Internal Dem Rift: No Vote on Tax Cut Extensions Until After November Elections

Sometimes you wonder if they're shooting themselves in the foot on purpose.

Liberal lawmakers in both chambers had pressed their leaders to schedule a vote on legislation that would make permanent the tax cuts for families earning below $250,000 but allow the rates for families above that threshold to rise. Families in the top brackets would see their income tax rates rise from 33 and 35 percent to 36 and 39.6 percent, respectively.

Centrists and Democrats facing tough reelections, however, balked at voting for any tax increases. Republicans have argued for an extension of all of the current tax rates, which became law during the Bush administration.

They're driving another nail in their election day coffin. It must feel awesome to be able to come up with one more super neato idea to move voters away from their struggling candidates. They seem uninterested in doing anything to make Americans think they're serious about promoting economic growth and jobs.

Except pollsters. They're gonna be busy again for a while.

"We'd really like to help struggling families, energize businesses and improve their growth outlook by preserving tax rates at present levels. That said, we're gonna blow it off and ride this wave of popularity into Nov. 2."

posted by Dave In Texas at 09:07 PM

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