...and the New York Times says, Bush Tax-Cut Deal With Jobless Aid Said to Be Near

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/06/us/politics/06cong.html?_r=1&hp


Published: December 5, 2010

Rather than extending the tax rates only on income described by Democrats as middle class — up to $250,000 a year for couples and $200,000 for individuals — the deal would also keep the rates for higher earners, probably for two years. In return, Republicans said they would probably agree to extend jobless aid for the long-term unemployed.

:eyes:

In meetings with administration officials after the Senate votes, the House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, and many other House and Senate Democrats voiced deep unhappiness at the prospect of extending all the tax cuts and also expressed their belief that the White House did not appear to be getting enough for such a big concession, officials said.

Many Republicans say they want a permanent extension of the rates, or as long an extension as possible. Democrats say they would not mind the issue coming up during Mr. Obama’s re-election bid, because they see it as politically helpful to them in painting Republicans as defenders of the rich. The debate, of course, could cut the other way, with Republicans again portraying Democrats as seeking to raise taxes.

Some Congressional Democrats have suggested a willingness to let the tax rates expire for everyone at the end of the year, and to press the fight into next year. At the same time, some prominent economists have counseled that it would be wise not to substantially raise taxes or cut spending at the moment given the risk of further hindering an already precarious economic recovery.

:eyes:

After the failed votes in the Senate on Saturday, top Democratic Congressional leaders met at the White House with Mr. Obama, who told them he would not agree to any deal unless it included the extension of jobless aid, which has begun to run out, and also the extension of a number of tax breaks for middle- and lower-income Americans that were included in last year’s economic stimulus plan.

but federal clerks get a pay cut to save a lousy $2 billion.

but the "probably agree" is killing me.

The Democrats spend and the Republicans spend and cut taxes.

Fiscal insanity rules.

Tax Cut Lies: The Day The News Died
by Thom Hartmann
http://www.commondreams.org/view/2010/12/05-0

be able to stop this by fillabuster? Wouldn't Sanders and Feingold as true progressives stand up and stop this bill like the repubs??