http://select.nytimes.com/...
In the interest of stiffening those spines, let me remind senators that this isn't just a fiscal issue, it's also a moral issue. Congress has already declared that the budget deficit is serious enough to warrant depriving children of health care; how can it now say that it's worth enlarging the deficit to give Paris Hilton a tax break?
In my diary last week, which was kindly recommended, a number of you had discussed the framing of the Estate Tax as the Paris Hilton Tax-Relief bill. I know that this has been called that here before, and it is nice to see that one of the most influential columnists in country is picking up some talking points from us. (Of course, I don't know this for a fact, but it sure seems that way, doesn't it??)
My diary: http://www.dailykos.com/...
Krugman makes a strong case for calling those who refuse to filibuster these two bills, and then vote against them, hypocrites. His example: Senator John McCain:
In each case, the crucial vote will be procedural: if 60 senators vote to close off debate, estate tax repeal or something close to it will surely pass. Any senator who votes for cloture but against estate tax repeal -- which I'm told is what John McCain may do -- is simply a hypocrite, trying to have it both ways.
And he calls Democratic "centrists" out too:
But will the Senate vote for cloture? The answer depends on two groups of senators: Democrats like Mr. Baucus who habitually stake out "centrist" positions that give Republicans almost everything they want, and moderate Republicans like Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island who consistently cave in to their party's right wing. Will these senators show more spine than they have in the past?
This is truly a shameless and immoral tax cut to the wealthiest among us; please call those middle of the road senators on this, even if they are not your senator: Baucus, Collins, Snowe, Chaffee. Add others who need a call, too.
Phone numbers can be found at www.vote-smart.org.