mame
Well-Known Member
So the Republicans blocked a $60 Billion infrastructure bill on the grounds that it is paid for with a .7% surtax on millionaires, which makes this a budget neutral bill. Republicans and Democrats have successfully passed infrastructure bills time and time again for decades - but once again the hyper-partisan pledge of "no new taxes" is stopping progress. Cool.
This isn't over either; The Democrats will likely offer a bill that closes corporate loopholes and instead offer a renewal (and possible expansion, if we're lucky) of the payroll tax cut. Forcing Republicans to side with unpopular corporate loopholes.
How will the Republicans be percieved by American voters if they continue with this idealogically-charged obstructionism? Pretty much every poll I've seen shows broad support for closing tax loopholes - even among registered Republicans. Many polls also show broad support for tax increases on the very richest Americans(those making $1 million or more, which is ~350,000 taxpayers), and even nearly half of registered Republicans also support the idea. An interesting - but not surprising - statistic found is that among Republicans, over 70% of Tea Party Republicans are against any tax increases while 52% of non-tea party Republicans support tax increases. This seems to be painting a picture in which the current Republican party is too partisan for most of the country. Does this spell disaster for the Republicans? Seems so.
Furthermore, this interesting and lengthy NYTimes article attempts to model Obama's chances of re-election.. Worth the read imo. The article takes into account presidential approval ratings, economic performance in the US, and percieved partisanship (giving credit for moderates being more electable than partisans). Basically, this article ends up arguing that a moderate Republican has the best chance at beating Obama. It seems Romney still has a very good chance to win the nomination, but anyone else is an underdog(unless the economy gets worse).
My prediction? Republican obstructionism and extremism will cost them them a very winnable election for the White House.
Thoughts?
This isn't over either; The Democrats will likely offer a bill that closes corporate loopholes and instead offer a renewal (and possible expansion, if we're lucky) of the payroll tax cut. Forcing Republicans to side with unpopular corporate loopholes.
How will the Republicans be percieved by American voters if they continue with this idealogically-charged obstructionism? Pretty much every poll I've seen shows broad support for closing tax loopholes - even among registered Republicans. Many polls also show broad support for tax increases on the very richest Americans(those making $1 million or more, which is ~350,000 taxpayers), and even nearly half of registered Republicans also support the idea. An interesting - but not surprising - statistic found is that among Republicans, over 70% of Tea Party Republicans are against any tax increases while 52% of non-tea party Republicans support tax increases. This seems to be painting a picture in which the current Republican party is too partisan for most of the country. Does this spell disaster for the Republicans? Seems so.
Furthermore, this interesting and lengthy NYTimes article attempts to model Obama's chances of re-election.. Worth the read imo. The article takes into account presidential approval ratings, economic performance in the US, and percieved partisanship (giving credit for moderates being more electable than partisans). Basically, this article ends up arguing that a moderate Republican has the best chance at beating Obama. It seems Romney still has a very good chance to win the nomination, but anyone else is an underdog(unless the economy gets worse).
My prediction? Republican obstructionism and extremism will cost them them a very winnable election for the White House.
Thoughts?
