HEY, THE KAMIKAZES DID IT, THE JIHADISTS DO IT, SO WHY NOT DEMS? – AT 9:33 A.M. ET:  Are Democrats into suicide?  It sometimes appears so.  From The Hill:

House Democrats are casting doubt on one of President Obama’s top campaign promises by hedging on whether to permanently extend the tax cuts on families making less than $250,000 annually and individuals making less than $200,000.

The tax breaks — passed nearly a decade ago at the urging of President George W. Bush and Republicans in Congress — are set to expire at the end of the year.

While the White House has pushed for making the middle-class tax cuts permanent, Democrats in the House are looking at other options, including temporary extensions that would last more than a year, according to an aide to House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.).
Hoyer and Democrats have said they’ll definitely extend the middle-class tax breaks through next year.

“We ought to have no increase in taxes on middle-income working Americans,” Hoyer said Friday. “Clearly, at a time of recession, we want to make sure that working people have the ability to support themselves.”

A temporary extension of the middle-class breaks would leave Obama open to Republican attacks that he broke his word on taxes if he runs for reelection in 2012.

COMMENT:  Do these people understand the phrase, "Cut spending"?  It seems to be an emotional thing with them, and I know of no medication that can cure the problem. 

If the Democrats effectively raise taxes, and the recession worsens, their 2012 – which some cultures believe is the year the world will end – will be the year their party ends.  Look, we'll take half a loaf.

July 28, 2010