I can't really say that I want my taxes to go up. I acknowledge, however, that I am fortunate to be blessed with legendary job security and that I can afford to pay more in taxes if asked to. In the current political climate, I would rather have my taxes raised than see the deficit continue to climb.
I make well below $100,000 per year. I know Obama promised not to raise my taxes, but I would rather see them raised than have the country crippled by debt fear mongering. While I am only one voter, I am willing to release him from that promise if that is what it takes.
We have reached the point where fear mongering over the deficit has reached such a fever pitch that even wiping out the Bush tax cuts would act as an economic stimulus by assuaging business fears of a Greek style debt crisis.
Mr President,
There are many things that you cannot do, and I do not hold you accountable for those things that you are powerless to do. When you took office, you took a number of stands, and signed a number of executive orders that fulfilled a number of campaign promises with the stroke of a pen. Unlike most moments in your career, here is one unique situation where, with the stroke of a pen, or even the threat of the stroke of a pen, you can directly control tax policy, at least in part.
You have the authority to veto bills. Declare the Bush tax cuts dead on arrival on your desk. A single statement: "I will veto any bill that extends the Bush tax cuts on incomes above $250,000 dollars by a single day." renders those tax cuts dead on arrival.
Last night, when you blasted the republicans and their absurd fear mongering, you made a strong first step toward this goal. This is just another step along the right path.
You are not up for reelection, but far too many of your allies and sometime allies in the congress are. By declaring the Bush tax cuts on the DOA gives political cover to those allies; those in red districts can howl and whine in public, and offer amendments and demand that those tax cuts be extended. Others with different demographics can stake out other positions as they see fit. There are one of three possible outcomes here:
If no bill comes before you, you can take credit for cutting the deficit, and blast republicans for denying tax cuts to the middle class. By taking the strong public 'all or nothing' position first, even if republicans get on board, you can claim the tax cuts for the middle class as your own. If a bill comes before you that has the tax cuts you want, you can claim credit for reducing the deficit. If you are forced to veto a bill, then you get to be the 'bad guy', and provide political cover for your congressional allies.
This is going to be a base election. The Bush tax cuts are extremely unpopular among the democratic base. Please take heed that the ones saying "we can't afford to end the Bush tax cuts" are mainly republicans who won't say nice things about anything you do anyway. Killing the Bush tax cuts by veto will earn you points with those concerned about the deficit, those angry with the Bush tax cuts themselves, and those concerned about your lack of leadership. You can't win with republicans, but you can still stand your ground and motivate your base.
This is one situation where you can use Washington's inability to make progress to your advantage.
If the democratic leadership of the house and senate are willing to play some political hardball, the situation can work even more strongly in your favor. Rather than extending the Bush tax cuts, let them expire, why not create a separate bill for only the middle class tax cuts. Such a move would present republicans with a Morton's fork: either fight for a useless gesture by demanding to extend all of the tax cuts, or allow the democrats to pass some useful legislation.
Presented in this way, the republicans would own the choice; they would be the ones to filibuster the tax cuts, a move strongly abhorrent to their base, or they would be forced to work with democrats.
But most importantly, you must be firm in readiness to veto the bush tax cuts. I respect you for being careful and your use of subtlety, but this is one of the few times when you can afford to be unyielding.
Mr president, please do what's right for the country and stand firm on the Bush tax cuts. Raise my taxed without hesitating if that's what it takes.
I can't claim to speak for everyone here, but rec this if you agree.