working people of America. And what are the odds that the economy won't still be fragile a year from now? Zero, I would say.'

that i know sullivan is still a conservative with love in his heart for obama.

[no_hypocrisy]

6. In part, because they can't take full credit for "giving money back to the American People".

[Dawgs]

8. Good point, but not a good argument for the Democrats defending it.

:hi:

[DrToast]

7. Because it doesn't benefit rich people

[Dawgs]

10. It does if the Republicans can use it to weaken Social Security.

Which they will try to do in two years.

And if you trust Obama/Democrats to not fold then I feel sorry for you.

[bushisanidiot]

9. Because it's part of a compromise with a Black President and their tea bagging

base will pissed off that they agreed to anything.

[still_one]

11. For those repukes, it is because it adds a trillion to the debt with no way to pay it off

Of course it could eventually mean the end of social security as we know it

but at least currently, many repukes have been running against high deficits

[Dawgs]

12. I thought tax cuts pay for themselves.

At least that's what the Republicans have been telling us.

I don't see why this wouldn't apply to the payroll tax.

[still_one]

14. It is a talking point for them. How do you tell if a republican is lying? If his lips are moving

[pa28]

15. According to Larry Summers the payroll tax cut was a Republican preference.

I'm not sure why anybody would say otherwise.