For the past two years, I have been absolutely stunned by the inability of the large Democratic majority in the Senate to get things done. Republicans have shamelessly abused the filibuster to block bill after bill, often for no good reason other than to be seen standing up to President Obama. It really calls into question the entire legitimacy of the filibuster. But that aside, it is high time the Democrats turned that procedural nonsense back against the Republicans, specifically on the issue of the expiring Bush tax cuts.
Normally I am not a big fan of pure political calculation informing policy. In this case, however, making a little political hay could actually be good for the country. The reason: Extending the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans is as bad a move for the country as not extending them for the poor and middle class would be. Continuing the cuts for the wealthy takes $700 billion out of government tax revenue at a time we are being slowly crushed to death by mounting public debt, while not extending them for lower income levels will directly reduce consumer spending at a time we are trying to bring our consumer driven economy back to life. Democrats know this and for once they should see the fight through by making clear to the Republicans that there will be no vote on extending the tax cuts for the rich. Period. Then put the middle class extensions, which have already passed in the House, back up for another Senate vote and let the Republicans filibuster or vote "no", knowing that they would be held fully accountable by the voters in 2012 if they did so. It is a hardball, strongarm tactic which Republicans would not hesitate to employ if the the shoe were on the other foot, and the Democrats should not hesitate now.
Reposted from my blog