January 1st is right around the corner, and for many hard-working Americans struggling to make ends meet, what may happen on that day, may be the last thing you want to hear about.
The same Republicans who, time and time again, put the necks of the middle class on the chopping block to protect tax cuts for the rich, voted today to raise taxes on the poor and middle class Americans, beginning the first day in January.
After seeing how House Republicans are so blatantly against the hard workers of this country, an obviously upset President, Mr. Obama, interrupted a press briefing to deliver this statement.
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. Good afternoon, everybody. It is no secret that there hasn’t been an abundance of partisanship in Washington this year. And that’s why what happened on Saturday was such a big deal.
Nearly the entire Senate — including almost all of the Republicans — voted to prevent 160 million working Americans from receiving a tax increase on January 1st. Nearly the entire Senate voted to make sure that nearly 2.5 million Americans who are out there looking for a job don’t lose their unemployment insurance in the first two months of next year. And just about everybody –Democrats and Republicans — committed to making sure that early next year we find a way to extend the payroll tax cut and unemployment insurance through the end of 2012.
But now, even though Republicans and Democrats in the Senate were willing to compromise for the good of the country, a faction of Republicans in the House are refusing to even vote on the Senate bill — a bill that cuts taxes for 160 million Americans. And because of their refusal to cooperate, all those Americans could face a tax hike in just 11 days, and millions of Americans who are out there looking for work could find their unemployment insurance expired.
Now, let’s be clear: Right now, the bipartisan compromise that was reached on Saturday is the only viable way to prevent a tax hike on January 1st. It’s the only one. All of the leaders in Congress — Democrats and Republicans — say they are committed to making sure we extend the payroll tax cut and unemployment insurance for the entire year. And by the way, this is something I called for months ago.
The issue is, is that the Republican and Democratic leaders of the Senate worked on a one-year deal, made good progress, but determined that they needed more time to reach an agreement. And that’s why they passed an insurance policy — to make sure that taxes don’t go up on January 1st.
In fact, the House Republicans say they don’t dispute the need for a payroll tax cut. What they’re really trying to do, what they’re holding out for, is to wring concessions from Democrats on issues that have nothing to do with the payroll tax cut — issues where the parties fundamentally disagree. So a one-year deal is not the issue; we can and we will come to that agreement, as long as it’s focused on the payroll tax cut and unemployment insurance and not focused on extraneous issues.
The issue right now is this: The clock is ticking; time is running out. And if the House Republicans refuse to vote for the Senate bill, or even allow it to come up for a vote, taxes will go up in 11 days. I saw today that one of the House Republicans referred to what they’re doing as, “high-stakes poker.” He’s right about the stakes, but this is not poker, this is not a game — this shouldn’t be politics as usual. Right now, the recovery is fragile, but it is moving in the right direction. Our failure to do this could have effects not just on families but on the economy as a whole. It’s not a game for the average family, who doesn’t have an extra 1,000 bucks to lose. It’s not a game for somebody who’s out there looking for work right now, and might lose his house if unemployment insurance doesn’t come through. It’s not a game for the millions of Americans who will take a hit when the entire economy grows more slowly because these proposals aren’t extended.
I just got back from a ceremony at Andrews Air Force Base, where we received the flag and the colors that our troops fought under in Iraq, and I met with some of the last men and women to return home from that war. And these Americans, and all Americans who serve, are the embodiment of courage and selflessness and patriotism, and when they fight together, and sometimes die together, they don’t know and they certainly don’t care who’s a Democrat and who’s a Republican and how somebody is doing in the polls and how this might play in the spin room. They work as a team, and they do their job. And they do it for something bigger than themselves.
The people in this town need to learn something from them. We have more important things to worry about than politics right now. We have more important things to worry about than saving face, or figuring out internal caucus politics. We have people who are counting on us to make their lives just a little bit easier, to build an economy where hard work pays off and responsibility is rewarded. And we owe it to them to come together right now and do the right thing. That’s what the Senate did. Democrats and Republicans in the Senate said, we’re going to put our fights on other issues aside and go ahead and do what’s right on something we all agree to. Let’s go ahead and do it. We’ll have time later for the politics; we’ll have time later to have fights around a whole bunch of other issues. Right now, though, we know this is good for the economy — and they went ahead and did the right thing.
I need the Speaker and House Republicans to do the same: Put politics aside, put aside issues where there are fundamental disagreements, and come together on something we agree on. And let’s not play brinksmanship. The American people are weary of it; they’re tired of it. They expect better. I’m calling on the Speaker and the House Republican leadership to bring up the Senate bill for a vote. Give the American people the assurance they need in this holiday season.
Thank you.
END
Ezra Grant you say they are fighting….who are they fighting? they are in no posistion to fight anyone. nither am I. nither are you. you are a buisness owner …thats good so i'm sure you send an extra check in at tax time just like I do. Do you itemize your deductions? and if so why? i would love to see your facts about people that have no access to health care. because that would be a outrage and I thought was ended back in 1867 I honestly didnt think there was anyone in this great country of ours that was denied access to health care or and services. that comes as a complete shock to me! as far as your weakest link statement… there as no posible way to have that happen without brain washing or forced slavery. you cant even make people obay the speed limits…. your asking for something imposible.
Glenn Truitt Well, I thought it was a given that we were talking about FEDERAL taxes, thus no need for me to mention the word FEDERAL. So we agree, Bank of America paid ZERO taxes in 2009.
And as a matter of fact, I do own a business.
As far as the Rush, Palin and Beck are concerned, they were mentioned not because they can change existing tax laws… no… that's not the reason. They were mentioned because they have directly benefited from those existing tax laws, but continue fighting everyone and anyone who think an extra 3% paid by them will help the economy.
And people dying because they have no access to certain benefits like medicaid or medicare or even social security is not a lie my friend, it's a fact. There are many studies out there that supports this horrible fact. Harvard even did a study in 2009 that shows as much as 45000 people die each year because they had no access to some of these benefits.
But it's okay. Somehow, you think America can and will be a stronger nation if we all embrace individualism. I think America will be stronger if we all realize that we are all in this together. Like the old saying goes, we are as strong as our weakest link.
We must strengthen that weakest link, whether it is through fighting poverty or fighting the lack of health care, and then can we truly move on as a nation.
Ezra Grant again you are wrong when you say they paid no taxes. In fact they paid no FEDERAL income taxes because they had NO FEDERAL income! they paid taxes and all members of the board and stock holders paid taxes on their earnings as well. Corperations are made of of people and all pay taxes. I can assume you are not in buisness or you would understand this. I have a small buisness and thats how the law is set up. you must make a profit or your buisness is considered a hobby by the IRS …..but you dont have to make a profit every year. as far as Glenn Beck Rush Limbaugh and Sarah Palin go Maybe i'm confused but what does any of them have to do with tax laws? That would be like me or you …. we have no control but can speak our mind because we live in free country. as far as the programs you say if they are cut out of existence …..just a flat out lie. never ever will that happen… not one chance in a trillion. if you want to know what is the biggest problem with the programs you name it is the DEBT that this counrty holds. and the reason for it is the polititions we have elected over the last 40 years. They have stolen this counrty blind and not want to people to pay for it.
Glenn Truitt In 2009, Bank of America paid ZERO in taxes because of taxes ( and according to Republicans, Bank of America is a Corporation and Corporations "are people my friend."
You're right. Many millionaires will happily agree to paying an extra 3% in taxes. To them, that is a way of being patriotic, you know, giving back to a country that in many ways, made it possible for them to gain their millions. But there's another side of that coin. Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, Sarah Palin – all millionaires have fought tooth and nail against the president's 3% millionaire tax.
And although you've had to make tough decisions and survived, there are folks in this nation who, if the medicare, medicaid and social security are cut out of existence, would literally die. In what we consider the richest nation on earth, this should be unacceptable to us all!
Ezra Grant First off i think you would be hard pressed to find any Billionarie that number one refuses or can not pay 3% in taxes. farthermore i would almost bet you everything i make a year that you would not be able to find one milionaire or Billionarie that pays 0 in taxes. thats a lie and i'm sure you know it as well as I do. As far as making decisions about bills to pay or not pay is everyones private matter… I have made them but i dont think anyone should make it for me. do you know anyone …..thats in every person you know that can not find 20.00 a week? I dont buy it and if that person does exist I would be glad to take over their checkbook and show them how.
Glenn Truitt – Ok, some fair questions – If a billionaire cannot or refuse to pay an additional 3% in taxes, although they directly benefit from hundreds of loopholes most of which allows these millionaires and billionaires to pay ZERO in taxes… is that fair?
And if because of this economy, someone has to decide between paying their rent or a doctor bill, while having important life saving benefits taken away from them. Is it fair to ask them to come up with anothe $1000.00 a year in taxes?
Fair? You tell me.
Ezra Grant we can ask what ever we want…. but who pays it in the end? and one question that has never been answered is what is the "fair share" and how can you say the middle class is paying more then their fair share if it has never been established what that is?
Glenn Truitt – the middle class are already doing more than their fair share. If you think "the country needs the revenue stream," why can't we ask those who really can afford it (like millionaires and billionaires) to do their part?
"The tax cut , which took effect this year, benefits 160 million Americans – $1,000 a year, or nearly $20 a week, for someone making $50,000, as much as $4,272 or $82 a week for a household with two high-paid workers."
>>>>>IMO, $20 a week won't make or break many people or households making $50,000/yr, and those who will lose $82/wk are making very good money to begin with. The country needs the revenue stream more than these individuals.
I hope the American people are paying close attention!
Are you all ready to pay $1000 more a year in taxes all thanks to Republicans?