President Obama Accuses House GOP of Holding Middle Class Tax Cuts ‘Hostage’

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Source: ABC News

President Obama is urging Congress to extend tax breaks for the middle class, saying it’s “unacceptable for some Republicans in Congress to hold middle class tax cuts hostage simply because they refuse to let tax rates go up on the wealthiest Americans.”

With the clock ticking toward the so-called “fiscal cliff,” Obama asked lawmakers in his weekly address to “begin by doing what we all agree on” and extend the middle class tax cuts set to expire at the end of the year.

“With the issue behind us, we’ll have more time to work out a plan to bring down our deficits in a balanced way, including by asking the wealthiest Americans to pay a little more, so we can still invest in the things that make our nation strong,” he said from a toy manufacturing facility in Hatfield, Pa., where he delivered a similar message to workers Friday.

(snip)
“If we can just get a few House Republicans on board, I’ll sign this bill as soon as Congress sends it my way,” he said.

Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/12/obama-accuses-house-gop-of-holding-middle-class-tax-cuts-hostage/

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Transcript

(snip)
So let’s begin by doing what we all agree on. Both parties say we should keep middle-class taxes low. The Senate has already passed a bill to keep income taxes from going up on middle-class families. Democrats in the House are ready to do the same thing. And if we can just get a few House Republicans on board, I’ll sign this bill as soon as Congress sends it my way.

But it’s unacceptable for some Republicans in Congress to hold middle class tax cuts hostage simply because they refuse to let tax rates go up on the wealthiest Americans. And if you agree with me, then I could use your help. Let your congressman know what $2,000 means to you. Give them a call. Write them an email. Or tweet them using the hashtag “My2K.” That’s My2K.

You and your family have a lot riding on the outcome of this debate. We all do. And as citizens, we all have a say in the country we want to build – not just on election day, but every day. So make your voice heard. I promise, it makes a difference. Thanks, and have a great weekend.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/11/30/weekly-address-urging-congress-extend-middle-class-tax-cuts

&feature=player_embedded

[geckosfeet]

1. Letter writing time....

[John2]

2. You cannot

blame the President for the state of the economy or even the Deficit, when people elect those kind of people into Congress. The President has a hard time even enacting his Policies. I've listed Boner's ties to Lobbyists out of Wall Street such as Goldman Sachs. If you saw the interview from the CEO of Goldman Sachs, then you know that his agenda is the same as Boehner. Does anybody thinks it is a coincident, that his agenda is similar to Mitt Romney and what Boehner is proposing?

Boehner's District in Ohio entails a population of over 700,000 people which includes many red districts of rural counties, that is 90 percent white. He satisfies his constituents with ear marks to keep him in office with such goodies as farm subsidies, which include lower prices on products, negotiated by the Federal Government. That keeps him in office, while he carries out his agenda for those Lobbyists from Wall Street. Some of those subsidies, includes a food stamp program for farm products too. So he fools his middleclass and working class constituents, while he intends to rape them in the end by getting rid of these spending programs for his wealthier constituents.

[blackspade]

4. That is the way to frame it!

Bravo!

[onehandle]

5. I would also add that they are an illegitimate power.

Millions of more voters voted for Democratic candidates than Republican candidates, and yet the 'House is Republican.'

Ignore them, Mr. President. Let's go off the cliff and then propose the 'Obama Middle Class Tax Cuts.'

[burnsei sensei]

6. As far as I'm concerned,

The Republicans have been holding all potential American prosperity hostage for decades.
Social justice will bring about national prosperity, and this is a truth they just can't take.
The Republicans have held the American people and their future hostage ever since Obama became president.
Their efforts have been the most intense over the last three years.
Something's got to make them snap, and soon.
They are economic terrorists, declaring their economic war on the whole of American society.
Damn them.

[nobodyspecial]

7. I'm glad he used those exact words

because it is exactly what the GOP is doing. If they pass the cuts now, they lose their biggest bargaining chip. I hope he turns up the heat and every Dem stays on point. Perhaps the people will finally realize they are being played -- and it's not both sides doing it.

[TomCADem]

8. Media Gives A Republicans A Free Pass On "Not Serious" Talking Points

Republicans have not put an offer on the table. They refer to the Ryan proposal, but refuse to endorse or try to sell it. Heck, even Romney ran away from it. When will the media demand a Republican to put his money where his mouth is and describe the proposal they want and how they want to pay for tax cuts to the rich with cuts to the middle class?

[DeSwiss]

9. If they're holding hostages, that would make them kidnappers.

- And kidnappers should be thrown in prison, right? Hmmm, I wonder if we can squeeze 286 more people into Guantanamo??? Since we've still got it, we might as well put it to good use.....

K&R

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