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Republicans back payroll tax cut extension
Reuters ^ | 2011-11-29 | Richard Cowan

Posted on 11/29/2011 4:54:09 PM PST by rabscuttle385

WASHINGTON, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Republicans in the U.S. Congress on Tuesday threw their support behind a payroll tax cut extension, trying to blunt charges ahead of 2012 elections of favoring wealthy Americans over middle-class workers.

Until Tuesday, Republicans had been lukewarm on extending President Barack Obama's payroll tax cut for workers, indicating they were open to negotiating it but never explicitly backing a measure, which the White House says will boost the country's sputtering economic recovery.

(snip)

"In all likelihood we will agree to continue the current payroll tax relief for another year," Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said after a closed-door meeting of his colleagues.

McConnell said there was now "a majority sentiment" among Republicans for continuing the temporary tax cut.

(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: 112th; 2012elections; bho44; biggovernment; congress; gop; mcconnell; medicare; obama; socialsecurity; taxes
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To: WilliamIII

You haven’t made an argument for changing the benefits paid by SS (spending) just cutting the program’s tax revenue. If you want one you should at least advocate for the other.


41 posted on 11/30/2011 5:38:52 AM PST by csmusaret (The only borders Obama has closed is a bookstore.)
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To: csmusaret

I am not counting the borrowing as spending. I am just counting cash flow: benefits paid versus payroll taxes received. To assert that SS does not have a cash flow deficit, you are counting phony interest payments as in flow.


42 posted on 11/30/2011 6:25:49 AM PST by businessprofessor
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To: businessprofessor

Benefits paid versus payroll taxes received over the life of the program result in a surplus. That surplus will soon turn into a deficit, but as for now Social Security has not added one dollar to our National debt.


43 posted on 11/30/2011 7:05:43 AM PST by csmusaret (The only borders Obama has closed is a bookstore.)
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To: csmusaret

You are spreading misinformation. The life of the program does not matter. The dollars have already been spent. The life of the program would matter if SS had assets. It does not have assets. The cash flow is now negative about $150 billion. SS is just one of many runaway entitlements.

You have a moral claim to benefits. So what. A moral claim does not mean that the benefits can be paid. The government is broke including SS benefits.


44 posted on 11/30/2011 7:15:04 AM PST by businessprofessor
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To: businessprofessor

You have a moral claim to benefits. So what. A moral claim does not mean that the benefits can be paid. The government is broke including SS benefits.

I agree with that statement, but Social Security has not yet added one dollar to our National debt.


45 posted on 11/30/2011 7:22:19 AM PST by csmusaret (The only borders Obama has closed is a bookstore.)
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To: csmusaret

Yes it has. This year, SS has a cash flow deficit. I believe there was a cash flow deficit in 2009 and 2010 also. SS is now adding to the debt and annual deficit. Government accounting is so phony that I am not sure the status of any program matters. The cumulative impact of uncontrolled government spending will come crashing down when the dollar is devalued. SS and many other programs will be impacted. There will be blood in the streets.


46 posted on 11/30/2011 8:24:12 AM PST by businessprofessor
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To: businessprofessor

Once again I agree with half of your statement. Have a good day.


47 posted on 11/30/2011 9:56:54 AM PST by csmusaret (The only borders Obama has closed is a bookstore.)
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