The first thing discussed by Congress after its return from a five-week vacation Monday was the Bush tax cuts. No one expects Congress to get much done before lawmakers drop every little thing in about four weeks to campaign for the mid-term election. Democrats propose repealing the Bush tax cuts for all however those making $250,000 a year or more. Republicans have said they will not vote for anything but making the Bush tax cuts permanent for every person. At first glance, one would assume it is a typical Congressional stalemate. This is just at first. However, House Minority Leader John Boehner added intrigue to the debate Sunday when he said he would vote for ending the tax cuts for the rich if that was his only choice for a tax break.
The surprise Boehner made about Bush tax cuts
The Bush tax cuts applying to all taxpayers enacted in 2001 and 2003 expire at the end of the year. Everyone but the wealthiest will get to continue with the Bush tax cuts if the Obama administration has its way. The economy is so weak that it can’t afford a tax increase. Of course, CNN reports, Republicans and a few Democrats oppose the idea. Republicans have threatened a filibuster unless the tax cuts are extended to all–which would basically allow them to expire for all. Democrats say that the middle class tax breaks are being used just to get breaks for the rich with the Republicans. Everyone was interested to hear that Boehner was thinking about compromising on the Tax cuts by Bush.
Democrats drifting toward Republican ideas
Everybody was astonished that Boehner dropped the bomb as he did. This is because so numerous Democrats fearful of the mid-term elections were already thinking about switching their vote for making Tax cuts by Bush last while the economy gets better. A temporary extension of tax cuts for the rich are suggested by at least 6 Democratic senators and Senate candidates, says the Washington Post. There are increasingly more incumbents taking the House positions. There are so many different places with different costs of living that one more recommendation has been raised. This suggests that the $250,000 tax break threshold be $1 million per household.
Boehner isn’t looking for middle class, just power
When Boehner made his remark on the Bush tax cuts issue, Democrats seemed to boast. As outlined by the Christian Science Monitor, Boehner might just be trying to get Speaker of the House if Republicans start to control the government after mid-term elections. According to the Monitor , the speaker could be able to help get bills passed, in contrast to the opposition leader. Boehner is making an intelligent move with the suggesting of a compromise. He could take credit for a new tax break deal that could take place. Passing a new tax break bill might help Republicans show how much better they’re than Democrats. This would help them out a lot as well. Whether or not Boehner has the good of the middle class in mind with his strategy, the Monitor did not say.
Additional reading
CNN
cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/09/12/tax.cuts/index.html?npt=NP1
Washington Post
washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/12/AR2010091204308_2.html?wpisrc=nl_headline and sid=ST2010091204277
Christian Science Monitor
csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/The-Vote/2010/0913/Why-did-John-Boehner-change-his-mind-now-on-Bush-tax-cuts
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