Quote:
Originally Posted by parafly
If they voted "no," we would end up in the same exact spot regardless. We go over the fiscal cliff, and the Democrats in the Senate introduce a new bill today which lowers taxes for the bottom 98%. This passes with flying colors and the end result is exactly the same.
|
Incorrect.
In your hypothetical, the various automatic spending cuts would have gone into effect.
In the case of this deal, they do not. So what we get is higher taxes accross the board (payroll tax increase + >$400k increase + deductions end) and no reduction in spending on any kind. In fact, we have increased spending in a number of places.
Quote:
|
They were trapped in a corner with no leverage. Voting no would have been nothing more than a symbolic gesture, and it would have come at a political price.
|
As explained above, that is not factually correct. In addition, you do not need leverage to vote "no" or "yes" on legislation.
Quote:
|
The spending can has been kicked down the road yet again. In my opinion, the Republicans are only marginally concerned about the deficit, much like the Democrats. This was always a battle of keeping the taxes on a specific part of their constituency low.
|
It certainly appears that way, aye. In which case, the (R) failed almost completely.