You're half right. Special interest groups, such as hedge fund managers, buy off politicians, who then give them special tax treatment. However, it's not the rest of us paying, at least not today. It's our kids who are paying, as these tax expenditures are being financed with debt.
That's why I'm okay with eliminating tax expenditures without immediately lowering tax rates, though, of course, I would take lower tax rates if I could get them.
The trouble is, we'll never get lower tax rates as long as the Dems control the Senate and the White House.
Why not take this deal down, spending cuts and the elimination of some tax expenditures, and then make lower rates a theme of the campaign in 2012?
Don't give anything unless and until they've locked it in - permanent style.
Case in point: 1984 Simpson-Masoli Bill, Reagan signed to "give" 3 million illegals amnesty, with the provision that no more be allowed to jump the border, get jobs, etc.
What we got as 3+ million illegals becoming citizens, bringing casts of more millions family members, congress not enforcing bill to stamp out jobs for illegals.
Nope, no more "giving in order to get!" Not now, not ever!