Open Thread–2/18/2012

 Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Feb 182012
 

Yesterday I clearly needed to rest, and except for cleaning out my email, paying bill, and the normal hours I spend in research I rested, sleeping longer than usual in the afternoon.  I’m current with replies.  Today I may have an errand to run.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 3:19 (average 5:08).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Short Takes:

From MoveOn: The Best Quote From Barack Obama We’ve Seen This Week

18Obama-quote-full

The Republican project to transfer wealth from the poor and middle classes to the 1% IS class warfare. This is another example of Republican projection.

From Washington Post: Congress passed a $150 billion economic package Friday, extending for the rest of the year a payroll tax holiday for 160 million workers and unemployment benefits for millions of others.

On a 293-132 vote, a bipartisan House coalition supported the compromise plan to keep giving workers a small amount of extra cash with each paycheck while also providing a continued cushion for the unemployed.Shortly afterward, the Senate voted 60 to 36 to approve the plan. It now goes to President Obama to be signed into law, giving him a victory on a portion of the massive jobs bill he presented to Congress last fall.

Score a big one for the good guys!

From LA Times: Pat Buchanan has been dismissed by MSNBC, the left-leaning news network, four months after the channel suspended him.

In an angry post on his blog, conservative commentator Buchanan took his critics to task, writing, "After 10 enjoyable years, I am departing, after an incessant clamor from the left that to permit me continued access to the microphones of MSNBC would be an outrage against decency, and dangerous."

Buchanan says the calls for his firing began with the publication in October of his book "Suicide of a Superpower: Will America Survive to 2025?" about America’s decline, which critics have called racist, homophobic and anti-Semitic.

Buchanan was fired because he made racist comments on air, while plugging his white-power book on MSNBC time.  Good riddance to bad Bircher rubbish.

Cartoon:

18Cartoon

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 Posted by TomCat at 12:00 am  10 Responses »  Tagged with: , , , , , ,

The Deal

 Politics
Feb 162012
 

After Democrats blocked Republican attempts to poison the payroll tax cut extension with the Keystone XL Pipeline, mandatory drug tests for unemployment benefit recipients, and more.  Republicans finally found that they had boxed themselves into a political corner from which they escape only by giving-in, which they did on all but one thing.  They still refuse to make millionaires, billionaires and corporate criminals share the burden that their greed has imposed on the rest of us.  And already, Republicans are lying about it.

16TheDealLast year, when Democrats and Republicans were negotiating a short-term extension of the payroll tax holiday, multiple Republicans pushed the false idea that extending the payroll tax cut would undermine Social Security by robbing its trust fund of vital revenue. Those claims were repeatedly debunked by media outlets, members of Congress, and even the Social Security Trust Fund’s chief actuary.

Republicans, however, either missed that debunking or have willfully ignored it. With Congress nearing a deal to extend the cut through 2012, GOP leaders like Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI), who as the House Budget Committee chairman has positioned himself as the party’s top budget and finance authority, is again pushing the false notion that the payroll tax cut will hurt Social Security, as The Hill reported today:

Ryan warned that the the move could erode the Social Security Trust Fund, which is funded by the payroll tax.

“Members on our side of the aisle are divided on this question. I personally have a problem with what happens with the Social Security trust fund. So people are divided on this; the Democrats agreed to it, I’d say I don’t really know what the number of Republicans are that agree to it, so they basically decided to bring it to the floor and let Congress work its will, and let people vote however they want to,” Ryan said during an interview with WLS Radio in Chicago.

As Jared Bernstein, the former chief economist to Vice President Biden, wrote in December, the payroll tax holiday was specifically crafted to protect Social Security by requiring the nation’s general fund to replace any lost revenues in the trust fund… [emphasis original]

Inserted from <Think Progress>

Two days ago I was mistaken that losses to the trust fund would not ne replaced, because I did not yet know that the deal has a provision to replace all lost revenues in the trust fund from the general fund.  So when Ryan says that it will erode the Social Security trust fund, he is lying, although Ryan lying will surprise nobody.

I do find breaking the wall between the trust fund and the general fund disturbing, but I find that far less disturbing than Republicans protecting the super rich from sharing the sacrifice.

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 Posted by TomCat at 12:04 am  8 Responses »  Tagged with: , , ,

A Win for Democrats?

 Politics
Feb 142012
 

House Republicans appear to have caved in on the payroll tax cut extension, because they say they are willing to pass it without paying for it.  While this seems to be a win for Democrats, I’m not so sure.  There are things about this that do not satisfy me, because they leave a future minefield.

14UnemployedRepublican leaders in the House of Representatives on Monday dropped their demand for spending reductions to pay for extending a tax cut for 160 million American workers, setting up a likely breakthrough for agreement with Democrats.

The about-face cleared the way for the Republican-led House to vote this week to renew for 10 months the tax cut set to expire on February 29.

The Democratic-led Senate would likely support the payroll tax extension as laid out by the Republicans, even though they prefer including in the deal provisions on jobless benefits and payments for doctors treating Medicare patients that Republicans now want to negotiate separately.

Notably, the offer was issued by both House Speaker John Boehner, the top Republican, and his deputy Eric Cantor, who has often taken a more hardline approach in budget negotiations with Democrats over the past year… [emphasis added]

Inserted from <Reuters>

Here are the problems.  First, the Republican offer does not pay for the extensions.  That means that either the Social Security Trust Fund will not be reimbursed, or it will be reimbursed out the general budget.  The former weakens Social Security’s viability, giving Republicans a talking point.  The latter ends the Democrats’ claim that Social Security is paid for exclusively by contributions, also giving Republicans a talking point.  We need to pay for the extensions with a tiny income tax surcharge on people making over $1 million.

Second, it separates out unemployment benefits and Medicare’s ‘Doc Fix’.  Unless these are included, Republicans maintain a hostage to use in more economic terrorism, especially leaving the unemployed out in the cold.

Ezra Klein and Brian Beutler are just as suspicious as I am.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

I certainly agree that Democrats must look this gift horse in the mouth, and modify it to include unemployment benefits and the ‘Doc Fix’.

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 Posted by TomCat at 12:01 am  7 Responses »  Tagged with: , , , , ,

Tax Cut Draws More Republican Obstruction

 Politics
Feb 122012
 

As the deadline fast approaches, there is still no agreement on the Payroll Tax Cut Extension for two reasons.  First, Republicans are threatening Main Street America with this tax increase, unless they can get some welfare for corporate criminals as a trade off.  They want to attach the Keystone XL Pipeline.  Second, Republicans accuse Democrats of having no way to pay for it.  That, of course is a lie.

12shared-sacrificeLawmakers agreed in December, after much bickering, on a two-month extension, but that runs out at the end of this month. Obama said in his weekly radio and Internet address Saturday that Congress "needs to stop this middle-class tax hike from happening. Period. No drama. No delay."

Obama said the economic recovery must not be jeopardized by a failure to stop payroll taxes from rising, and he urged listeners to add their voices.

"I hope you’ll pick up the phone, send a tweet, write an email, and tell your representative that they should get this done before it gets too late. Tell them not to play politics again by linking this debate to unrelated issues. Tell them not to manufacture another needless standoff or crisis," Obama said. "Tell them not to stand in the way of the recovery. Tell them to just do their job. That’s what our middle class needs. That’s what our country needs."

Lawmakers have made halting progress on legislation to extend the tax cut. The bill also would renew jobless benefits for the long-term unemployed and prevent doctors from a 27 percent cut in their payments from Medicare, the government health care program for the elderly. But the plan costs $150 billion-plus and lawmakers will have to find a way to pay for it… [emphasis added]

Inserted from <USA Today>

Here is the video, or if you prefer, the transcript.

Democrats, do have a way to pay for this, a tiny surcharge on people making over $1 million per year, but Republicans insist on blackmail.

12GOPBlackmailCongressional Republicans said Thursday that negotiations over extending a payroll tax cut were going so poorly that it was possible the tax break — along with added unemployment benefits — could expire at the end of the month.

If the benefits are allowed to lapse, it will be a stunning coda to a battle that has lasted months on Capitol Hill over whether and how to extend a two-percentage-point tax break for nearly every working American and to provide additional unemployment benefits for millions more. A temporary agreement forged in December cost Republicans politically and left both parties locked in another round of fights over how to cover the costs.

In addition, Republicans are seeking numerous policy changes connected to unemployment benefits — like a mandatory high school equivalency program and possible drug testing for beneficiaries — that Democrats have rejected out of hand. They would also reduce the benefits to 59 weeks, far less than the 79 weeks sought by President Obama… [emphasis added]

Inserted from <NY Times>

This is not difficult to understand.  Republicans want tax cuts for millionaires, billionaires, and corporate criminals only.  Republicans want to raise YOUR taxes.  They face the problem that the public is solidly against them on both extending the tax cut and on how to pay for it.  So they are casting about, desperately seeking a way to pick YOUR pocket and blame it on the Democrats.

I urge you to support Obama’s request and make some noise.

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 Posted by TomCat at 12:09 am  19 Responses »  Tagged with: , , , , ,

More Infighting on Payroll Tax Cut Extension

 Politics
Feb 062012
 

Republicans find themselves in a dilemma.  They claim to be the party of tax cuts, and they don’t want you to know that the only tax cuts they really care about are for millionaires, billionaires and corporate criminals.  They have already earned some very bad PR trying to block the payroll tax cut extension.  With the need to renew it fast approaching, they can either keep holding workers hostage trying to blackmail Democrats for something they want, or they can give a tax cut to working people, without getting welfare for the super-rich in return, an anathema to Republicans.  It appears that their early attempts at economic terrorism through blackmail are not working.

6payrolltaxSenate Democrats have begun preparing a backup plan to extend a tax cut for workers if a special congressional negotiating committee fails to reach quick agreement, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said on Friday.

Reid’s comments, in a conference call with reporters, were seen by some congressional aides as a signal to Republicans that he is prepared to play hard ball on an issue that favors Democrats in an election year.

House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner, the top Republican in Congress, has struggled to convince rank-and-file members to lay aside their doubts about the stimulative effect of the tax cut. Party leaders fear being punished in the polls if it is allowed to expire at the end of the month.

Word of Reid’s backup plan on the payroll tax cut ignited a sharp response from Boehner, who complained that Democrats had yet to offer any serious proposals in negotiations… [emphasis added]

Inserted from <Reuters>

Reid is not talking about what this backup plan may be, but I’m certain it will involve bringing measures to the Senate floor that force Senate Republicans to either approve the payroll tax cut extension, no strings attached, or filibuster to prevent its passage.

Democrats should stand absolutely firm on this issue.

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 Posted by TomCat at 12:24 am  11 Responses »  Tagged with: , ,

Open Thread–2/6/2012

 Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Feb 062012
 

Early Yesterday morning I had a bout of violent nausea shortly after posting articles.  I felt better later in the day, but just queasy enough that my planned game day feast became a bowl of soup and crackers.  I watched the Super Bowl and enjoyed a good game.  The commercials were almost as entertaining as the game.  I’m current with replies.  Today I have errands to run.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 3:02 (average 4:19).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Short Takes:

From Think Progress: The past week brought heightened discussion of a potential Israeli unilateral attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities. But House Intelligence Chairman Rep. Mike Rogers (R-MI), appearing on CNN’s State of the Union with Candy Crowley this morning, agreed that an Israeli attack would “light the Middle East on Fire” and could be “a real problem for the national security interests of the United States.”

On those very rare occasions where a Republican actually says something honest and sensible, it is only proper that I give credit where credit is due.

From Raw Story: Former White House press secretary Ari Fleischer will help the Susan G. Komen foundation deal with its decision to halt grants to Planned Parenthood and the subsequent PR disaster, according to the Washington Post.

Fleischer served under the Bush administration.

I’m not surprised that Komen is turning to a professional Republican liar to help them spin their dastardly deed.

From Crooks and Liars: Federal Election Commission filings released this week showed that conservatives groups are amassing an ocean of cash for the 2012 presidential campaign. Thanks to the likes of the Koch brothers, the Walton clan and other of the usual suspects on the right, in 2011 conservative SuperPAC’s outraised their liberal counterparts by more than seven to one. But if they win, rich Republican donors could more than get back the millions they invested. As it turns, just one law they are trying to buy – the elimination of the estate tax – could put billions of dollars back into their families’ bank accounts. Of course, that gaping hole would have to be filled by all other American taxpayers.

There is no doubt whatsoever about who the 1% want in power.  Don’t help them.

Cartoon:

6Cartoon

t queazt

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 Posted by TomCat at 12:23 am  6 Responses »  Tagged with: , , , , , , ,

You Say Corporate Taxes Are Too High?

 Politics
Feb 042012
 

Two of the finest whines Republicans have with their cheese are that corporate taxes are too high and that Obama has raised corporate taxes.  The more Republicans whine about these things, the more uninformed people believe them.  However, these are Republican politicians and pundits, so whenever there are whining, they are also doing something else.  They are lying.

4CorpTaxIn recent decades, corporate tax revenue has plunged, falling from about 6 percent of gross domestic product in the 1950′s to less than 2 percent today, due to a proliferation of corporate tax breaks and the use of offshore tax havens. According to the Congressional Budget Office, in fact, corporate tax receipts as a share of corporate profits have hit their lowest point in 40 years:

Corporate tax receipts as a share of profits are at their lowest level in at least 40 years.

Total corporate federal taxes paid fell to 12.1% of profits earned from activities within the U.S. in fiscal 2011, which ended Sept. 30, according to the Congressional Budget Office. That’s the lowest level since at least 1972. And well below the 25.6% companies paid on average from 1987 to 2008.

Even the 25.6 percent share of profits that went to corporate taxes over the last quarter century comes in below the top statutory corporate tax rate of 35 percent. Meanwhile, corporate profits are currently at a 60 year high, rebounding back to above where they were before the Great Recession hit… [emphasis original]

Inserted from <Think Progress>

No the next time you hear Republicans lie about this subject, you will be armed with the truth about their lies.

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 Posted by TomCat at 12:05 am  21 Responses »  Tagged with: , , ,
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