Sound Politics Public Blog: Why Are Republicans Voting Against Tax Cuts?

December 04, 2010

Why Are Republicans Voting Against Tax Cuts?

I recently wrote an email to Dave Reichert. The note was -- why did you vote against a tax cut...you're a Republican!?

Maybe they don't like the color of their money, but the recent elections have said one thing and one thing only -- people do not want to pay tax for a system they consider inequitable. And that's the only thing they said.

Hence, it doesn't matter who is cutting taxes and for whom. If a tax cut is on the table -- the Republicans are supposed to vote for it...no matter the color of the money (red or blue).

Therefore, I am shocked that Republicans would vote against the tax cut for the middle class that Obama proposed. Republicans should vote for any and all tax cuts! If the cut only happens to benefit those making less that $250,000 then so be it -- that covers a lot of people.

Posted by jabailo at December 04, 2010 12:36 PM | Email This

Comments

1. Note that all the Washington Democrats,(except Brian Baird), voted yes. That should tell you something

Posted by: Bill Cruchon on December 5, 2010 01:01 PM

2. Because they're tax cuts that don't work; if you want to grow the GDP - and get people back to work - you have to cut taxes for "the wealthy" and businesses. If you want to just buy some votes, do the targeted tax cut thing. If you actually want to solve problems, then cut taxes for all.

Posted by: Shanghai Dan on December 6, 2010 05:21 AM

3. The goal of the congressional Republicans (in this case) is to actually maintain the tax cuts for everyone. This goal can best be achieved by a single combined vote on extending the Bush tax cuts.

Again, the goal is to ACTUALLY maintain the tax cuts, not merely give lip service to maintain the tax cuts. Artificially breaking up the vote into separate income groups would possibly somewhat endanger the chances of ACTUALLY maintaining the tax cuts. Also, it would improperly give credence to the class warfare ideology of the progressives.

Posted by: Steve Beren on December 6, 2010 11:16 AM

4.
So, now the problem is, no one gets the extension of tax cuts (Democrats reject).

I maintain the Republicans should have taken the original plan. If they then want "more tax cut extensions" for other income groups, they can then try and sell that now or in the next Congress.

I don't see the utility, economically or politically, in wanting to be (as do all parties) that of "the Middle Class" but then denying me my tax cut extension for the sake of some other group of which I am not a part!

Posted by: John Bailo on December 9, 2010 12:32 PM

5. Sorry John, the President and the GOP have agreed on keeping tax rates flat. It is the Democrats who are trying to raise taxes.

Your anger is misplaced; you should be upset at the Democrats for ignoring the GOP and the President who have a deal to keep taxes constant.

Posted by: Shanghai Dan on December 9, 2010 07:13 PM