Some say the President's hands are tied,that he is a victim of the Republicans.
Others say the President's hands are not tied, in fact he has shown his hand finally. He is for supply side trickle down measures. He is giving away the farm in the name of helping a few.
Whatever.
Progressives still can make calls and do our best for a new deal, a better deal.
(See update 2, Hoyer)
A couple of quick action ideas for those who want change:
Facebook/Tweet/Email this and ask folks to call Congress:
Top 5 Problems with the Tax Deal
Everyone knows that the "deal" that President Obama agreed to with Republicans will extend George W. Bush's reckless millionaire tax bailout--but what a lot of folks don't realize is that there are lots of other terrible parts of it, too.
Unemployed Americans desperately need their benefits extended to get by in this economy—so Republicans held them hostage to force through a slew of horrible economic policies in this deal.
Can you check out the list below and then share it by posting it on facebook and twitter and forwarding to your friends?
Problem #1: The deal is a stealth attack on Social Security.
The deal will lower the payroll tax—the tax that funds the Social Security trust. This is a trap for Democrats. Republicans have been coming after Social Security for years and this cut is the biggest threat to the vital program in decades. It will cut one-third of Social Security's funding this year alone and when we need to restore the payroll tax back to its current level, Republicans will cry "tax increases" and could gut it permanently. 1
Problem #2: For nearly one in three workers, it's a tax increase.
Nearly 50 million working Americans—including all workers making less than $20,000 per year—and millions of federal, state, and municipal workers will see their taxes go up because of the deal.2
Problem #3: The deal has not one but TWO millionaire bailouts.
In addition to extending all the Bush income tax breaks for the top 2%, the deal will slash the estate tax. If Congress did nothing, next year the estate tax would be 55% and apply to everyone inheriting $1 million or more. But the deal reduces it to 35% and only people who inherit more than $5 million will have to pay. This second bailout will give a gigantic tax giveaway to a few thousand of the richest families in the country and add hundreds of billions to the national debt.3
Problem #4: Unemployment help is insufficient and inadequate.
While the deal extends unemployment benefits for another 13 months for people currently receiving it, millions of unemployed workers who've struggled the most and been out of work more than 99 weeks—since the giant Wall Street banks wrecked the economy—will get no help at all under the deal.4 It's a gamble that there will be jobs in the next 13 months when the insurance runs out, but the tax cuts will go well beyond that. Better to just pass a stand-alone unemployment extension to help all struggling Americans.
Problem #5: Tax giveaways to the rich are a terrible way to create jobs.
Tax breaks for the rich are the least efficient way to create jobs and help the economy grow. In fact the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office says extending all tax cuts would lower unemployment only 0.1% to 0.3% over the next year5 and that the cost of the tax deal would be $900 billion over the next five years.6
All major problems, all of which can be altered in the House.
What to say when you call? CredoAction:
Help stop the Obama/GOP deal on Bush tax cuts for the rich
Pres. Obama has caved to Republicans on Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans and now the Senate is poised to rubberstamp Pres. Obama's terrible deal. House Democrats have already informally voted to reject the deal, but we need them to stay strong and vote against it on the floor of the House. Urge your representative to reject the Obama/GOP deal on Bush tax cuts for the rich. Call now.
Script
Hi - my name is divineorder and I live in Austin, TX.
I'm calling to urge my Representative to oppose President Obama's terrible deal to extend the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy.
Will the Representative vote against this bad deal?
If no/undecided,
The Bush tax cuts for the wealthy are not fair and they're not effective. Democrats in Congress have campaigned against these tax giveaways for years. It would be a moral outrage if Democrats in Congress vote to extend them.
If yes,
Great. Thanks for your time.
Should we not insure that we did our best to rectify the problems in the bill?
Call
202-225-4865
####
UPDATE 1: More Action
WHIP COUNT: Do House Democrats Support Pelosi if She Advances Obama-GOP Tax Plan?
UPDATE 2: Its not over
news release
Hoyer Says House Will Pass Tax Bill But Dems Will Offer Amendments to Reduce Breaks For Estates, Wealthy
WASHINGTON, Dec. 13, 2010 PRNewswire-USNewswire -- House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) told a National Press Club Newsmakers News Conference today (Dec. 13) that the House will pass President Obama's tax compromise bill but because of "concerns," Democrats will offer amendments to reduce breaks for estates and the wealthy. Hoyer said that while the middle class tax cuts will have large positive economic impact, the rich tax breaks have minimal value. He was particularly critical of raising the estate tax break to 5 million dollars, which he said exempts "just the 39,000 wealthiest Americans" who "do not need" tax assistance. He called recent tax negotiations "mixed." He said, "An issue we should all be concerned about is that the wealthiest 1% control a quarter of all income."
He stated that normal House procedures would be applied -- the House could amend the Senate bill. However, he added, after the Senate acts this week—which he said could be as early as Tuesday or Wednesday -- "we (the House) will pass a bill."
Hoyer asserted "the need for American leaders to look beyond two-year election cycles." He contended, "We won't get to full employment in two years or out of debt in two years. We have to get beyond emergency measures."
On the recent elections in which Democrats lost 63 House seats and six Senate seats, Hoyer said, "Anger must be tempered to not send us to zero gain warfare. Voters want real solutions for growth and debt reduction." He added, "Job creation will be the measure of success in the next Congress."
In response to a question (by Bob Weiner, former Chief of Staff of the US House Aging Committee) asking how Social Security has become a symbol of the deficit when the program is actually solvent through 2037 with funds seniors paid in and might only be short 25% after that, Hoyer said the point that Social Security is solvent was "good" and Democrats will make sure it stays solvent and that the program "will not be privatized" or weakened. "Generations have had it for their retirement. Social Security is not the way to save the deficit. We need a more secure Social Security and health care," he stated.
Contact: Bob Weiner/Gavi Swerling 301-283-0821/202-306-1200 weinerpublic@comcast.net