Morning Joe: "Republicans have already agreed to tax increases for first time in 25 years..."

[kentuck]

It's a lie and a distortion.

This is what Joe Scarborough was arguing this morning right from the start of his show. He was saying that the President was in a permanent campaign mode and all he knew how to say was "tax increases, tax increases..."

To begin with, Joe was talking about Repubs raising taxes during the so-called "fiscal cliff" debate. In fact, they were debating whether or not to let the Bush taxcuts expire in their entirety or to give tax cuts to those making less than $450K per year. The truth of the matter is that they already agreed to raise these taxes when they were passed in 2001 and 2003. They were never permanent and Joe Scarborough knows that. They had already agreed to raise those taxes when they passed the cuts the first time. The deal was made with the Repubs to keep from going over the "fiscal cliff".

There were several of the usual guests on the show and none actually called Joe on his lie and distortion so here it is...

[monmouth3]

1. I saw Rendell and turned it off. I did hear his distortion for a few minutes on the tax increases

and the President in his "permanent campaign mode." He makes me ill.

[customerserviceguy]

2. I really don't see the GOP bending any more on taxes

Unless there is some kind of major tax reform as part of a grand bargain. I guarantee there are elements of such a bargain that the vast majority of us won't like.

[kentuck]

3. You may be right but....

I was simply pointing out that the Repubs agreed to raise the taxes when they first passed the tax bills in 2001 and 2003. It was part of the "fiscal cliff" debate. Joe is distorting the truth.

[customerserviceguy]

4. That he is

And it's how the reich-wing media keeps Rethuglican congresscritters in line. The truth doesn't matter to them, only the outcome. Whatever their talking heads in the media have to fabricate to give them cover works.

[AndyA]

7. The GOP had to sunset the tax cuts in ten years due to existing rules

that existed at the time, requiring spending cuts when cutting revenue.

Joe frequently distorts the truth. Sometimes he just flat out lies, too.

[AndyA]

5. Hmmm...watch Mourning Joe or have prolonged, uncontrolled diarrhea?

Not sure which is worse, will have to think about it...

[KharmaTrain]

6. Joey's Always Good For Revisionist Bullshit...

The problem here is the corporate media agreed that the return to the pre-2003 tax rates for those earning over $450k was a tax hike. They also push that the resumption of the Social Security payroll tax...money you'll get (and NEED) when you retire is also a tax hike. He and others were harping that this increase was the cause that Wal-Mart's having a bad hair day. Total bullshit.

Bottom line is the rushpublicans will not vote for any taxes on their rich benefactors. They see the sequester as a way to make a big hurt in entitlements and that their corporate welfare will get restored. Sadly, they're probably right...

[kentuck]

9. I noticed that!

It was resumption of the "payroll tax" that is causing problems with our economy. People are missing that money. Of course, most folks said they never got a tax break when it happened. In fact, they said that Obama raised their taxes!

[PatSeg]

8. Joe goes off on these distorted rants first thing in the morning

and not being totally awake, I often feel like I am in some alternate universe. This morning was worse than most and I get so frustrated because no one contradicts him. I can tell by the looks on their faces that want to, but when Joe gets wound up, no one else is allowed to speak.

This seems to be the latest republican talking point, Obama got his tax increases and NOW he wants more! Nothing he said resembled reality and my head is still spinning.

[Johonny]

10. Democrats voted 172-16 in favor while Republicans votes 151-85 against

So much for the agreed to increase taxes. They didn't agree they had to be drug kicking and screaming to do anything to raise the revenue rate of the country.