Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Obama showcases real-world cost of letting payroll tax cut expire [but it's not about politics!]
Los Angeles Times ^ | 22 December 2011 | Peter Nicholas

Posted on 12/22/2011 12:45:34 PM PST by COBOL2Java

With most lawmakers gone for the holidays, President Obama took full advantage of the empty stage, appearing with everyday Americans to make the case that House Republicans need to relent and pass a payroll tax cut extension that would mean an extra $1,000 a year to a typical family.

Obama struck a note of disgust Thursday with the paralysis in the Capitol, making the point that only a small minority of House Republicans is blocking a tax cut extension that would help struggling families heat their homes, fuel their cars and pay for essential groceries.

All week, the White House has been inviting people to submit stories about the hardships they would endure without the extra $40 in their paychecks if the payroll tax cut expires at year's end.

Some of the people who wrote in stood behind him -- a reminder that the brinksmanship in Washington has real-world costs for average Americans.

"What's happening right now is exactly why people just get so frustrated with Washington," Obama said. "This is it; this is exactly why people get so frustrated with Washington. This isn't a typical Democratic-versus-Republican issue. This is an issue where an overwhelming number of people in both parties agree. How can we not get that done? I mean, has this place become so dysfunctional that even when people agree to things we can't do it? It doesn't make any sense.

"So, enough is enough. The people standing with me today can't afford any more games. They can't afford to lose $1,000 because of some ridiculous Washington standoff."

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


TOPICS: Front Page News; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: obama
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-39 last
To: COBOL2Java
"appearing with everyday Americans to make the case that House Republicans need to relent and pass a payroll tax cut extension that would mean an extra $1,000 a year to a typical family." <--- isn't this a bold face lie? No one is saving 1000.00 if this is only for 2 months.
21 posted on 12/22/2011 1:14:18 PM PST by TV Dinners (Hope is not a Strategy)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: TheCornerOffice
Keynesian economics which allows you to keep an extra $40 out of each paycheck is a much easier sale than Keynesian economics which goes into the coffers of some big government aligned union.

The GOP should be taking the bait. They should take the two months now and go back to get the rest in January.

ObaMao's amen chorus in the media is playing this to make the GOP look bad. That's all.

22 posted on 12/22/2011 1:15:24 PM PST by Vigilanteman (Obama: Fake black man. Fake Messiah. Fake American. How many fakes can you fit in one Zer0?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: massgopguy
Did these people walk to DC or did Obama have us pay to fly them there? Or was it a very short walk from their offices in the OEOB to the stage?

The latter. It was reported this afternoon that they're all DC DemocRAT workers. Axelrod stagecraft...

23 posted on 12/22/2011 1:15:39 PM PST by COBOL2Java (Obama is the least qualified guy in whatever room he walks into.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: COBOL2Java

Meanwhile, its a minority of two - Harry Reid and Obama - refusing to reconvene the Senate to work out a compromise with the House of Representatives.


24 posted on 12/22/2011 1:22:05 PM PST by Wuli
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: COBOL2Java

Second point: The “gain” from the tax holiday - not a tax-cut - of every dollar for everyone who pays the “payroll tax” is a loss to the Social Security administration, it’s “trust fund” and the revenue it depends on for current and future Social Security benefits.

Every cent of this tax holiday will have to be paid back to the Social Security administration directly, from general revenues, or general revenues themselves will become a permanent part of funding Social Security, turning it into a welfare program and not a retirement system.

From the start, the GOP should have never allowed this understanding to be left out of ALL their public statements on this issue.

Its a “tax holiday” not a “tax cut” and its taking money that needs to be paid to Social Security.


25 posted on 12/22/2011 1:31:23 PM PST by Wuli
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: COBOL2Java

Obama, and the “payroll tax cut” might provoke the end of Social Security as it is today:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2823931/posts


26 posted on 12/22/2011 1:37:33 PM PST by Wuli
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: COBOL2Java

Of course it’s a fraud. If $40 is a life and death amount you don’t have the money to jump on a flight to DC.


27 posted on 12/22/2011 1:53:33 PM PST by massgopguy (I owe everything to George Bailey)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]

To: COBOL2Java

Of course it’s a fraud. If $40 is a life and death amount you don’t have the money to jump on a flight to DC.


28 posted on 12/22/2011 1:53:45 PM PST by massgopguy (I owe everything to George Bailey)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]

To: COBOL2Java

Could someone run the numbers on what the Obama administration’s energy policies are costing the average American family? I’ll warrant it’s a fair bit more than $1000/year.


29 posted on 12/22/2011 2:13:13 PM PST by The_Reader_David (And when they behead your own people in the wars which are to come, then you will know. . .)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Brownie63
It’s becoming increasingly clear. Obama is nothing more than a hatemonger.

It is becoming increasingly clear that the GOP is impotent. We are soooooo screwed.

30 posted on 12/22/2011 2:33:44 PM PST by April Lexington (Study the Constitution so you know what they are taking away!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: COBOL2Java
This "tax cut" is just bankrupting the social security system. Plan on massive treasury bond sales to plug the gap. Inflation? No. Currency collapse? Yes.
31 posted on 12/22/2011 2:35:42 PM PST by April Lexington (Study the Constitution so you know what they are taking away!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ZirconEncrustedTweezers

Where the hell did the $1000 come from? It is a payroll tax cut of $20/week for two months IF and only IF one makes $50000 a year. Total of approx $160 that is it!!!

WSJ and Rove both carrying water for Obama on this.

Of course we will all be told that Keystone is now a done deal..what a joke...the EPA will drag it out for years or until every job that is created by Keystone is a UNION job.


32 posted on 12/22/2011 3:18:58 PM PST by Fred (On Newt Gingrich - He is a sociopath, but he is our sociopath)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

Comment #33 Removed by Moderator

To: Supreme One

You signed up on Free Republic today to come and ask for someone else’s money?

Take that trick on down to the welfare office.

They are looking for just your type.


34 posted on 12/22/2011 6:57:31 PM PST by Fightin Whitey
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 33 | View Replies]

To: Fred
the EPA will drag it out for years

This Zero Admin is relentless on their attack of our Capitalistic system. Destruction and TRANSFORMATION into dependence on the Fed Govt is the plan and by the looks of activities I would say Zero is on plan.

New EPA standard leads to choices
35 posted on 12/22/2011 8:18:19 PM PST by Cheerio (Barry Hussein Soetoro-0bama=The Complete Destruction of American Capitalism)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]

To: COBOL2Java

...”Some of the people who wrote in stood behind him”....

I am flabbergasted (now, there’s a word that dates me.....) that any thinking American would stoop so low, and have so little self-esteem, that he or she would appear at this propaganda exercise with Obama. I cannot imagine it! These people are willing to let this usurper fraud use them, for political purposes, like $40 dollar whores. And the sob stories! I am astounded.....


36 posted on 12/23/2011 7:06:54 AM PST by astounded (RIP USA - Born July 4, 1776 - Death by Suicide November 4, 2008)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: EagleUSA

...”That also means he would lick Obama’s shoes if told to.”...

Actually, he would Lewinski Obama, if you get my drift....


37 posted on 12/23/2011 7:10:47 AM PST by astounded (RIP USA - Born July 4, 1776 - Death by Suicide November 4, 2008)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: Supreme One

No, I’ll keep it. I’m just saying I could find a way to get by without it if I had to.


38 posted on 12/23/2011 8:08:51 AM PST by ZirconEncrustedTweezers (There are two kinds of people: those who divide people into two kinds and those who don't.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 33 | View Replies]

To: GeronL

You would need to earn fifty thousand a year for a two percent cut to reduce your tax by one thousand a year.


39 posted on 12/24/2011 6:24:48 AM PST by RipSawyer (This does not end well!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-39 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson