I was reacting to Michael's premature condemnation of liberal groups for their expected acceptance of SS & Medicare cuts. Most will not accept SS cuts, and anything that looks like a cut in Medicare benefits will get a negative reaction as well. The extent of their power is a different matter. They don't have much.
I think people discount the likelihood that the WH will stand on the 39.6 top rate restoration (on 'ordinary' income). I also think there is a good chance of increased rates on capital gains, estates & gifts, and dividends. Note in one sense this has been a fight between the deficit reducers and the tax rate reducers, and the former won. On Thu, Nov 15, 2012 at 3:06 PM, Jim Devine <[email protected]> wrote: > michael perelman wrote: > >> >> I think I know what the grand bargain will be. Obama will be a hero > >> >> to the left by marginally increasing taxes on the people who earn > more > >> >> than $250,000. Then you will cave on Social Security and Medicare > >> >> while bragging about his dedication to progressive causes. Also, in > >> >> the name of reforming taxes, he will close the loophole on tax breaks > >> >> that the middle class relies on by, for instance current collecting > >> >> taxes on medical insurance provided by employers. > > Max Sawicky wrote: > >> > Bullhocky. If he does that virtually every leftish group will cry > foul. > >> > Will > >> > not happen. > > me: > >> what power do these groups have when the DP and the GOP unite to > >> promote a program? > > Max Sawicky wrote: > > Power is a different question. They don't have much. > > Power is crucial in politics. One reason for these groups' lack of > power is that the DP's leadership knows that they will support the DP > as long at it's seen as the lesser of two evils.They're not like > "swing voters" to be courted. > -- > Jim Devine / "Segui il tuo corso, e lascia dir le genti." (Go your > own way and let people talk.) -- Karl, paraphrasing Dante. > _______________________________________________ > pen-l mailing list > [email protected] > https://lists.csuchico.edu/mailman/listinfo/pen-l >
_______________________________________________ pen-l mailing list [email protected] https://lists.csuchico.edu/mailman/listinfo/pen-l
