Tax cuts for all, while we continue to spend.... No changes here for 2011

Nobody is talking about balancing the budget.... nobody is talking about the deficit. There are no discussions about how to get any of the 5.4 million manufacturing jobs that we lost from 1999 to 2009 back in country. The Dems and Pubs continue to play the same old worn out political games that got us to where we are..... Why would I think next year has even a chance of being any better than 2010?

What part do these "bought and paid off crooks" in Washington not understand?

America is a nation in decline and some difficult decisions need to be made to turn this nation in a positive direction.

Throwing a "bone" or a "band-aid" at the American People and in so doing adding to the Federal Deficit, does not address the core issues of what is wrong in America.

Politicians are attempting to delay the inevitable crash that will happen if the core issues of what is wrong in America are not addressed!

Contol Spending, Cut Government, Balance the Budget, Get under control: the Military Industrial Complex, Government Union Retirement Programs, Government Entitlement Programs, Banking!

Address our education system, retrain American Workers, protect America.

Stop robbing the future for immediate gratification! We do have a obligation to our children and their children.

Next year will be the same old, and more pork will be slipped into these bills which is a known habit by these crooked politicians. I am so fed up with all this pork crap.! were's the pitch fork? Its seems that none of these elected officials comprehend this, especially Harry Reid.! I blame you voters for voting these same old garbage crooks into office, thats why this country will never change for the better. Why don't you American's change your voting habits for starters. Theres the "CHANGE".

MtMike - you said it all. I'd reverse some of the priorities though. We need to first protect our borders. Stop the tidal wave of illegals from entering in and then robbing our treasury through entitlements that aren't deserved. The next thing on the list, a very fast second, would be to cut spending and lower entitlements across the board. Reduce our military presence in foreign stable countries like Germany, England, Guam and many more. Reduce entitlement programs by requiring welfare recipiants to clean gutters, work in hospitals, schools, government office buildings to pick up the slack... if they get government money, they work for it. You'd see a whole lot less entitlement if the recipiants knew they had to do something to earn it. If they refuse to work, they don't eat. Very simple and basic.

There are thousands if not millions of cost reducing things that can be done. The problem is, nobody in congress wants to do them in fear of losing their jobs. I say if they don't do it, they lose their jobs.

I am not holding my breath.

I have no faith in anything the "Government" or "Corporations" tell the American Public anymore.

Hopefully, some WikiLeaks will come out regarding the Economy.

Why should you have faith in WikiLeaks either? They have their own agenda, not all of which is in regards to revealing government coverups or lies.

I would also add Unions, special interest groups and lobbyists to that list of things you have no faith in. Anytime you have a group of people with some level of money and/or power behind them, they will inevitably have an agenda.

They are also not necessarily altruistic.

Mt Mike

I really had to reread your post. I usually don't agree with your arguements but I do this time. Youa re right there is a lot to cut. My only issue is that increasing taxes as of Jan 1 would not have done anything to help. From people I talked to, they have been worried about what would happen on Jan 1 and where holding back. And these are people who invest in business here in the US. I'm not saying taxes shouldn't be raised at some level at some time, but now, no. And I think the level should be higher than $250,000. I also have issues with Estate taxes that you might not agree with but that's another discussion.

Living on a credit card from Communist China is a dangerous thing to do.. How long can this madness go on before the bubble blows sky high????

We just might not make it till 2012....... given the current circumstances.

Your newly elected congress does not start work until January and you did not take over the country just a few seats in congress. Most americans wanted this bill and that is progressives and conservatives with the extreme of both of those groups whining about it. I am tired of running this country for the extremes and by the extremes. Please let good common sense take over our debates, this one side is evil and the other is not, has become ridiculous. If someone attacked us again we would all be shoulder to shoulder ready to fight them together; we showed that on 911 and that moment is the real America; I know exist.

Bill, America has lost it's soul.

Debating just makes you feel good, like voting for either Coke or Pepsi every four years and thinking that your patriotic duty to make a statement has been counted. Talk is cheap.

And I'm sure that there are those that say the same thing about Mitch M. and John B. when they look at them...... Is that really any help?

I think its obvious that they all look like that. Both parties represent the same thing: Corporate greed and government incompetence. They continue a sham of bickering while reaping millions for themselves and their lobbyists.

Don't you pay any attention to what you read? It was the Rethughs that demanded the tax extensions and held the country hostage until they got what they wanted. Obama "caved " in to the Repubs. to keep the benefits going to the unemployed that had their benefits expire. Pay attention to what you read and maybe you won't make another stupid statment like this again.

In that respect most of the Republicans are terrorists and should be imprisoned/executed as such. You've gotta' love a party which acts like a bunch of 5 year olds sitting at a school lunch table saying NO to everything.

"NO! I won't extend unemployment benefits or help 9/11 Responders until you give me a million-bazillion lolly pops!"

Yep... but the first thing the Dems did to the Tax/UI bill when they got a chance... added crap for ethanol, and Nascar....

Can everybody take the blinders off and be Americans first..... please?

You're going to have to have a bit more substance to that - no one agrees on anything these days because any good idea is shot down by any opposition.

Chuck Grassley (R) Iowa is the one who pushed the ethanol provision through. Not sure who wanted the NASCAR provision. At least try to be an informed American.

"I think Congressmen should wear uniforms like NASCAR drivers so we can identify their corporate sponsors."

skeeter,

LOL! Come to think of it I like that idea.

What would have happened if the extensions had expired ? Taxes would have gone up, right ? So, yes it is a tax cut. And you can hear the rich laughing all the way from Wall Street.

I agree... it's still a tax cut as far as I'm concerned.... it's just that the "cut" occurred 8 years ago and will still be around. Taxes were reduced... to me that is a "cut", whether it happened just now, or 8 years ago. I'm sure all the rich folks are busy scouring the 2011 Rolls Royce catalogs at this very moment...

The bottom line is that it is tax revenue that need to to go pay down the National debt of $14 Trillion dollars. You don't hear anybody talking about addressing the national debt or about balancing the budget do you.

BTW.... Tax cuts dont create jobs. We lost 5.4million manufacturing jobs between 1999 and 2009 with the Bush tax cuts in place..... how does that happen?

http://www.businessweek.com/the_thread/economicsunbound/archives/2009/06/a_lost_decade_f.html

I get so sick of the libs complaining that the rich are getting a tax cut. Everyones tax rates were extended. If the Bush tax cuts had ended, most Americans' rates would have gone up. The top earners already pay 80% of the taxes in this country and most of the people whining do not pay any taxes. You libs will not be happy until we are a complete socialistic system with only the few in charge having anything more than the next guy. The rich people in this country are the ones that employ your sorry asses.

Dave Dont look now but we already have a few in charge. The top 2 percent control over 50 percent of the wealth and 100 percent of the Dems and Reps. The company I work for in NYC is owned by a Dutch family so the rich never did anything for me.

The wealthy have had these tax cuts for some time now...so where the hell are the jobs???? who's sorry ass is employed???? people overseas!

They will complain about everything until they control the Senate and the Presidency. Until then, the republicans will fight complain about how they are oppressed while holding a gun to the head of the democrats.

Many Democrats have voted with the Republicans. Quit making the Republicans out to be the bad guys.

Sure, just let me know when they stop playing the role of the bad guys and I will stop comparing them to bad guys.

We'll let you know as soon as BOTH parties stop playing that role.

It is childish name calling and finger pointing that is one of the major parts of the problem. Idealogues on both sides of the political fence would much rather play the blame game than actually sit down together and try to come up with some ideas that are based on logical, practical thinking.

Nothing ever changes.

I think that they need to be locked in a room together. have food brought in, bring in cots for sleeping. but they cannot leave until they get together and fix there diferences and find a way to work together..and if they want to leave fine. you loose your job and we will put someone else in the room who will do your job.

I also think that they need to arrest all the lobbyists and charge them for bribing a public official.

Hahaha... you're a moron. Do you realize that one of the largest recessions happened during the Regan administration? That the so called prosperity was great as long as you worked in the defense industry? And that Regan pushed us closer to World War 3 than nearly any other president?

Please read a history book before letting more stupid spill out of your mouth.

In addition, Reagan raised taxes after he found that the deficit was getting out of hand.

Um, it's the economy, stupid.

How quickly we forget.

I agree. Vote them all out until they do what we want. Don't go to the banks that are trying to rip everyone off, don't buy goods made overseas, try to find a way to spend less on gas and any other item that is connected to these clowns. SPEAK WITH YOUR WALLET PEOPLE!

Haha, yeah right... just like how the republicans were endangered in 2008? Please, this is just part of the back and forth that will continue until people get tired of both parties.

The problem is that 51% of American's think that they are the right choice to lead this country.

And they are correct. They are the right choice... if your choices are an economic depression and a continuing downward spiral into hell full of war and bigotry.

Oh spare us all the bs. You idealogues are such hypocrites.

Both parties have had their share of economic depression, war and bigotry.

So don't waste our time with trying to say one side or the other has any right to claim the "moral high ground." Both sides are full of idealogues who think that they are right and the other side is wrong, without bothering to admit that their own side is just as corrupt, negligent and contemptible. Both sides are hypocrites and BOTH SIDES are an embarrassment.

If you can't have the intellectual honesty to admit that, then you're nothing but part of the problem.

Grow up.

Thanks for the intelligent contribution! Let me know when you actually say something with substance though. Oh, and please point out where we said that democrats are any better. But nice try at trying to paint yourself as the better person while engaging in the same bull@!$%# you cry out against.

At least I don't waste my time with childish name calling and insults. Unfortunately, you can't say the same. I would say my comment has far more substance than yours, for the simple fact that I would like people to grow up and act like adults, instead of a bunch of children throwing temper tantrums.

As for saying the Democrats are any better, the poster above you certainly seemed to imply that. You did as well, simply by only referring to the bad things the Republicans have done. If you're actually intellectually honest, you would point out that both sides are guilty of all the bad things you say they are.

However, you don't appear to be intellectually honest since your reply was nothing but an attempted insult and contained nothing of any intelligence. Just like the majority of the rest of your posts, which were mostly made up of insults and smart a$$ed remarks.

Grow up and learn some manners.

Idaho: Sorry, but you are the one throwing out the insults. And in this case of tax extensions, the Republicans HAVE held all other matters, and therefore the citizens of this country in fact, hostage. What else would you call it? And it is shameful that the entire country and basic social programs must make up for the fewer tax dollars brought in because of the tax extensions.

And by the way, I thought Eisenhower was one of the best Presidents. Take a peek at what the tax rate was then. Come on, who's doing the whining here?

Collectively speaking, I don't believe anyone in Washington is acting like an adult. Maybe not a child, more like a middle school bullies. And yes it is shameful behavior.

Don't know how to tell you this, but the Repubs just voted right in step with the Dems for this 1 trillion dollar spending bill.

Call it anything you like but it's spending 1 trillion dollars, period.

Well sung!

they are tax cuts. The rates were to go back to the Clinton tax rates as mandated by law as they were enacted using reconciliation. They were to be temporary, the way the Republicans intended (or at least said that's what they wanted).

No business man with any real business acumen cares who or what party is in office if they want a successful business. When I ran my business if I needed equipment or more employees to keep up with demand I spent what was needed. If I didn't I would not have been able to make my customers happy and they would have gone elsewhere.

Chrysler bond holders would have gotten even less had Chrysler gone bankrupt. The money they received came from T.A.R.P. funds that were created by G.W. Bush and signed into law on Oct. 3, 2008.

vwterry - You're full of crap. If the present tax rates are extended, tax rates stay the same. If present tax rates are not extended, taxes go up. There is no other scenario. Your spinning the truth is comical. You dudes with the left wing lies became dinosaurs on Nov 2.

I put this in a post further into the conversation but it appears it could be helpful to explain my views. As to being full of crap, that's a very mature way to hold a discussion.

The present tax rates were set up as a temporary tax relief change based on an excess or surplus that existed in 2001 and 2003. That surplus no longer exists, due in large part to that relief. So in reality, it is a tax cut but would have been a return to prior rates as was mandated by law and intended by the Republicans when they passed this tax rate through reconciliation.

Another way to look at it is like when cities have "tax free" school shopping weekend. It is announced that for a particular weekend you can buy school supplies and clothes and not be required to pay sales tax. You know going in that it is temporary, so at the end of the weekend taxes are returned. Is that a tax increase or a return to normal?

The only difference is one is for a weekend and the other has been for 9 years.

Some of you people either don't read enuf, or just read what you like and fill in the rest.

Tax cuts for businesses ?? 2 of our extended families businesses, saw *that* tax cut. Also both businesses are now subject to **additional** (new) fees/licenses , which come out to be more than the (pfftt) tax cut was.

America is an awesome country... if you have the cash. If not, then get the hell out or die in a gutter.

That's the lesson that the republicans and democrats teach us.

lazy american liberals who refuse to work annual cost to the taxpayers of America:

Over a trillion dollars a year

Yeah, all those lazy educated technology developing and engineering liberals who work over 50 hours a week to earn money to raise their families. So much lazier than those hard working 30 hour a week conservatives who never graduated from high school.

Don't confuse conservative worker drones who are convinced they pay all the taxes and everyone who disagrees with them must be parasite liberals...

There are several conservatives who work for my business and it is hilarious to listen to them spew their nonsense...I know what they pay in taxes and frankly none of them pay enough in combined taxes to even cover the cost of their own kids schooling and healthcare let alone all of those socialist programs they claim to support with their tax dollars...funny stuff from the not quite as bright bunch