The American Spectator : The Barack Obama Participation Trophy

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The Tax and Spend Spectator

The Barack Obama Participation Trophy

By Jeffrey Lord on 1.3.13 @ 6:09AM

Obama raises taxes on middle class as Boehner, McConnell sign on.

(Page 3 of 4)

They led their respective House and Senate GOP caucuses to believe that if they didn’t play — they would get the blame for the consequences. That what would happen if they didn’t play was too horrendous to even think of. They would be accused in the liberal media. They would be tried. They would be found wanting.

So… they caved. In avoiding the fiscal cliff, led with flags flying by Speaker Boehner, those 85 GOP House members went over the credibility cliff. Including — of all people — Congressman Paul Ryan. The headlong flight from blame necessitating a flight from principle as well.

In short, these House and Senate members let themselves be bullied by the president and his media cronies into believing that they would get the blame for what came next.

But, of course, the question. What does come next? By going along with the president, what does this Obama Participation Trophy win the GOP?

The Wall Street Journal was kind enough to add up a few of the tax increase gems from both the fiscal cliff legislation passed on New Year’s Day as well as the Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare.

Let’s start with the Obama tax increase on the middle class. Otherwise known as: The Payroll Tax

So. You really believed this was all about taxing the “rich”, did you? Congratulations. You didn’t even know your name had been changed to “Donald Trump” did you? Too bad. As noted in USA Today:

About 77% of American households will face higher federal taxes in 2013 under the agreement negotiated between President Obama and Senate Republicans, estimates the Tax Policy Center, a nonpartisan Washington research group.

That’s because even though just 1% of households will pay higher income taxes, an increase in federal payroll taxes will hit nearly every wage earner, the Tax Policy Center says.

Got that? If you are out there earning a paycheck, you are about to be tagged with a tax increase that comes straight out of your paycheck to the tune of 2%. Which is to say, a hike from the 10.4% of 2012 to 12.4% in 2013.

Congratulations Speaker Boehner and Senator McConnell! You have signed on to not only a veto of economic growth, you have agreed to a tax on the middle class.

Then again, why the surprise?

This is precisely what common sense, not to mention experience with moderate Republicans whose main objective is placating liberal critics rather than sticking with principle, dictates.

Taxing the rich is never enough. The real money in America comes from the great American middle class. And so Obama, behind closed doors with John Boehner and Mitch McConnell, behaved like the liberal he is.

He taxed the middle class. And out of fear, Boehner and McConnell went along. They wanted that Participation Trophy from Obama and the national media.

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About the Author

Jeffrey Lord is a former Reagan White House political director and author. He writes from Pennsylvania at jlpa1@aol.com.

Letter to the Editor View all comments (62) | Leave a comment Leave a comment

spike59| 1.3.13 @ 6:19AM

Valela’s statement of claim states: “When Christopher was advised of his termination by my wife and I, he vowed never to play the game he loved since childhood. And, moreover, his misguided group of defendants demoralized my wife and I, whom had gone well beyond the call of duty as parents in support of the Toronto Avalanche hockey team for two seasons.”
=============================
so, poor widdle oogums is giving up hockey? sounds like the coaches did him a favor; now he has all kinds of free time to explore pursuits at which he might NOT suck

Appleby| 1.3.13 @ 7:26AM

The Toronto Red Star is a very liberal paper, by the way. And Canada is a very socialist country in which all animals are equal, or else. The funny thing is the millionaire players in the NHL are on strike, and the billionaire owners have locked them out, and none of them are playing hockey, and none of us actually care. I'm sure these poor little non-hockey-players feel a kinship with Sidney Crosby, who is not being paid his $100,000,000 salary which he bawls is JUST.NOT.ENOUGH. Minimum wage in the NHL is $600,000 per year. That's the real reason for the lawsuit.

TLP| 1.3.13 @ 11:50AM

NOBODY cares about Hockey.

HOCKEY SUCKS!

Other than that, what's up with you, this mornin?

Ronsch| 1.3.13 @ 12:36PM

YAY!!!!! The mods let you out of the penalty box!!!

Welcome back!!!!!!

TLP| 1.3.13 @ 1:23PM

Thanks, Ronsch.

Contest, tomorrow.

TLP| 1.3.13 @ 4:45PM

Mr. Bowman's House.

Figure it out.

You won't be disappointed.

Occam's Tool| 1.3.13 @ 9:37PM

TLP: I'm going to a Division I Hockey Game on Saturday. It's 15 minutes from my house, and there ain't no pro teams or other Div I teams in this town. Besides, the kids like the pretzels and violence.

But, otherwise, Hockey ain't much compared to a pro baseball game.

Occam's Tool| 1.3.13 @ 9:39PM

Used to be able to go to Skokie, park the car nice and easy, take the Swift to Howard, and thence to Wrigley for a weekend day game, and go home safely after the game. Get a pizza at my Cousin's place in Skokie, and there you are.

My Cuz is dead, the Cubs play at night, I no longer live in Illinois, so I got to take what I can get.

Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 1.3.13 @ 6:21AM

"Opinions Vary." From Dalton in Road House (Played by Patrick Swayze)

I think the above article shows how the Republicans fail to play politics in deference to policy and politics is where the rubber hits the road.

First, it was not a loss for Boehner as portrayed just about everywhere in the press. His Plan B forced the Senate to act and ended up making Harry Reid play the fool while McConnell took over.

What occurred?

The Bush Tax cuts are permanent now for 99% of the public. The AMT is out of the picture and forever. Just these two items alone looked all but impossible just several months ago.

For the last ten years the Democrats complained about the Bush Tax cuts and now they are downright giddy about it.

The Republicans are missing the opportunity
here to take the credit. They made it happen. But they will continue to get hammered if they put losing policies over prudent politics.

This was a big win for the Republicans and the Tea Party. Without their history in politics the last few years it could have easily gone the other way.

Russel| 1.3.13 @ 7:40AM

Regardless you are right , the problem still lies with Boner / McDuck . Refusing to get up before the citizenry and talk down the socialist's . If there is credit to be had , we'll never hear from them about it . They are scared stiff of negative press spinnning . I'm as ready as ever to kick their sorry ass's to the curb . Look , who made " Bush tax cuts " stick ? . Who refused to repudiate that term ? . If the public is steamrolled with socialist catch phrases and jargon , they'll believe it . It worked on us once again and we got Dumbo four more years . We need leaders who'll take these bastards by the balls , like say Newt .

Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 1.3.13 @ 7:43AM

They both need to put their egos aside and go to debating/speaking coaches. I agree they have poor communication skills to broadcast the win.

Russel| 1.3.13 @ 8:34AM

I left out an important preposition - IF . I didn't say it was a win . No one else is . My taxes going up are not a win . They could have explained to everyone who'd listen why " Bush tax cuts " are nothing but a slight reduction in projected spending increases , ie , explain baseline budgeting , which should be outlawed . They dropped the ball for not demanding spending cuts first , and not get duped like Mr. Reagan did . They could have assured us that if the government can't run on what it gets , too bad . And by the way , folks , the country won't fall into an abyss . Of course the socialist's are " giddy " , because they simply traded a little worn out ' cut ' for a huge tax increase , which will pay out from now on . That one slight win for the people has been stuck in their craw for eight years . Now look what's ahead -- another round of ' negotiating ' over the debt ceiling . It should have been shoved down their throat last time . Get new blood in there and fast .

TLP| 1.3.13 @ 1:27PM

What's a Preposition?

Drunken Sailor| 1.3.13 @ 2:23PM

Purp Sunscreen

Drunken Sailor| 1.3.13 @ 4:06PM

sorry, mis read that to be Preperation and I must have imagined the H.

Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 1.3.13 @ 2:46PM

If defined:
It can be either a conjunction that introduces a condition a clause, or a noun. Examples:

Conjunction: We can go for a hike if it doesn't rain.

Noun: The one if will be that the funding is available.

TLP| 1.3.13 @ 4:49PM

What's a Conjunction?

SUBVET| 1.3.13 @ 11:34AM

Newt...........10-4

Albert Constantine Jr.| 1.3.13 @ 9:25AM

" 'Opinions Vary.' From Dalton in Road House (Played by Patrick Swayze)"

I believe the more cogent quote from this character might have been "Pain don't hurt", or the GOP could buy metaphorical junkers with trunk loads of spare tires to survive the nightly vandalism by the angry left and press, while preserving the vintage conservatively principled ride intact.

SUBVET| 1.3.13 @ 11:38AM

Jr..........more cogent quote:

"Load the Wagon the Mule is Blind".....Smokey Yunick

TLP| 1.3.13 @ 11:53AM

Ya know. I was thinking about a Contest, tomorrow.

I've been shopping around, and Mr. Bowman's Vacant Lot of a Column, looks like we should be able to get it for practically nothing.

Whatta ya say?

You in?

Albert Constantine Jr.| 1.3.13 @ 1:57PM

Do you think there is interest for such a thing?

TLP| 1.3.13 @ 4:54PM

Why do you ask?

Are you "Disinterested"?

I've been following along with the goings on, around here, from my room in Purgatory, and I've noticed that you've been Waxing Eloquently with your Poems almost every day.

If nobody comes?

Nobody comes.

Hey. You never know.

No skin off my back.

Occam's Tool| 1.3.13 @ 9:34PM

Shore.

Well, a movie showing FDR getting a handjob or a blowjob doesn't have much real interest (that's actually what happened in the film; don't ban me...check out Debbie Sclussel's review).

Let's use it for something fun. Man, I missed you, Tim.

Occam's Tool| 1.3.13 @ 9:40PM

Schlussel. She is a better movie reviewer than Mr. Bowman.

Albert Constantine Jr.| 1.3.13 @ 12:41PM

Smokey would have turned the old hoopties Dalton was buying into first rate racing machines, instead of cheap targets for angry ejected bar customers, though.

SUBVET| 1.3.13 @ 1:16PM

Outside of the fact that Smokey was ahead of his time in reading about his life the thing that stood out was his hatred for the "two Bill's" in his life.....Clinton and France.

Need I say more

Job| 1.3.13 @ 7:04AM

as for the anology: first off good programs have C and D hockey teams for kids not just the A and B squads. to sue just gives the kid the wrong whiney message. when you get cut you work harder and next year you make it.

and taxes go up with inflation.

sheesh just like in the cartoon the giant who owns the goose who lays golden eggs is holding it by the neck and demanding for it to lay them faster.

TLP| 1.3.13 @ 1:29PM

Contest, tomorrow.

CJW| 1.3.13 @ 8:00AM

A majority of the voters, especially high income voters, voted for Obama and for Dem senators. It is a given that Democrats will raise taxes. So the voters are getting what they voted for. What is the surprise?

vtwin| 1.3.13 @ 11:23AM

And a majority of voters voted for Democratic candidates for the House. If not for gerrymandering the Republicans would have lost the control of the House.

http://www.motherjones.com/pol.....tion-chart

The Bush income tax rates were made permanent for over 99% of tax payers. So why all the complaints from conservatives?

TLP| 1.3.13 @ 1:42PM

And, what has been FIXED?

I realize how Stupid you are, but I'll ask you anyway.

How does Raising Taxes on "The Rich" cure ANY of our Economic woes?

Your Boy says that this will help us with our Deficits. HIS DEFICITS.

Does ANYONE think that President Print More Money will propose anything less than a TRILLION plus, Spending Bill?

We've gone from $9 Trillion in Debt, to $16 Trillion, and now he wants to Raise the Debt Ceiling, again.

He wants ANOTHER Shovel Ready Infrastructure Jobs Stimulus Package. He wants to spend MORE.

He just gave Billion$ to his Uber Rich Hollywood Buddies. Billion$ to GE, Billion$ to Green Energy Boondoggles owned by his Biggest Donours, and he will GUT DEFENCE to the bone, no matter what happens.

Higher Death Taxes, Higher Capital Gains Taxes, Higher Medical Costs, and a Tsunami of American Companies leaving for Greener Pastures in Asia.

So, tell us, Genius............why are you touching yourself over this?

Pecos Pete| 1.3.13 @ 2:37PM

Seven “firsts” for the U.S. economy courtesy of King O:

1. All-time record annual average gas price: In 2012, the average cost of a gallon of gas eclipsed the previous record by nine cents, bringing the annual average to $3.60.

2. All-time record food stamp participation: As of last month, for the first time in American history, 47,710,324 individuals -- roughly one out of every seven people living in the United States -- now receive food stamps.

3. All-time high youth unemployment: In the last four years, average youth unemployment eclipsed the previous record rising to 17.5% -- the highest ever in recorded U.S. history.

Pecos Pete| 1.3.13 @ 2:38PM

4. All-time high number of Americans no longer in the labor force: Never before in U.S. history have so many been sidelined from the workforce. Today, a record 88,921,000 Americans are no longer a part of the U.S. labor force.

5. All-time record number of Americans collecting disability: Medical advancements and technological innovations have increased life expectancy and made workplaces safer. Still, the number of Americans collecting Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) has skyrocketed in the last four years. Today, a record 8,827,795 individuals collect a disability check averaging $1,130.34 a month.

6. All-time record number of Americans living in poverty: According to the U.S. Census Bureau, a record 46.2 million people in America are living in poverty, the highest number in the 53 years that the Census Bureau has collected the figure.

7. All-time record U.S. debt: The last four years have exploded the U.S. debt to levels never seen before in American history. Presently, the United States is $16,400,000,000,000 in debt.

Jack London| 1.3.13 @ 4:30PM

And just what would McCain have done to do better after inheriting the worst economy since the great depression? It will take a good ten years I'd say to get us back to major prosperity in a new global economy and we may have to redefine what prosperity looks like.

But even so there are good signs now. If the administration were allowed to intervene more in the housing market we'd come out of this much faster.

And by the way, Obama can do nothing about gas prices.

TLP| 1.3.13 @ 4:57PM

Nobody knows, do they, Genius?

We do know what this guy has done.

Your non-question, only confirms your Stupidity.

Jeff| 1.3.13 @ 6:39PM

Jack London...

Hello? The reason for "the worst economy since the depression" is precisely BECAUSE government intervened in the housing market....Fannie, Freddie etc. We need more of that? Um...no. No. No. No. No.

Pecos Pete| 1.3.13 @ 7:12PM

Jack: King O can do nothing about gas prices. Is that what you wrote? Yep, twas indeed.

1. Allow refineries to produce gasoline, not corn alcohol.

2. Allow drillers to drill on public lands.

3. Approve the Keystone Pipeline.

4. Reduce or eliminate excessive regulation of refineries and oil/gas producers.

That's 4 for starters, things that King O could do, but won't.

JD| 1.3.13 @ 8:11PM

Jack grossly misunderstands where we are or how we got here and thinks that more of what went wrong is the way to solve the problem, and he wants to know what McCain would have done better?

Simply NOT moving further Left would be better!

Occam's Tool| 1.3.13 @ 9:31PM

Open up drilling. Increase the number of refineries (that is the major bottleneck to gas production, you know). Cut taxes for everyone down to Reagan levels.

That would have reversed things in 18 months.

spike59| 1.4.13 @ 6:04AM

'And by the way, Obama can do nothing about rebuilding America, defending our values, keeping us from Greece-like decline, or actually displaying even a modicum of competence'
----------------------------------
there, Jackie...fixed it for ya

Stan Redmond| 1.4.13 @ 1:01PM

WOW!!! Collosal ignorance. The community reinvestment act didn't intervene in the housing market, which by the way during the GE Bush was investigated but the democrats screamed "That's Racist" and shut down hearings? The fed buying all the junk mortgages isn't intervening in the housing market. HUD programs and section 8 welfare housing subsidies aren't intervening in the housing market?
For 8 years of GW Bush's presidency we heard liberals cry and scream about how he is raising gas prices for his rich oil buddies. Were all those liberals wrong?

There is study after study showing FDRs programs prolonged the depression.

Only a liberal would lower standards and call that a new definition of prosperity.

Pecos Pete| 1.3.13 @ 9:10AM

A new Congress today at noon.

Will the the new Congress cut or reduce the pork in the "Sandy" relief bill? IMHO, nope.

Will the new Congress cave on the national debt cap? IMHO, yep.

Will the new Congress reduce spending either through allowing sequestration to proceed or by voting to reduce spending in a Constitutionally correct and lawful budget? IMHO, nope.

Is Congress full of dupes and dopes? IMHO, yep.

BBT!

Von Mises Jr| 1.3.13 @ 10:07AM

The $60B Sandy aid package is 85% for political slush funds and public employees, and 15% aid to people whom had their houses washed away. People in NY and NJ are still displaced and fighting with insurance companies about what is and what is not covered. I even heard a story of an insurance agent whom did not have flood insurance. His house is in the bay.
While I am not advocating that government should be bailing out homeowners that built or bought houses on the beach, the irony is that the DC corrupt-o-crats are pulling a hoist of taxpayer money in the name of people that will get some $9B of the $60B in so-called relief funds.
The only redeeming quality is that these jackals vote 2-1 for Obama and the Democrats. So perhaps there is justice after all.

TLP| 1.3.13 @ 1:43PM

BBMe!

Contest, tomorrow at Mr. Bowman's House.

Nancy in NC| 1.3.13 @ 9:50AM

The problem as I see it is no one in DC has convictions or principles. Thats why Romney lost. He couldn't articulate conservative principles and sounded too much like Ozero. (Many voted for the devil they already knew.) Paul Ryna could articulate the principles but apparently he doesn't really believe them either as he sold out in this deal.

I am sick of DC, politicians and politics. Some may ask then why am I even here. I do care about my country and my grandchildren. Appears both are royally screwed.

sickofit5| 1.3.13 @ 10:16AM

Spot on Nancy. Although MSM plays a role and has impact on the message, republicans/conservatives are completely inept when it comes to explaining their stance on the issues. They allow the socialist party to define them and their positions and are constantly on the defense.

SUBVET| 1.3.13 @ 11:49AM

Nancy,

I am bored with politics, refuse to pay attention to the news and am watching only True Crime TV shows and Turner Classic Movies these days. With the Democrats controlling the Senate and presidency, nothing good can possibily come out of Washington for at least another two years.

Ann Coulter

They are succeeding in the game of CONTROL they are wearing the electorate out....."what's the use".

Tim we need your input.................

TLP| 1.3.13 @ 1:54PM

You got it.

I don't know what to say that would assuage Nancy's dilemma. There's a reason that people hold Politicians below Used Car Salesmen on the List of people you can trust.

Power Corrupts, and the Pursuit of Mammon is the root of all Evil. When you combine the two, you get the United States Congress.

Persia, Babylon, Athens, Carthage, Rome, the British Empire. All of them have come and gone. Such is the way with Empires.

"When the people realize that they can vote themselves Money, it's over."

"A Republic, Madame. If you can keep it."

"Democracy is the worst form of Government, except for all the others."

I hope that helps.

cicero| 1.3.13 @ 9:56AM

What a joke! Social Security is going broke, so why is the reimposition of the 2% such a bad idea? This whole debate was spun exactly the way the liberals wanted it. They calledd for higher taxes on the 1%, which amounted to a measley 2%. Those to be taxed knew it for the ruse it was, and supported Obama and the Dems with loads of cash. In return, they got tax breaks for their money machines. The Repubs fell for it hook, line, and sinker, spending all of their time trying to protect the guys that funded the Dems.

All along, the real fight should have been about spending. We are not going over any cliff because of our tax rates - except for the fact that the total tax take now exceeds 42% - but rather because we are spending ourselves into bankruptcy. The $1 in new taxes is really no big deal in the overall scheme of things. The $41 in additional spending is.

Russel| 1.3.13 @ 10:29AM

Yep , it's the spending . They are spendaholics . Zero and co. spends anyone elses money like there's no tomarrow . Screw your kids !!. I'm burning through nine million on a vacation , and screw your kids !!.

Frank Drackman| 1.3.13 @ 10:30AM

Hey at least the Chin Holiday expired, and McConnell can get his back...
Seriously, Diane Feinstein would kick Boehner's and McConnell's asses and not even break a nail...

Frank

Occam's Tool| 1.3.13 @ 9:30PM

Yes and that is sad, Frank. I miss Tom DeLay. We need a leader named "The Hammer" again. Conservative, pro-fiscal Conservatism, pro-adoption, more pro-Israel than Bibi, pro-American. I MISS Tom.

Louis Jenkins| 1.3.13 @ 10:45AM

Bottom line, the debate raged on about the bad old Republicans sending the nation over a physical cliff. While the 151 good guys held the line, Boehner cried and voted (with his Judas members) in the affirmative. The rest is history. How long will those few Republicans keep rolling over and playing dead? They've had their chance and been shown wanting, several times over. What's next? The gun deal is a gimme as well. Cutting spending-a gimme too. Obama and his ilk will get what they want, and the Republicans will be 'also rans'. Disgusting.

rjh| 1.3.13 @ 12:14PM

Not to quibble and certainly not to defend the Republicans' behavior, but the "temporary" reduction in the payroll tax was always going to expire. It was just another gimmick that the Republicans fell for which was intended to be used against them just as it has been.

fmm| 1.3.13 @ 12:38PM

Paul Ryan, call home, you need Mom to give you a spanking.

RCV| 1.3.13 @ 6:55PM

Ryan knows who's running the House - Boehner was just reelected Speaker - and doesn't want to lose his power positions. He's not going to let principle stand in the way of his ambitions, as he made quite clear as Romney's running mate.

Occam's Tool| 1.3.13 @ 9:28PM

RCV: I think you pegged this one. Assuming politicians are slimy worms is usually accurate.

JD| 1.3.13 @ 7:14PM

Twelve years ago, Clinton's tax hikes were partially undone, and for twelve years Democrats have talked about "letting tax cuts expire." As a reminder, the reason the Bush rates were set to expire after 10 years was that Democratic filibusters prevented them from being made permanent at the outset.

Yet now when Obama's two-year reduction in the payroll tax (which made Social Security VERY insolvent) is being allowed to expire, the world over is calling it a "big tax hike".

Double standard? Of course. Do Democrats notice? Not a chance.

Occam's Tool| 1.3.13 @ 9:27PM

I make $350,000/yr. (Roughly; it wobbles depending upon the intensity of my call)

At any rate, my income tax rate did not go up, and my payroll tax rate as a percentage of my total income went up 0.67% (2/3 of 1%). For my nurses, their taxes went up 2%, as their incomes are entirely covered.

Good job avoiding taxing the middle class, guys. I mean, I'm happy for me personally as these things go, but the damn thing is moronic. Concur with the estimable Mr. Lord.

air max en france | 1.4.13 @ 1:22AM

What was Obama doing that set off such a hot reaction from all those House Republicans?

Stan Redmond| 1.4.13 @ 1:05PM

Probably boarding airforce one to head back to his, now, 11 million dollar vacation.

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