Suck it, Norquist!

[CountDeMoney]

I agree with Yi.  Even if you do an honest tax hike on the rich, which will mean addressing capital gains and closing Cayman loopholes rather than raising the tax they don't pay from 35% to 39%, you still won't get that far.  Middle class will have to pony up, whether they like it or not.

I don't think the middle class has a problem with that; Johnny Six Pack doesn't have an issue with pulling his weight and taking his lumps, as long as there's the perception that everybody else is as well.  The fact that a certain percentage of Romnyis haven't has been the problem that exacerbates the situation.

[garbon]

I don't think the middle class has a problem with that; Johnny Six Pack doesn't have an issue with pulling his weight and taking his lumps, as long as there's the perception that everybody else is as well.  The fact that a certain percentage of Romnyis haven't has been the problem that exacerbates the situation.

Umm, pretty sure they do take issue with the notion that they should pay more in taxes.

[CountDeMoney]

I don't think the middle class has a problem with that; Johnny Six Pack doesn't have an issue with pulling his weight and taking his lumps, as long as there's the perception that everybody else is as well.  The fact that a certain percentage of Romnyis haven't has been the problem that exacerbates the situation.

Umm, pretty sure they do take issue with the notion that they should pay more in taxes.

And I think it'll be more politically digestible for them if they knew the 1% ponied up their share.  So there.  Nyah.

[merithyn]

To a very great extent, this is the real basis for Republican opposition to any tax hikes.  Yes, of course, a lot of Republicans feel that taxes are a necessary evil in the first place, but there's also alway been a strong suspicion that if taxes are raised by X amount to reduce the deficit, instead of also cutting spending, the Democrats are instead just going to increase spending by 2X.  Or more.

That's probably a fair assessment. FWIW, I would be just as quick to turn on the Democrats on this issue as I did on the Republicans. The only option available to us, economically speaking, is for both cuts and tax hikes. It may have to go slow (for both) until the economy isn't limping so much anymore, but ultimately, there have to be significant cuts/changes in government spending alongside the increase in taxes for the majority of the higher wage earners. (By that I mean those not skimming along just this side of poverty. Personally, I would gladly pay more in taxes if it meant universal health care, but I know I'm in the minority on this in the US.)

[garbon]

I don't think the middle class has a problem with that; Johnny Six Pack doesn't have an issue with pulling his weight and taking his lumps, as long as there's the perception that everybody else is as well.  The fact that a certain percentage of Romnyis haven't has been the problem that exacerbates the situation.

Umm, pretty sure they do take issue with the notion that they should pay more in taxes.

And I think it'll be more politically digestible for them if they knew the 1% ponied up their share.  So there.  Nyah.

Except that your man is starting his tour telling them that they don't have to pay more taxes.

Also, I'd cite that California example. California just passed the prop to raise taxes on rich (pretty close yes and no). However the prop to raise taxes on all failed miserably (like 71 to 29).

[merithyn]

Except that your man is starting his tour telling them that they don't have to pay more taxes.

Also, I'd cite that California example. California just passed the prop to raise taxes on rich (pretty close yes and no). However the prop to raise taxes on all failed miserably (like 71 to 29).

I have a feeling that those kinds of votes will continue until it's shown that people like Romney have paid more than 10% on all of their income, instead of barely 10% on a tiny portion of their income.

[CountDeMoney]

Except that your man is starting his tour telling them that they don't have to pay more taxes.

Also, I'd cite that California example. California just passed the prop to raise taxes on rich (pretty close yes and no). However the prop to raise taxes on all failed miserably (like 71 to 29).

Yeah, that's what he's ran on, and he's simply keeping the pipples engaged and informed.  Kudos to the POTUS with the mostest.

I'm sure he will make every effort to ensure the middle class dodges the bullet.

[garbon]

Except that your man is starting his tour telling them that they don't have to pay more taxes.

Also, I'd cite that California example. California just passed the prop to raise taxes on rich (pretty close yes and no). However the prop to raise taxes on all failed miserably (like 71 to 29).

I have a feeling that those kinds of votes will continue until it's shown that people like Romney have paid more than 10% on all of their income, instead of barely 10% on a tiny portion of their income.

I have a feeling it is going to be that way for well like forever considering that only a minority of people go "gee, I think I'm not paying enough taxes right now, let me fork over some more."

[garbon]

Except that your man is starting his tour telling them that they don't have to pay more taxes.

Also, I'd cite that California example. California just passed the prop to raise taxes on rich (pretty close yes and no). However the prop to raise taxes on all failed miserably (like 71 to 29).

I have a feeling that those kinds of votes will continue until it's shown that people like Romney have paid more than 10% on all of their income, instead of barely 10% on a tiny portion of their income.

Also if that were the case, I'm not sure why the cutoff in discussions of the wealthy starts at those making over $250k a year. If you're making that as a salary, you're paying a lot of money in taxes.

[merithyn]

Also if that were the case, I'm not sure why the cutoff in discussions of the wealthy starts at those making over $250k a year. If you're making that as a salary, you're paying a lot of money in taxes.

Not everyone is. Loopholes are a rich man's best friend.

[garbon]

Also if that were the case, I'm not sure why the cutoff in discussions of the wealthy starts at those making over $250k a year. If you're making that as a salary, you're paying a lot of money in taxes.

Not everyone is. Loopholes are a rich man's best friend.

Sure if those are things like capital gains/dividends and not salary.

[dps]

Also if that were the case, I'm not sure why the cutoff in discussions of the wealthy starts at those making over $250k a year. If you're making that as a salary, you're paying a lot of money in taxes.

Not everyone is. Loopholes are a rich man's best friend.

Which is why if I had my way, we'd close all the loopholes.  But that isn't happening.

[MadImmortalMan]

Norquist never had all this power. I don't understand this hype surrounding him. For whatever reason, he's being made out to be some godlike figure, but it's mostly BS.

[Caliga]

Plus, his name is Grover.  WTF

[Valmy]

Plus, his name is Grover.  WTF