Poll: Will the US cut spending?

[M Paquette]

Quote:

Originally Posted by REWahoo By far, most think only minor changes/cuts will be made and it looks like placing some limits on earmarks may be the first minor "belt tightening" legislation to be enacted. [/URL]

I won't start doing a 'happy dance' until I see the language. I have this horrible feeling it will be effectively something like "Earmarks are strongly discouraged, and should not be placed on bills unless the Senator thinks they are really really important."

Paying back campaign contributors is really, really important.

[ERD50]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelB An increase in marginal rates will flow through almost entirely because they are on income that is already being reported. I don't see how this relates to the estate tax discussion.

I think you underestimate the ability, desire and flexibility of some people to utilize certain provisions of the tax code. Or simply take their money elsewhere. The higher the tax rates, the more motivated they are. It's a matter of degrees, maybe the degree is insignificant, but it isn't a static situation.

Quote:

Why not put aside the grammar policing and focus on the issues?

Yeah, nit-picky - I was in a little bit of a bad mood. But it does help if a poster actually puts a little effort into their posts. It builds after a while, esp when we just get a link with no content at all. That's a pet peeve of mine. Give me a clue before I click, what are you saying, etc? (that's a general 'you')

-ERD50

[keegs]

Quote:

Originally Posted by REWahoo Oh, and for the four of you who at this point voted you expect 'significant cuts', I offer this as evidence you might be a bit too optimistic NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- When House Democrats return to Washington on Monday, a top priority will be putting a $250 dollar check in the mail to 58 million Social Security recipients. Democrats plan to vote early in the lame-duck session on a bill that would provide Social Security recipients with a one-time payment, according to the office of Earl Pomeroy, a Democrat from North Dakota who authored the legislation. The bill -- with a total cost of roughly $14 billion -- is designed to make up for another year without an increase in Social Security benefits.

The republican campaign proposals include making the bush tax cuts permanent for the top 2% of earners at a cost of $700 billion over 10 years. They propose a roll back in the cuts to Medicare Advantage plans at a cost of $500 billion over ten years. They're calling for a roll back of the new tax on high end "Cadillac" insurance plans at a cost of $150 billion over ten years....even a rollback of the cuts in subsidies to the scooter store.

[M Paquette]

Quote:

Originally Posted by keegs even a rollback of the cuts in subsidies to the scooter store.

And they said the campaign contributions were a waste of money! Hah! "Free" scooters for everyone!

[REWahoo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by M Paquette "Free" scooters for everyone!

I can see it now: NASSR* racing will be all the rage

*National Association for Stock Scooter Racing.

[youbet]

Quote:

Originally Posted by keegs The republican campaign proposals include making the bush tax cuts permanent for the top 2% of earners

I don't think that's correct keegs. I have an article in front of me that says the Republicans want to make the Bush tax cuts permanent for 100% of the earners, not just the top 2%.

It would be for all of us. Low earners, middle earners, top earners, the whole bunch.