Posted on 12/20/2012 12:59:47 PM PST by Hojczyk
Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-Ohio) said 'I did my part’ in negotiations with President Barack Obama to avert the fiscal cliff by offering a proposal to raise taxes on millionaires.
Just hours before the House plans to vote on the Speaker’s “Plan B,” which will raise the marginal tax rate for people earning $1 million or more per year to 39.6 percent, Boehner said Republicans have done “everything we can” to avoid the fiscal cliff.
The fiscal cliff refers to the expiration of the Bush tax rates and the start of automatic spending cuts (sequestration) on Jan. 2, unless Congress and the White House act. The tax issues also include the child tax deduction; the end of the 10 percent bracket; and the Alternative Minimum Tax.
“President Obama and Senate Democrats haven’t done much of anything,” Boehner said during a Capitol Hill press conference today. “Their Plan B is to slow walk us over the fiscal cliff.”
“For weeks the White House has said that if I moved on rates, that they would make substantial concessions on spending cuts and entitlement reform,” Boehner said.
“I did my part,” he said. “They’ve done nothing.”
“The president’s last offer of $1.3 trillion in new revenue [taxes] with only $850 billion worth of spending reductions fails to meet the test of ‘balanced’ that he continues to call for.”
“Frankly,” Boehner continued, “I’m convinced that the president is unwilling to stand up to his own party on the big issues that face our country. Time is running short.”
“The House will act today and it’ll be up to the Senate Democrats and the White House to act,” he said.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnsnews.com ...
I’d mostly agree. He did what he could. I respect that he’s going to pass the bill — which isn’t great, but is better than it could’ve been — and then wash his hands of it.
Go as far as you’re willing, then take action and leave the ball in their court.
SnakeDoc
Why is this reported as a tax raise on those earning $1mm or more in 2013? Those people are going to be taxed at 39.6% if no bill is passed. And a lot more people will be taxed at that rate too if no bill is passed.
Boehner’s bill is to reduce taxes on everyone except those who earn $1mm or more. If nothing is done everyone’s taxes will be higher.
Yes you did, on behalf of the DC Party.
With this coming vote on Plan B, he is about to send the GOP
over the cliff, as well.
If the vote happens while Levin is on the air tonight, he has
said he will name names of the GOP members (conservatives)
who voted for this meaningless bill.
Well he certainly did... but not for the right thing.
The Senate will do nothing and the President will blame the “Congress” which the media will blame the Republicans in the House.
I’m not convinced that Boehner did anything exept to mimic the Pelosi plan from months ago.
And now even that is not enough for Nobama?
(bleep) this. We are screwed.
Can’t believe I am typing this:
“Good for Boehner.”
The president has consistently said he wants to raise taxes on millionaires and billionaires. Well, here you go.
The press is so pathetic not to call the democrats out for opposing the House bill.
He has certainly been more than accomodating.. damned if he does and damned if he don’t..
There is no victory to be won in this latest horror of governance risking it all to prevail and use it for political gains. If the party agenda is more important than the country, then we are screwed.
I don't think it matters, I think Boehner could give Obama 100% of what he's asked for and Obama would just threaten a veto and move the goalposts. I think Obama WANTS to go over the so called fiscal cliff, because he gets two things democrats have been dreaming of for a decade, massive defense cuts and across the board tax increases when the bush cuts expire (don't believe for a second that Obama really cares about the middle class, revenue is revenue, he just wants Republican's to get the blame). Of course there IS that little provision about the billion in social spending cuts. But Obama knows all he has to do is drag out a parade of children who's school lunches will be cut, and senior citizens paying more for prescriptions and the Republican's will put there tail between their legs and reverse that part.
And now that you’ve done your part, Speaker Boehner, how about embarking on a three month vacation. Check back in at the end of March and see if the Dems ever gave you the $100 billion in spending cuts they promised when you raised the debt ceiling by $2.5 trillion. We were assured at the time that the $2.5 trillion would last through March, so there is really no pressing need at all for you to stay here. Do America a favor - check out for the next three months. It’s what Obama has done for the last four years. Get with the program. Do nothing.
The Republicans are going to lose the public relations battle over this. Boehner and the GOP will be blamed for the failure of the parties to reach a deal because Boehner is trying to be seen “cooperating” with President Obama.
The more time Boehner wastes trying to “cooperate” with President Obama, the worse the public relations outcome will be in 2013.
The House should simply pass a balance budget (one that doesn’t raise taxes) and let the government shut down if necessary until Senator Reid and President Obama surrender.
The GOP has ZERO CREDIBILITY on spending, deficits, and low taxes. Democrats have better approval ratings in all of these areas!
The GOP continues to sandbag genuine conservatives and to foist “candidates who can win the moderates” upon us.
It is high time to SMASH the GOP and send it to the ash heap of history.
This is a good start but Boner needs some drama school. Quick tips:
1) Show distress, and emotion
2) plead with O to stop playing with peoples lives on taxes
3) Talk about how it will hurt ‘the children’
4) Explain how Democrats wont take YES for an answer
5) Splane how they are holding our taxes hostage for a even better deal then they demanded on raising taxes (punishing job creators).
6) Send House members to drama school crash course for their TV appearances play up 1 to 5 above
#7 is the most important:
Tell certain clueless Republicans to STOP CALLING FOR HOUSE REPUBLICANS TO DRIVE US OFF THE CLIFF!
Mega Dittoes on “Good for Boehner”. You (and he) deserve it.
When everyone’s taxes go up, the House GOP can say “Here is our bill that would have prevented it. Where is the Senate bill?” The Senate has made no tangible attempt to prevent the tax increase.
If the nation is as stupid as they were in November, then the GOP may still be blamed by a majority of the voters. However, once the reality of smaller paychecks hit everyone, I think those voters just might get somewhat more focused on the matter.
Face it folks, taxes are going up sooner or later anyway. It’s a big sheiss sandwich and we’re all gonna take a bite.
I think FReepers are gonna be generally pissed off about whatever happens since we hold only ONE card and Boehner won’t play it...the debt ceiling.
I’m ready to go over the cliff. It’s the only way ANYTHING gets cut.
You are correct. There is only one thing in all of this that Obama wants - and that is to raise the debt ceiling. So my for Boehner and the GOP House is to not give it to him. Let him do anything he wants, but DO NOT RAISE THE DEBT CEILING. Call Obama's bluff. If he complains, then remind him that the last increase was supposed to carry him through the end of March. Tell him he has three months to come up with the $100 billion in spending cuts he promised.
Remember the shell game is in the terminology.
“Reduction in spending” cuts nothing. It reduces the amount of increased spending.
Paul Ryan’s budget actually cut nothing, but at least it was a threat to entitlement spending.
What do you mean, he won't play it? Give him a blanking break. He's been trying to get something constructive on spending out of Obama and the Dems (yeah, I know: fat chance) but that's where he'll use the debt ceiling and that's where he'll have leverage.
All things considered, John Boehner has played this about as well as one could ever want. He had a weak hand, but he's found a way to regain some leverage. Vote for Plan B and go home for the holidays.
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