Boehner: No ‘Difference’ If Revenue Comes From Middle Class Or Super Rich

[ProSense]

Boehner: No ‘Difference’ If Revenue Comes From Middle Class Or Super Rich

By Igor Volsky

House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH), who has refused to support raising marginal tax rates on the richest Americans in order to avert the so-called fiscal cliff, told Fox News Sunday that it doesn’t matter if the government raises revenue by reducing programs that benefit lower and middle class Americans or asks the wealthiest to pay more:

CHIRS WALLACE (HOST): You talked about the fact that the President won and you came out with a concession the day after the election and they point out that the president campaigned on raising tax rates, you know, and it was the big issue, between him and Romney, and, they say, just as he had to cave, after your victory, in the 2010 midterms, now, it is your turn to cave on tax rates.

BOEHNER: What is this difference where the money comes from? We put $800 billion worth of revenue, what he is asking for, out of eliminating the top two tax rates. But, here’s the problem, Chris, when you go and increase tax rates, you make it more difficult for our economy to go, after that income, the small business income, it is going to get taxed at a higher rate and as a result we’ll see slower economic growth, we can’t cut or grow our way out of the problem, we have to have a balanced approach and the President wants to slow or economy at a time when he says he wants the economy to grow and create jobs.

Despite Boehner’s rhetoric, there is no economic evidence to suggest that taxing income above $250,000 hurts the economy. In fact, business thrived during President Clinton’s tenure, as the wealthy paid more.

- more -

http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2012/12/02/1268801/boehner-no-difference-if-revenue-comes-from-middle-class-or-super-rich/

Krugman: What Defines A Serious Deficit Proposal?
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021914963

Republicans Would Rather Laugh Than Bargain...But once the laughter dies down
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021908853

[HereSince1628]

1. That logic should make the salary and benefit cutting of Congress very easy

What difference does it make where cost cuts come from, Mr Bonehead?

[PSPS]

14. Doesn't matter. Even at zero salary & benefits, they're on the pad anyway.

Our political system is so corrupt that the "salary & benefits" afforded congress is irrelevant. Their real income comes from bribes "campaign contributions" and a guaranteed cushy position as a influence peddler "lobbyist" after they complete their crimes "service."

[alcibiades_mystery]

2. People voted on whether they believe the wacky economic theory that low top rate spurs growth

People don't believe it, primarily because it's not true. Boehner can keep repeating it, but that won't change the fundamental dynamics. The majority has rejected this argument.

[Iggy]

3. This is Where Boner is Full of Crap

The wealthy class gets numerous tax breaks, deferrments, etc.- as we learned with Willard. One thing Obama got right this election is it's time for the wealthy class to start paying their fair share again.

it's irrelevant whether or not this will help the economy, create jobs, etc. it's about fairness and stopping the BULLcrap tax evasion congress (including democrats) has allowed to go on for decades.

[jsr]

4. Except that the rich can afford $10,000 bets

[morningfog]

5. Cool, let's take it all from the super rich, then.

[redqueen]

15. +1

[KharmaTrain]

6. Getting...

...an extra $1,000 from someone who earns $50k a year takes a far bigger bite than $20k from someone who earns $1 mil a year. Of course Boner knows that but he's bought and paid for by his country club buddies. He knows this is a big negotiating chip and is trying all he can to parlay it into some Democratic concessions. The fool had the chance 2 years ago and walked...sucks to be him now.

[Angry Dragon]

7. I see that they are all beating that dead horse again

I called my rep the other day just after he was interviewed on radio and asked his office what HIS definition of a small family business. He used this term at least ten times. His office said that people had different definitions. They use terms that they have no idea what they mean.

[nadinbrzezinski]

8. When you spend them

You are right John, but where you get them matters. By the way your bosses have gone Galt on us. So it s time to force them to not sit on that horde, taxes do this.

[ProSense]

9. He isn't making a point

"When you spend them...You are right John, but where you get them matters."

...about spending so he's not "right." In fact, he's full of shit.

On the other side, tax cuts for the rich don't create jobs, they aren't stimulative. The only purpose they serve is to line the pockets of rich whiners.

[nadinbrzezinski]

10. Retread

Ok, will translate it. "They have gone Galt." Aka they are not producing jobs.

"Taxing them forces them to no longer sit on their horde" one of the answers of the investor class to taxes is investing in their businesses. (That means creating jobs). Listen to Buffett he's even explained it. Higher taxes correlate to job creation. It has since we started keeping records of shit like this.

But at the point the Feds spend the money...do more explanation, what John is engaged in is a semantic game

I hope this clarifies this. I guess the Galt reference went whoosh.

[ProSense]

13. No need to clarify.

I just felt compelled to point out that Boehner is not right.

"John is engaged in is a semantic game"

No, it's the same tired "job creators" argument.

[nadinbrzezinski]

16. Have a good day

Oy

[WinkyDink]

11. That is not a statement of arithmetic; it is a statement of attitude.

[nadinbrzezinski]

12. Exactly.

[darkangel218]

17. Doesnt the way you say Boehner sound like Boing, boing, boing?

[ProSense]

18. Geithner: Republicans Are In A ‘Tough Position’

Geithner: Republicans Are In A ‘Tough Position’

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said that Republicans are in a "tough position" with regards to a debt deal because they still have to figure out what their side is willing to put forward, during an interview on "Fox News Sunday." While Republicans have called on Democrats to propose cuts to entitlements, Geithner argued on Sunday that Democrats had put forward a detailed plan and that if Republicans want something different, then the ball is in their court.

"They're in kind of a tough position now," Geithner said. "They're trying to figure out how to find a way to support things that they know they're gonna have to do," Geithner said. "It's going to be very hard for them. You've heard them, for the first time I think in two decades now, acknowledge that they're willing to have revenues go up as part of a balanced plan. That's a good first step. But they have to tell us what they're willing to do on rates and revenues. That's going to be very hard for Republicans."

Geithner returned to this theme later in the interview: "Again, if they need a little more time to figure out what they can do -- what they want to do -- that's OK. We don't have that much time though."

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/geithner-republicans-are-in-tough-position

Geithner Draws line in sand: No Rate hikes for 2% = No Fiscal Deal. Also, SS off table!
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/12/02/1166592/-Geithner-Draws-line-in-sand-No-Rate-hikes-for-2-No-Deal

[smirkymonkey]

19. He is such a F***ing idiot. Seriously, the guy needs to be committed to a mental institution.

There is no reasoning with unhinged people like this. He just needs to go, for the good of the country.

[tanyev]

20. How in the world does he keep getting reelected?