Americans want to fix the deficit by cutting spending and taxes? Not so fast.

[Mercy Not Sacrifice]

When presented with individual options, this is what a recent poll shows that Americans want:



BTW, I was glad to see the second question--elimination of the FICA tax ceiling--included. I think that there's a real chance that doing so could strongly support Social Security's coffers, if not stabilize it entirely. And I would just love to see Republicans come out against extending the Bush tax cuts if they only do so for the lowest 95% of American earners (whose combined wealth is less than the richest 1%).

Bottom line--once individual proposals for cutting the deficit emerge, suddenly the Democratic positions look a lot more supported. The November election may well not be the Republican landslide that the prognosticators are predicting and Fox "News" is supporting.

[Alceste]

Originally Posted by Mercy Not Sacrifice

When presented with individual options, this is what a recent poll shows that Americans want:

BTW, I was glad to see the second question--elimination of the FICA tax ceiling--included. I think that there's a real chance that doing so could strongly support Social Security's coffers, if not stabilize it entirely. And I would just love to see Republicans come out against extending the Bush tax cuts if they only do so for the lowest 95% of American earners (whose combined wealth is less than the richest 1%).

Bottom line--once individual proposals for cutting the deficit emerge, suddenly the Democratic positions look a lot more supported. The November election may well not be the Republican landslide that the prognosticators are predicting and Fox "News" is supporting.

Especially not now that so many "normal" Republican candidates have lost their primaries to extremist, conspiracy theorizing loons like Rand Paul and Sharron Angle. The Democrats have pretty much given the finger to their base, which will cost them a lot of supporter enthusiasm, but the Republicans are doing a better at making themselves look incompetent than the Democrats could ever do.

[Mercy Not Sacrifice]

Originally Posted by Alceste

Especially not now that so many "normal" Republican candidates have lost their primaries to extremist, conspiracy theorizing loons like Rand Paul and Sharron Angle. The Democrats have pretty much given the finger to their base, which will cost them a lot of supporter enthusiasm, but the Republicans are doing a better at making themselves look incompetent than the Democrats could ever do.

I think the Democrats have done at least somewhat more this cycle than some of us give them credit for. However, I definitely agree with you about the crazy Republicans. In addition to their craziness, their repeated dodging of specifics on how they would address their complaints, such as how to fix the deficit, what alternatives they have for health care, and how to speed up economic recovery, may well cause some people to realize that they are indeed the Party of No(thing).

[angellous_evangellous]

Originally Posted by Mercy Not Sacrifice

... they are indeed the Party of No(thing).

Yep. The GOP is falling apart, because their core values have failed.

I just hope that people will remember what Bush did - and the next Republican president will pick up where he left off.

[Alceste]

Originally Posted by Mercy Not Sacrifice

I think the Democrats have done at least somewhat more this cycle than some of us give them credit for. However, I definitely agree with you about the crazy Republicans. In addition to their craziness, their repeated dodging of specifics on how they would address their complaints, such as how to fix the deficit, what alternatives they have for health care, and how to speed up economic recovery, may well cause some people to realize that they are indeed the Party of No(thing).

Oh I credit the dems for tackling some big important issues - financial reform and health care, but for all the hooplah and hysteria the changes they've managed to make have been pretty minimal and limp-wristed. It's as if it's only a publicity stunt or something. I don't know if it's because they want to be seen as the party of reasonable compromise or because they simply have no balls. The Republicans who are left will fight everything they try to do - even providing health care for the heroes who dug through the rubble after 9-11 and now suffer chronic respiratory problems as a result. So why not do a few things that both have balls and appeal to a majority of American people? (*cough* universal health care *cough*).