In all the perversities of Washington gamesmanship, one seems to finally be falling the Democrats' way. But will they actually be savvy, smart, and tough enough to use it? The Democrats have lived up to their end of the bargain on taxes, but this is the only opportunity to prevent the Republicans from reneging on their part of the deal.
The horrible Obama tax cut (it's no longer the Bush tax cut, that ends on Jan 1) has handed the House, the Democrats, and Nancy Pelosi a singular opportunity to to get important work done. If the Republicans want their precious tax cut, including their odious "Tax Break For The Dead," they can sit and rot until the Senate addresses the other important bills now pending.
Pelosi needs to communicate a message, loudly and clearly to the Republicans: You promised to take up the business of the Senate after you shoved the tax bill down our throats. So do it.
If you don't vote on the Dream Act, the House will not vote on tax cuts
If you don't vote on Don't Ask Don't Tell, the House will not vote on tax cuts
If you don't pass the Defense appropriation, the House will not vote on tax cuts
If you don't raise the debt limit, the House will not vote on tax cuts
If you don't approve the START treaty, the House will not vote on tax cuts
If you don't pass 9/11 Responsers' aid, the House will not vote on tax cuts
And on and on. No ifs. No ands. No buts. Schedule the vote for the last hour of the last day of the COngress. And stick to it. Either the Republicans make good on their deal, or they cancel it - IT'S ALL UP TO THE REPUBLICANS.
The Republicans are already trying to renege on their tax cut deal - they got their tax cuts for the wealthiest 2%, and they can run the clock out on everybody else. Don't Let Them.
For perhaps the first and only time in her tenure, Speaker Pelosi can actually use the power of her position to do something for her constituents, her party, and the American people.
Don 't let this opportunity to slip away. Don't let the American people down. Don't let the bastards get away with it!!