Here We Go With the Next Round of the Ever-So-Predictable Class Warfare
Many of us predicted this (I did in today's column), though it didn't require prescience; just common sense and experience. President Obama, being forced out of his budget apathy by Paul Ryan's Path to Prosperity and other things, is getting ready to unveil his plan to reduce the debt. White House Press Secretary Jay Carney gave us a foretaste today, saying that Ryan's plan "fails the test of balance, and balance is essential." How does it fail that test? Ah yes, it puts the burden of balancing the budget on seniors, the middle class and the disabled, while failing to ask for more from the evil, "richest Americans."
It is particularly annoying that Obama has already presented his ten-year budget and that it was cynically unserious about debt reform (including average trillion dollar deficits as far as the eye could see), and completely ignored entitlement reform. Now he thinks he can get out in front of this issue simply by showing up at the last minute to start demagoguing and trashing the "rich?" Yes, he does.
As people review this, I hope they remember that he's had all this time to come up with something and has done nothing. He formed his bipartisan debt commission as a diversion and stall, then shelved and ignored its findings. He'll presumably resurrect them now, because the commission was nominally "bipartisan" even though its lead Republican, Alan Simpson, is out and about trashing conservatives as we speak.
The people should know that Obama's heart is not in debt reduction or entitlement reform -- it cuts against every fiber of his being. His plan will be smoke and mirrors and tax increases.
The problem is, if you look at the numbers, our deficit and debt crisis is not just a result of spending and entitlements. The forgotten component is -- a sluggish economy exacerbated by Obama's policies -- policies that he refuses to reverse because -- again -- his philosophy requires him to continue to expand the public sector and smother the private sector. As long as he insists on policies that thwart growth -- and his planned tax hikes are just such policies -- we won't have a prayer of solving our debt crisis. Too many erroneously assume taxes and revenues are a zero sum game and that we can simply close any revenue gap by upping the taxes.
So here we go. Peter Robinson and I can now put our amicable disagreement about the CR/shutdown strategy behind us, and presumably unite around fighting Obama and his new plan. I repeat that the path to resolving our debt crisis and getting the economy moving is not through compromise because the problem is far too severe for half measures. Obama's measures won't work. Therefore we have to go all out in support of the Ryan plan, however it is ultimately tweaked and improved (I understand Heritage, for example, has some minor suggested tweaks, though very supportive of the plan overall), and vigorously oppose the Obama plan. Folks, I say this not out of partisanship but patriotism -- national survival.
So, it's time to roll our sleeves up and get to work, fully anticipating the most acrimonious class warfare we've yet seen from this group. I pray our side has the fortitude and the wisdom to see this through.
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Dec '10
Re: Here We Go With the Next Round of the Ever-So-Predictable Class Warfare
James Taranto at OpinionJournal notes that "balance" has replaced "fairness" as the buzzword for Obama's plan.
Don’t discount the fact that if the Ryan plan isn’t “balanced,” it’s “unbalanced” – which means not only mismatched between revenue and spending or mismatched between taxes and spending cuts, but also connotes “unstable” and even “insane.”
This works better for the Dems: whereas a lack of “fairness” would make the Ryan plan “unfair,” Americans are acculturated to understand that life is unfair. But nobody thinks that “unbalanced” can be construed as a good thing.
Jul '10
Re: Here We Go With the Next Round of the Ever-So-Predictable Class Warfare
It's just agitation for the base. The House Republicans know for a certainty that they are doomed if they agree to tax increases.
However, I wouldn't put it past Boehner to cave in on "tax simplifications" which result in "revenue enhancements".
Jul '10
Re: Here We Go With the Next Round of the Ever-So-Predictable Class Warfare
Tax reform, in the form of simplification combined with lower base rates, is a feature of Ryan's plan already. I am sure Kenneth is right and another Obama tax hike or three will be included in the details of his plan, if any are ever released. But he won't be able to field a credible plan because he will not let go of ObamaCare.
May '10
Re: Here We Go With the Next Round of the Ever-So-Predictable Class Warfare
"I pray our side has the fortitude and the wisdom to see this through."
Do you think they actually do? What evidence of that is there that this time is different. They just let us down *again* on the CR.
Oct '10
Re: Here We Go With the Next Round of the Ever-So-Predictable Class Warfare
Last week's budget deal isn't over. The total amount actually cut appears to be somewhere between $8 and $14 billion, not $38 billion.
The "balanced" approach to raising taxes was as predictable as the sun rising in the east. We have to show the math that "taxing the rich" won't get you very far in solving the problem.
May '10
Re: Here We Go With the Next Round of the Ever-So-Predictable Class Warfare
Ken Sweeney: Last week's budget deal isn't over. The total amount actually cut appears to be somewhere between $8 and $14 billion, not $38 billion.
The "balanced" approach to raising taxes was as predictable as the sun rising in the east. We have to show the math that "taxing the rich" won't get you very far in solving the problem. · Apr 12 at 12:46pm
This is just wrong. The GOP is not open lying to us. Clearly they hold us in contempt.
Peter, are you happy? No shutdown. On to the real fight, just like you wanted.
Re: Here We Go With the Next Round of the Ever-So-Predictable Class Warfare
I love the sleight-of-hand involved in demonizing the "richest Americans"--artfully defined to include traditional families working multiple jobs or operating a small business to fund undiscounted college tuition and sky-high property taxes--while snuggling up to the actual rich.
This morning I received an email inviting me to help kickoff the President's reelection campaign in San Francisco on April 21st. Let's see, I can attend a 100 person breakfast and enjoy "off-the-record Q&A" for $5,000, or have my photo taken with Mr. Obama before dinner that evening for $10,000. The "small private dinner with the President"? Sorry. That's sold-out already--no doubt because of the bargain-basement price of $38,500.
Jan '11
Re: Here We Go With the Next Round of the Ever-So-Predictable Class Warfare
Stage One: Convince the American public that unless we reform entitlements, they'll all crash anyway. (I'm genuinely surprised. It seems that even the Democrats have conceded this point.)
Stage Two: Cutting spending is not enough. We need to increase revenue. (We all agree to that. It's how we increase revenue that's the battle.)
Stage Three: We cannot increase revenue unless we expand the tax base. Simply demanding more money from the existing tax base won't meet the demand. We need a bigger base. (h/t Chief Brody)
Jul '10
Re: Here We Go With the Next Round of the Ever-So-Predictable Class Warfare
Ken Sweeney: Last week's budget deal isn't over. The total amount actually cut appears to be somewhere between $8 and $14 billion, not $38 billion.
The "balanced" approach to raising taxes was as predictable as the sun rising in the east. We have to show the math that "taxing the rich" won't get you very far in solving the problem.
If you are correct on the amount of the deal, this is, of course, a major defeat for Boehner and the GOP leadership. And yes, the attempt will need to be made to show that the rich pay far more than the rest already and the total numbers there cannot begin to meet the voracious Democrat appetites. The fact that the rich also represent the most mobile tax base should occur to careful observers of tax-happy Maryland, New York, and California demographics.
Jul '10
Re: Here We Go With the Next Round of the Ever-So-Predictable Class Warfare
George, the families you reference - entrepreneurs and professionals - are great envy targets. Low and moderate income taxpayers assume that their bosses and their doctors are benefiting from fabulous tax "breaks" in the form of deductions.
Truth is that many of those deductions phase out as one's adjusted gross income increases. For instance, if your AGI is less than $60,000, you can deduct up to $2,500 in student loan interest. Above that, it phases out until it becomes zero at $150,000 of AGI.
To make things worse, upper-income taxpayers get hit with the Alternative Minimum Tax. My wife and I declare very few deductions. We don't own a home, so we don't avail ourselves of the mortgage interest deduction. But because we live in high-tax localities, our state and local tax deductions trigger the Alternative Minimum Tax,.as though we were plutocrats playing clever tax angles.
Jun '10
Re: Here We Go With the Next Round of the Ever-So-Predictable Class Warfare
If one didn't know better, one might begin to think that Obama and the Dems are deliberately trying to destroy this country. It's a good thing we all know better. And then there is this from Drudge:
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20110412/D9MI4KNG1.html
The article startts out,
WASHINGTON (AP) - The historic $38 billion in budget cuts resulting from at-times hostile bargaining between Congress and the Obama White House were accomplished in large part by pruning money left over from previous years, using accounting sleight of hand and going after programs President Barack Obama had targeted anyway.
I kept telling David, NO, don't compromise with the bastards. Would he listen to me? Not a chance. Next time I recommend that you David, should live and learn.
Re: Here We Go With the Next Round of the Ever-So-Predictable Class Warfare
Kenneth:
However, I wouldn't put it past Boehner to cave in on "tax simplifications" which result in "revenue enhancements". · Apr 12 at 12:30pm
If we could indeed get a major set of simplifications in the tax code, I think I'd be willing to pay slightly more. The whole process gives me such a headache, and I paid a really hefty sum to get someone else to do my taxes this year. Fewer brackets, fewer loopholes, eliminate the AMT, and make the process simple enough for an ordinary person to figure out without too much hassle.
Re: Here We Go With the Next Round of the Ever-So-Predictable Class Warfare
cdor: If one didn't know better, one might begin to think that Obama and the Dems are deliberately trying to destroy this country. It's a good thing we all know better. And then there is this from Drudge:
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20110412/D9MI4KNG1.html
The article startts out,
WASHINGTON (AP) - The historic $38 billion in budget cuts resulting from at-times hostile bargaining between Congress and the Obama White House were accomplished in large part by pruning money left over from previous years, using accounting sleight of hand and going after programs President Barack Obama had targeted anyway.
I kept telling David, NO, don't compromise with the bastards. Would he listen to me? Not a chance. Next time I recommend that you David, should live and learn. · Apr 12 at 1:34pm
Come again? Do you have me confused with Peter?
Re: Here We Go With the Next Round of the Ever-So-Predictable Class Warfare
David Limbaugh
cdor: If one didn't know better, one might begin to think that Obama and the Dems are deliberately trying to destroy this country. It's a good thing we all know better. And then there is this from Drudge:
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20110412/D9MI4KNG1.html
The article startts out,
WASHINGTON (AP) - The historic $38 billion in budget cuts resulting from at-times hostile bargaining between Congress and the Obama White House were accomplished in large part by pruning money left over from previous years, using accounting sleight of hand and going after programs President Barack Obama had targeted anyway.
I kept telling David, NO, don't compromise with the bastards. Would he listen to me? Not a chance. Next time I recommend that you David, should live and learn. · Apr 12 at 1:34pm
Come again? Do you have me confused with Peter? · Apr 12 at 1:48pm
He's either got you confused with Peter or he's being sarcastic...
Re: Here We Go With the Next Round of the Ever-So-Predictable Class Warfare
The FY 2011 budget negotiation was lost when Boehner and the House leadership failed to prepare the political battlefield in the months--months!--leading up to Friday night's drama. The first mistake was reacting to Democratic talking points--chiefly the unacceptability of any government shutdown--rather than forcefully explaining the larger crisis--the inevitable no-growth debt- and inflation-ridden future in the absence of dramatic action.
Seemingly every opportunity to tap the sentiment that fueled Republican victory in November was missed. When pressed on the shutdown, Boehner could have outlined the broader crisis by stressing the unprecedented, unsustainable Obama spending spree, the failure to pass a budget last year, the anti-democratic pre-funding of Obamacare. Instead, he spent much of his time setting the stage for failure with his "one-half of one-third of the government" riff.
Many claim that this last negotiation was over small beer. But consider the signal that was just sent: How can Boehner and the House leadership expect to win the larger, more consequential battles immediately before us after this performance?
Edited on Apr 12, 2011 at 2:15pmJul '10
Re: Here We Go With the Next Round of the Ever-So-Predictable Class Warfare
Diane Ellis, Ed.
Kenneth:
However, I wouldn't put it past Boehner to cave in on "tax simplifications" which result in "revenue enhancements". · Apr 12 at 12:30pm
If we could indeed get a major set of simplifications in the tax code, I think I'd be willing to pay slightly more. The whole process gives me such a headache, and I paid a really hefty sum to get someone else to do my taxes this year. Fewer brackets, fewer loopholes, eliminate the AMT, and make the process simple enough for an ordinary person to figure out without too much hassle. · Apr 12 at 1:42pm
I'm all for a zero-deductions, zero-credits flat tax, on a postcard return form.
Oct '10
Re: Here We Go With the Next Round of the Ever-So-Predictable Class Warfare
The Democrats are bluffing. I am for repealing the Bush tax cuts in exchange for passing Paul Ryan’s entire budget plan in a grand bargain. The Democrats still wouldn’t vote for it. They don’t want reform, they want control.
May '10
Re: Here We Go With the Next Round of the Ever-So-Predictable Class Warfare
The lies of the CR agreement have me thinking we are doomed. The GOP cannot even shoot straight over a few billion.
Edited on Apr 12, 2011 at 2:42pmJul '10
Re: Here We Go With the Next Round of the Ever-So-Predictable Class Warfare
David Limbaugh
cdor: If one didn't know better, one might begin to think that Obama and the Dems are deliberately trying to destroy this country. It's a good thing we all know better. And then there is this from Drudge:
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20110412/D9MI4KNG1.html
The article startts out,
WASHINGTON (AP) - The historic $38 billion in budget cuts resulting from at-times hostile bargaining between Congress and the Obama White House were accomplished in large part by pruning money left over from previous years, using accounting sleight of hand and going after programs President Barack Obama had targeted anyway.
I kept telling David, NO, don't compromise with the bastards. Would he listen to me? Not a chance. Next time I recommend that you David, should live and learn. · Apr 12 at 1:34pm
Come again? Do you have me confused with Peter? · Apr 12 at 1:48pm
I suspect he is placing himself on the far side of you from Peter, perhaps among the crowd that feels the only successful federal shutdown is a never ending federal shutdown. The "this ain't no bargaining position, suckers, this is the end!" crowd.
Jun '10
Re: Here We Go With the Next Round of the Ever-So-Predictable Class Warfare
My all-time favorite Krugman moment. During a healthcare debate he makes the mistake of asking the Canadians in the room how they like their healthcare system.
Check it out at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EPd2i4Jshs
It's only 34 seconds long.