His new budget plan to reduce debt call for more tax increases. It adds things the Republicans want also. How will they respond? http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/05/u...-obama-budget.html?partner=MYWAY&ei=5065&_r=0 http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/05/politics/obama-budget/index.html?hpt=hp_t2
in part, a new tax on tobacco to fund certain projects. (I don't get that. If less and less Americans are smoking these days, then when will there be no tobacco tax to fund these projects). In part, additional taxes on the wealthy to compromise with Obama's willingness to adjust the cost of living and inflation formulas on SS benefits. I think Republicans will balk at this to their detriment. I don't think they have a lot of support right now and Obama is using his leverage. Giving them a little to get what he wanted in the first place.
Obama says "Not!" The Reps have called for him to put out his plan for months. He will lay it out in full next week. If the public doesn't flip out over it and the Reps balk at it, then there may be a change of the guard in the HoR next year. This I think is going to be interesting.
I read a headline in passing where Obama is proposing cutting SS and Medicare? Is that right? That CAN'T be popular.
Its the classic political spending paradox. He is not proposing to cut today's number, just how much it grows over time. So if you get $100 today, you will not be cut and only get $90. But in the future, the current formula says you will get $125. His new formula would say you will get less than that, say $115. So it is a cut, isn't it? The Reps have been wanting to cut (or decrease the growth due to inflation) also so they can't use the "he's cutting your SS check!" argument. Obama has to sell his point of view but he won't have any distracting argument.
far left liberals are going to stand on their nutty heads over the proposed changes to ss and medicare but this is a good start IMO. these spending cuts are necessary and any reasonable person would agree
