Do You Think Obama Should Try To Force A Senate Vote On Tax Cuts For ONLY The Middle Class?

At first glance, I would have said yes...force the vote. But what President Obama is not good at is game-playing or "one-upsmanship"---it's just not his thing. He really means what he says about being president for ALL Americans and not just the Democrats. My guess is he was coldly furious that he could not prevail upon the Republicans to abandon the idiotic deficit-causing tax cuts for the wealthiest 2%, but "No Drama Obama" prevailed and forged a deal that limits the extension to two years instead of being made permanent (which our nation's budget simply CANNOT AFFORD), gets much of what he wants and, in one case at least, MORE than he had requested with the 13 months' extension of unemployment benefits that the Republicans were dead-set against. He also gets his Earned Income Tax Credit, the 2% reduction in payroll taxes, and a few other concessions as well. Not bad for a compromise. He's keeping his eye on the GOAL and not on politics-as-usual---the goal is to heal this nation's economy and create as many jobs as possible. Raising taxes on the middle-class and not helping the millions of Americans still out of work would STALL the recovery, most experts have said. I don't think he would be even a little bit wise to play games with people's lives.

If the goal is to work together, what would be solved by playing the same old "us against them" that the Republicans keep falling back into? President Obama has been working steadily all along to cut spending (see whitehouse.gov) and get foreign markets more open to receiving the American-made alternative-energy products now being manufactured in at least 40 states (see recovery.gov). He made the best deal for the American people and for continued recovery.

It's just politics. If the Democrats don't pass all the tax cuts, the Republicans get to say that the Democrats raised taxes. If the Democrats agree to pass all the tax cuts, the Republicans get to say that they strong-armed the Democrats into doing it. It's really a win-win for Republicans from a political standpoint. It's just like the high-speed rail issue in California. It's a very expensive and controversial proposal that likely won't turn a profit, but the Democrats are all for it. So, the state is probably going to build a small portion of it in the Central Valley near no major cities even though they could just as easily build it near a major city. Why? Why build a small stretch of high-speed rail in an area where most people don't live or work? Well, because Democrats realize that if the state invests $300 million into this part of the high-speed rail, they'll be more likely to finish the whole thing, whereas if they built it in an area where people actually need it, the state would be more likely to stop there because it's at least serving some purpose.

There are going to be tax increases - don't let the GOP try to BS you. You are going to end up paying more in taxes when the states have to take up the slack, and then have to cut aid to cities and towns - which are in turn going to have to raise taxes.

The Repub tax cuts are nothing more than a shell-game; they're simply offloading the financial burden on lower levels of government.

Just like they offload the burden onto the middle-class every time.

Here's a proposal - make the middle class and wealthy tax cuts separate bills. Observe how hard the GOP fights against the middle class cuts, while fighting the opposite for the wealthy. You'll see the cons' true colors show - real quick.

The Republicans are faking reality big time when they say that people will have more money in their pockets to spend - when the states will be grabbing those savings in the form of tax hikes and huge new user fees.

They're also faking reality when they say that the wealthy will create jobs with a tax cut - businessmen hire only when the business climate is good.

The middle class should be the only group that gets any tax cuts, but given the fact that Obama has already caved in, I don't think his saying anything at this point would matter and you know legislation such as that would fall on the deaf ears of Republicans.

I think Obama has lost too much credibility with both House and Senate liberal Congressman.

I myself, who am a liberal and ALWAYS supported Obama can barely listen to him anymore. I just get angry and realize he was not ready to be President. The Democrats need a President with an iron fist to go challenge the Republicans. Not someone who is too naive and gives in EVERY damn time.

I think he should and that if it raises taxes for all of us it had to happen any way some day. This is the worst time but there is never a good time.

The senate already took several votes on it before Obama made the compromise and every one of them failed. One of the votes they took was to move the cut off level to to $1million.

Yes.

Absolutely, no question about it, we still have a few days left and another one for unemployment. Let the Republicans take the heat in Christmas and be the Grinch

The President of the United States doesn't have the POWER or Authority to force the Senate to vote.

Next time, pay attention in High School Civics class.

SO the President would cut taxes for the weathly and increase the taxes on the poorest in society by 50 % ??

BWAAAA HA HA HA HA HA....

Boy would that voting base of his be pi$$ed off !!