Author Topic: The Economy  (Read 1293 times)

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Offline Anne Bonney

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The Economy
« on: December 07, 2010, 12:48:13 PM »
Since the GOP being scared of teh ghey thread got derailed, I thought I'd start this one for economics in general.

I saw this (below the article in blue) in the Fark comments section regarding this article:

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1210/46054.html

By JONATHAN ALLEN & JOSH GERSTEIN | 12/7/10 4:31 AM EST Updated: 12/7/10 12:06 PM EST

Resentments between President Barack Obama and congressional Democrats that began simmering even before their midterm disaster are nearing the boiling point on Capitol Hill, as liberals make clear that Obama’s efforts to strike a lame-duck deal with Republicans will come at a cost: open and on-the-record taunting about whether the president is a patsy.

"This is the president's Gettysburg," Rep. Jim McDermott, a leading progressive and a subcommittee chairman on the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee, told POLITICO Monday. Referring to Obama’s choice about whether to compromise or stand firm against Republicans on the question of higher taxes for the wealthy, the Washington Democrat said: "He's going to have to decide whether he's going to withstand Pickett's Charge ... I worry."

McDermott’s crabbiness — widespread among many of his fellow Democratic lawmakers — reflects a fear that Obama is being bullied by Republicans and is prepared to sacrifice large principles in exchange for paltry concessions as the two sides search for a bargain on taxes before the end of the year, an extension of unemployment benefits and a nuclear arms treaty.  (See: Obama, Republicans reach deal to extend tax cuts)

The larger reality illuminated by the unhappiness, however, is that the party that Obama two years ago proved particularly adept at unifying now has divided into two factions. (See: Democrats divided on energy bill) (See: Democrats divided on immigration)

There is a presidential wing, led by Obama, that sees it in his and the party’s interests to strike a posture of reasonable accommodation — on the theory that it is both good policy and good politics to be seen as trying to get public business done, even in a season of divided government. (See: Obama: 'The right thing to do')

And there is a congressional wing, led by liberal lawmakers and cheered on by several prominent commentators who believe in confrontation — on theories that Republicans will never bargain in good faith and that demoralized Democratic activists and the general public will both rally around leaders who draw clear lines and are willing to fight to defend them. (See: Pelosi blasts GOP on tax cuts as W.H. negotiates)

With regard to the next two years, McDermott said, "We're going to find out exactly what this president is all about.”

Obama defenders say he is simply responding to political and legal realities: If he does not strike a deal by the new year, rates will automatically rise for all taxpayers, potentially hurting the economy and putting Democrats at risk of being blamed for imposing higher costs on the middle class. (See: Obama needs nerve, perspective)

But taxes are an especially sensitive issue for Obama to ask for maneuvering room from his own party. Democrats didn't much like former President George W. Bush's tax policy in the first place, and they're furious that Obama might put his signature behind a rate freeze for high-end earners.

Even Democratic leaders on the Hill are having a hard time swallowing the idea: When House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) relayed her view of the White House's position on the tax cuts to her fellow leaders on Sunday, it was roundly panned, according to sources familiar with the discussion.

The general sentiment, as described by one participant: "What the [heck]? Could we have a little fight before we cave? Why go right to surrender?"

Outspoken Democrat Anthony Weiner of New York compared it to “punting on 3rd down — it seems the president is not seeing the value of being on [the] offense.”


Rest of the article here: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/12 ... z17RuOy7On





Mr. President,

The United States does not negotiate with terrorists, or at least this has been the public position of the nation for decades. It is a position that has been taken by hostage negotiators for decades prior to that. It is a position that works because when a opposing negotiator takes an extremely hostile position to intimidate you into concession, capitulation to their demands only encourages more an escalation of hostile negotiation in the future.

The Republicans are acting like terrorists by taking millions of unemployed Americans hostage. They cannot pull the metaphorical trigger on their threat against these people because they will lose their bargaining chip. So when the Republicans say, "Do what we want or we will kill unemployment insurance." Tell them that there is nothing left to talk about, make them prove the conviction of their position, make them burn their bridges to re-election by throwing millions of Americans out into the cold and crashing our economy.
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