How liberals are going to raise taxes next year

[Thorgrim]

This is not a firm prediction, because there are variables out of my control (ie not all Democrats are as perfect as me)

As you know, several Senators have posted on Dkos, their staffers are much more active, and in many ways Dkos has a direct line to the hill...so I hear things

If I was forced to put money down, here is how I see things happening:

Next year Bush will need a supplemental for the Occupation in Iraq, this will bill will be written by Democrats at the specifications of the White House's projections, however, there will be a part that will be weaved into the core of the bill: Tax hikes

The bill have language and talking points like this: To pay for the huge amount of money needed to support our troops, "patriot dues" are required of the wealthiest Americans to support our soliders. This will help them with vehicle armor, body armor, the best funding, etc...the dues will be very small, only those making over 150,000 a year will have their income taxes adjusted to help support the troops, also the estate tax for those with over a 2 million non-agricultural estate will be re-imposed to help our boys overseas, and corporate taxes will be adjusted so the business world can better support our troops.

^^ Democrats control both chambers and thus both ends of the legislation, where it will remain untouched, anyone even attempting to raise an objection will be roundly scolded by the Democrats as opposing raising money to help better equip our troops and improve their rehab facilities. The soundbyte will win, and no moderate Republican is going to fall on his sword to protect taxes for the wealthiest americans

Bush will face another problem when it comes to his desk, how can he veto it? It is THE Iraq funding bill to come out of Congress, if he votes no then he'll effectively end the Iraq Occupation by cutting off supplies by refusing to offer any means to pay for the Occupation, if he vetos it the Congress will just pass basically the exact same bill, he'll be forced to sign it


With that, taxes will go up, and the Democrats will have scored a huge victory by getting tax issues out of the way before 2008

When Republicans go "Democrats will raise your taxes!" Dems will simply go "we already adjusted taxes...we're done" and since only the wealthiest Americans are affected, it would not be a strong GOTV issue for anyone except those who were going to vote Republican anyway

Dems will use 2007 and 2008 to pass wedge issue after wedge issue and dare the GOP to filibuster...more research for global warming solutions, efforts to help companies "go green", stem cell research, minimum wage increase, 9/11 commission recommendations

By 2008, the GOP candidates will be left with a very small platform to run on

[6SpeedTA95]

The tax issues wont be out of the way, they raise taxes on those making 150k or more per year and what happens when the bush tax cuts expire? They go up again?

[Thorgrim]

Originally Posted by 6SpeedTA95

The tax issues wont be out of the way, they raise taxes on those making 150k or more per year and what happens when the bush tax cuts expire? They go up again?

All the changes in taxes they make next year will be the tax plans for the presidential candidate who runs in 2008...that will be the new permanent system...the "bush tax cuts" will be reimplemented with the new changes...2007 and 2009 and 2011 will be the exact same

[6SpeedTA95]

Originally Posted by Thorgrim

All the changes in taxes they make next year will be the tax plans for the presidential candidate who runs in 2008...that will be the new permanent system...the "bush tax cuts" will be reimplemented with the new changes...2007 and 2009 and 2011 will be the exact same

Thats an interesting take, I wonder if the DNC will solidify this.

[Thorgrim]

Originally Posted by 6SpeedTA95

Thats an interesting take, I wonder if the DNC will solidify this.

The DNC is a fundraiser, they don't set policy and are neutral in the presidential primaries, etc

Who you need to look at...Charlie Rangel, Steny Hoyer and Nancy Pelosi...those three agree, its a done deal

[6SpeedTA95]

Originally Posted by Thorgrim

The DNC is a fundraiser, they don't set policy and are neutral in the presidential primaries, etc

Who you need to look at...Charlie Rangel, Steny Hoyer and Nancy Pelosi...those three agree, its a done deal

I saw rangel on Cspan this morning.

The head of the DNC doesn't set policy you're correct but he's very much the face of the DNC. If he's not on board this will have a hard time gaining traction.

[Thorgrim]

Originally Posted by 6SpeedTA95

I saw rangel on Cspan this morning.

The head of the DNC doesn't set policy you're correct but he's very much the face of the DNC. If he's not on board this will have a hard time gaining traction.

I am absolutely positive Howard Dean would be on board if those 3 came to him with that idea

[6SpeedTA95]

Originally Posted by Thorgrim

I am absolutely positive Howard Dean would be on board if those 3 came to him with that idea

You are probably right.

[RMNIXON]

I thought the plan was to get us out of Iraq by choking off funds? I think this far more likely than your convoluted tax scheme? The "Rich" already pay the majority of taxes and cover the majority of our debt funding.

[Vietvet]

Originally Posted by 6SpeedTA95

The tax issues wont be out of the way, they raise taxes on those making 150k or more per year and what happens when the bush tax cuts expire? They go up again?

I think that closing the tax loopholes for large corporations, especially the large oil companies, will go a Hell of a long way towards balancing the budget. Since the war profiteers like Halliburton are profiting from all the carnage and chaos in Iraq, I say it's time they stopped feeding at the trough like the greedy piglets they are, and start paying increased taxes to help pay for it. I don't believe the Repulican line for a minute about Democrats coming in and raising taxes for everybody. I wouldn't be surprised if those making over, say, $200,000 a year don't see an increase, eventually. I wonder why it is that the ones who most adamantly support the war in Iraq are the usually the same ones who squeal the loudest about paying their fair share of taxes. I guess when it comes to "sacrifice", they don't mind sacrificing blood and treasure. As long as the blood is somebody else's, and the treasure is put on a credit card to be paid for by future generations. I think people who are well enough off should stop whining and pay their taxes. I pay mine, and it's a substantial amount. I'd rather have it go into the social security trust fund than to pay for a stinking war I was against from the beginning, but I don't whine about being overtaxed.Somehow, I actually paid less during the Clinton years, I still can't figure that out, since Republicans are the ones constantly harping about tax cuts. Compared to most other countries in the world, our tax rates are very low. I find it incredibly crass that rich a-holes are whining about taxes while our brave men and women are in Iraq, without sufficient body armor. Talk about a disconnect...

[6SpeedTA95]

You paid less in taxes during the clinton years? Perhaps because you made less money?

Taxes are lower across the board with Bush and thats not even arguable.

[Diesel66]

Originally Posted by 6SpeedTA95

You paid less in taxes during the clinton years? Perhaps because you made less money?

Taxes are lower across the board with Bush and thats not even arguable.

watch out, someone will argue the 10% tax bracket increased their taxes

[SICKGUY]

Originally Posted by 6SpeedTA95

You paid less in taxes during the clinton years? Perhaps because you made less money?

Taxes are lower across the board with Bush and thats not even arguable.

maybe i pay less in taxes, but im paying alot more for health insurance. so even though i make about 5-6k more than i was 2 years ago, a large chunk of it goes towards paying for health insurance. who is to blame for the dramatic rise in our health insurance over the last 5 years? im sure malpractice suits play a part, but it cant be the sole reason the number of americans covered has declined so much.

they buy us with lower taxes, but rape us in all sorts of other ways.