Harry Reid hints today that the Democrats are willing to extend the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy if the Republicans agree to extend unemployment insurance for the 800,000 out-of-work Americans whose benefits run out at the end of the this month, and the two million who will lose them on Dec. 31.
So, let’s get this straight. The Democrats want to make sure that a chunk of the 16 million unemployed Americans continue to get a check averaging about $300 week for a few more months. In exchange, the Republicans give the wealthiest Americans an average of $100,000 in tax cuts for at least another two more years.
What’s wrong with this math?
Forget that the decisions of the top wage earners the last several years cost millions of Americans their jobs. Or that many in this group profited from the pain and suffering of the past two years, racking up bonuses while their companies sit on $2 trillion in cash instead of hiring new workers. Or that those at the top are squeezing every last drop of blood out of Americans lucky enough to hold on to their jobs.
Why can’t the Democrats destroy the Republicans on this issue instead of putting their tail between their legs and giving in on every front? I mean, you have crazy woman Michelle Bachman going on Good Morning American today, railing against extending unemployment insurance. This should be a gift from Heaven, not the terms of a deal.
Seems to me this is very simple: the Democrats put a bill on the floor that extends the tax cuts for those making under $250,000. They also vote to extend unemployment benefits. They say that 98% of small businesses will keep their tax break, and the tiny bump in taxes for the rich will bring in $700 billion—and they say it over and over again.
Then let the Republicans step on to the floor of the Senate and truly filibuster the bills. Let them tell the American people why they want the give the richest people a giant tax cut, screw the average American, and increase the deficit.
But instead we get Barack Obama and Harry Reid saying there are willing to “compromise.”
I wouldn’t let the Democratic leadership talk to a car salesman for me—even if I had the money to buy a new car.
