‘If Republicans want to do cuts,’ then cut corporate welfare

[UCmeNdc]

“If Republicans want to have a conversation about cuts, we should have a conversation about cuts,” Ellison, a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, told host Cenk Uygur. “Let’s start with Medicare Part D and say, ‘If you want to save money, you want to cut the deficit, let’s let there be competitive bidding for Medicare Part D prescription drugs. That would save about $150 billion.”

He added that eliminating oil, gas and coal tax breaks and subsidies would leave “another $100 billion” in government coffers. Ellison also suggested that America’s nuclear arsenal could be trimmed down to save even more money.


Raw Story (http://s.tt/1xXWe)

[dkf]

1. Oh for gods sakes Republicans always talk about reforming the tax code.

Obama should have taken them up on the offer.

[Cali_Democrat]

5. Stop pretending as if Republicans want real reform

Republicans claim they want to reform the tax code, but they want to make sure any kind of reform reduces revenue to the government.

I'm sure conservatives like you are aware that Republicans are all about less revenue going to government, especially from the wealthy and corporations.

When they talk about reform, it's code for having the wealthy and corporations pay even less.

[dkf]

7. Yeah because the Obama tax cuts didn't reduce revenue to the government right?

The Republicans don't need to do it anymore. We do it for them.

[Cali_Democrat]

9. Had the Bush tax cuts expired in full, then revenue is now reduced because of the deal

But the recent deal increases revenue compared to where we would have been if the Bush tax cuts continued.

Your guy, Romney, wanted to not only continue the Bush tax cuts, but he wanted even more tax breaks for the wealthy and corporations. Thankfully that bullet was dodged.

[daleanime]

2. Hell yes!

[DrewFlorida]

3. Full agreement! I was surprised Obama was not pushing to eliminate oil industry welfare

during the cliff negotiations.

[bemildred]

4. Now we're talking, cut corporate welfare, cut corporate entitlements. Tax corporations.

Let's have constant government surveillance and monitoring of corporations for illegal activities too, and lots of reporting requirements.

[Donfini]

6. Taxes

Does anyone know why the Whitehouse put the corporate tax breaks in the cliff diving deal?
I can't figure that out!

[OKNancy]

8. Congress approved it

In all, more than 50 temporary tax breaks were renewed through 2013, saving businesses and individuals about $76 billion. Congress routinely renews the tax package, attracting intense lobbying -- and campaign donations -- from businesses and trade groups that say the tax breaks help them prosper and create jobs.

Businesses have grown used to many of the longstanding tax breaks, but they also have had to get used to the uncertainty of whether they will be renewed each year. As lawmakers struggled to reach consensus on a wide range of tax issues, the tax breaks were allowed to expire at the end of 2011.

The package passed by Congress this week and signed by President Barack Obama renews the tax breaks retroactively, so taxpayers can claim them on both their 2012 and 2013 tax returns.

The biggest of the bunch, a tax credit for research and development, helps U.S. manufacturers compete against foreign competition, according to the National Association of Manufacturers. Another provision helps restaurants and retailers expand by allowing them to more quickly write off the costs, according to the National Restaurant Association.

These provisions have widespread support in Congress; others are more obscure.

For example, there is a tax credit for producing electricity from windmills.

http://www.columbian.com/news/2013/jan/04/business-gets-big-breaks-in-tax-deal/

[annabanana]

10. Giving ANY money to the energy giants is JUST PLAIN

DUMB!! Surely they can subsist on their profits.

[Fuddnik]

11. In your dreams.

That welfare pays for lavish campaign contributions to both parties.

[tclambert]

12. Republicans are all for unicorns and rainbows.

That's what they call rhinoceroses and thunderstorms. They're all about labeling.

[The Jungle 1]

13. Socialist corporate welfare

I agree 100%.
Thing is socialist corporate welfare does not get enough attention. Not even on this site.
The recent cliff bill was stuffed with socialist corporate welfare.
Nothing in DC gets done until the socialist corporate welfare is paid out.

We must stop it. Our voice needs to be louder on this one important issue.

Corporate America has a huge scam going. They won't build anything or invest in anything until all the blackmail bids are in from the local governments.
They hold us for ransom. It must be stopped.

Why do I have to pay for ball fields. I live in Pa and the public built two stadiums in Pittsburgh and two stadiums in Philadelphia. What the heII am I getting out of that. But I should stand by while Medicare is cut. NO not gonna happen.

Why do I have to give Shell oil huge tax breaks for a cracker plant in western Pa. I don't want to. My state has slashed education funding yet the socialist corporate welfare flows like a river.

Understand I have nothing against socialism. Fact is we are socialist. Republicans have a huge problem with socialism. So it is way past time to punch back. Corporate welfare is socialism. Bring it up every chance you get.

You will be stunned how fast republicans shut their pie hole when you point out just how much socialist corporate welfare there really is.
Every single time you hear repubs whine about socialism or welfare give um a straight right to the chin. Tell them, first we need to end is all socialist corporate welfare.

Also don't call it corporate welfare cause it is SOCIALIST CORPORATE WELFARE. Every chance you get.

[ReRe]

14. Hail yes, Keith Ellison!

Thanks UCmeNdc for this post. Damn right. A-L-L corporate welfare, and MIC corporate welfare too. There's a gazillion things they can cut to save/gain revenue. There's some debt-ceiling reduction for you right there! COMMON SENSE DOES MAKE SENSE!

[indepat]

15. And eliminate the carried-interest largess and all corporate welfare, tax dividends and capital

gains the same as earned income, raise the social security cap, cut MIC spending dramatically by bringing home most of the troops in more that 100(?) countries, and handsomely provide for the national defense rather than for global hegemony, just for starters.