The first thing discussed by Congress following its return from a five-week vacation Monday was the Tax cuts by Bush. No one expects Congress to get much done before lawmakers drop every little thing in about four weeks to campaign for the mid-term election. Democrats suggested the Tax cuts by Bush be repealed unless one is making over $250,000 a year. Republicans have said they will not vote for anything however making the Tax cuts by Bush permanent for everyone. A typical Congressional stalemate is what looks to be occurring. John Boehner made things more interesting as the House Minority Leader saying that if his only choice for a tax break would be voting to end regulations and tax breaks for the rich, then he’d do it.
Boehner surprises with Bush tax cuts
The Bush tax cuts applying to all working class individuals enacted in 2001 and 2003 expire at the end of the year. Every person however the wealthiest will get to continue with the Tax cuts by Bush if the Obama administration has its way. CNN reports that Republicans and some Democrats oppose the plan, calling it a tax increase in a weak economy. Unless tax cuts go to every person, Republicans will create a filibuster allowing them to end entirely. Democrats say the middle class tax breaks are getting used just to get breaks for the rich with the Republicans. Then Boehner’s suggestion that he might compromise on the Bush tax cuts amazed everyone.
Democrats beginning to follow Republicans
Many Democrats who are worried about where the mid-term elections will put them, have began thinking about switching to extend Bush tax credits an additional couple of years, which is why Boehner dropping his bomb was so surprising. The Washington Post reports that half a dozen Democratic senators and Senate candidates have suggests such a temporary extension of tax cuts for the rich. In the House, the number of incumbents taking that position is growing. One more idea being suggested is raising tax cut thresholds to $1 million per household in case that person lives somewhere more expensive in the country.
Power, not middle class, is what Boehner looks for
When Boehner made his comment on the Bush tax cuts issue, Democrats seemed to boast. There is a possibility that the Republicans will start to control the house after mid-term elections. This is why Christian Science Monitor suggests that Boehner might be just trying to get the position as Speaker of the House. As outlined by the Monitor , the speaker can be able to help get bills passed, as opposed to the opposition leader. Boehner may be trying to make a tax cut deal that he could take credit for by suggesting a bargain. Passing a new tax cut bill might help Republicans show how much better they are than Democrats. This would help them out a lot as well. The Monitor didn’t say whether or not Boehner cares about the middle class.
Additional reading
CNN
cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/09/12/tax.cuts/index.html?npt=NP1
Washington Post
washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/12/AR2010091204308_2.html?wpisrc=nl_headline and sid=ST2010091204277
Christian Science Monitor
csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/The-Vote/2010/0913/Why-did-John-Boehner-change-his-mind-now-on-Bush-tax-cuts
