[dan on the right]

First of all, DeMint is a minority party Senator. Senate has not part in this dance. He can say what he wants, he has no responsibility here.

I thought Boehner’s plan was realistic, as much as I hated it.

Listen, we're going over the cliff. We have to be as reasonable as possible to avoid some of the blame (doubt if it will work, but we have to put best deal out there). While I like the doomsday option, I would do it differently.

I would simply allow a vote to extend all tax cuts and laws permanently, but raise marginal tax rates on the 2% to, say, 38%, but change nothing else in the law. Estate taxes, AMT, deductions, etc. would all remain the same. Minimal pain on minimal amount of people.

Our Reps can vote “present” if they want, but send it to Senate. Let them pass it or ignore it - might help the blame game.

[GeronL]

realistic?

immediate tax hikes and no spending cuts? because if they aren’t immediate, they ain’t onna happen

[taxcontrol]

I would alter the AMT to that regardless of deductions, credits, or any other tax terminology, everyone has to pay a minimum of 10% in taxes.