Senate Republicans block ‘Buffett Rule’ bill

Senate Republicans block ‘Buffett Rule’ bill
By Eric W. Dolan
Monday, April 16, 2012 19:27 EDT -- The Raw Story


The Republicans not only blocked it, they blocked it Big Time !!

All Democrats voted YES except for 1 no-vote.
One Independent was a no-vote also (Lieberman from CT)

All Republicans voted NO except for 2 no-votes.

Vote Counts:
YEAs 51
NAYs 45
Not Voting 4

A CNN poll had a majority of people in favor.

Warren Buffet must be heart broken !!

Republicans in the Senate on Monday blocked legislation that would require those making more than $1 million per year to pay at least 30 percent in federal income taxes.

Democrats fell nine votes short of the 60 votes needed to advance the Paying a Fair Share Act of 2012, which would have enacted the so-called “Buffett Rule” into law.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) described the legislation, which had been touted by President Obama for the past several months, as nothing more than a “political gimmick.”

“The problem is, we’ve got a President who seems more interested in pitting people against each other than he is in actually doing what it takes to face these challenges head on and to solve them in a bipartisan manner,” McConnell said on the Senate floor. “And if anybody had any doubt about that, the President’s relentless focus on this so-called Buffett tax over the past few weeks should have dispelled it.”

What I wonder is why the past Congresses did not take this issue to heart.

They may have stood a better chance with the 111th Congress (2009/2010) and even the 110th (2007/2008).

The 111th Congress Democrats had control of all the committees in both chambers.

I guess they had more important things to do ..... like give away all the money !!


here are the results --> S. 2230 (Paying a Fair Share Act of 2012) vote

reply to post by xuenchen


Is this a surprise to anyone???

Republicans always try to protect the rich...but they have no problem telling people who are on welfare that they are cutting their benefits.

The reason the previous congress didn't do this is because we were in a deep recession and raising taxes on anyone was out of the question.

Originally posted by OutKast Searcher
reply to post by xuenchen

 

Is this a surprise to anyone???

Republicans always try to protect the rich...but they have no problem telling people who are on welfare that they are cutting their benefits.

The reason the previous congress didn't do this is because we were in a deep recession and raising taxes on anyone was out of the question.

Sure about that ?

Are you really that sure ?

The Dems had more important things to do .... Right?

Those pesky Republicans.

What do they have against Jimmy Buffet?

with the repeal of the "bush tax cuts" being an eventuality then; republicans can blame a deficit or a lack of passed budget next fiscal year on being strapped for cash and being in the same boat as everyone else; after giving more trillions to non american nationalized central bank and overseas. when bernake tried to adjust prior to tax season last year by cumulative easing and debt buybacks and republican party stood and watched as they angrily accepted money privately vis proxy of green energy or financial ruin or the perception of financial success; whos going to take the blame if rich romney gets in office and has to explain why they failed to confront their constituents who wanted the "rich" to be taxed greater according to them being perceived as a burden to american society at present.

There are times that I often ponder what would happen if Republicans took complete control of the house, senate, and executive in 2012.

With their platform, if they actually did what they were promoting and were able to get most of it signed into law, i honestly believe that there would be a backlash so great that it would take decades for the GOP to recover.

Could be similar to what happened long before the Reagan Neo Con/supply side/Jude Wanninski Era began...when the GOP finally took the House back after 26 years of Democratic Control.

Quite frankly, for the shape the GOP has continuously left this country in the last 30 years with endless deficits, spending, tax cuts...implementing their Two Santa political strategy....stalling all progress during this time....you would THINK that people would quit voting for them.

Originally posted by xuenchen

Originally posted by OutKast Searcher
reply to post by xuenchen

 

Is this a surprise to anyone???

Republicans always try to protect the rich...but they have no problem telling people who are on welfare that they are cutting their benefits.

The reason the previous congress didn't do this is because we were in a deep recession and raising taxes on anyone was out of the question.

Sure about that ?

Are you really that sure ?

The Dems had more important things to do .... Right?

Indeed... Thank you for noting that and it's a fact the Obama supporters would give anything to change and do everything to cover and suppress from the debate. If these ideas were so good, Obama had *TOTAL* voting control of 2 of the 3 branches of Government right into the midterm. Was this passed? Was this even attempted ONCE? Nope.... Not until the Republicans control a House of Congress do dems write and present a bill they may as well have tailor made JUST to offend Republicans and assure a no vote.

How many more issues will we see raised this year with absolutely NO expectation of passing anything, but to use the defeat as a political weapon? I'm guessing they run every bad idea they've ever had up the flag pole so Republicans can be blamed for voting no on something Pelosi and Reid wouldn't even let come up when they had the control to pass it, unopposed.


Republicans are no better of course... Bush had total control for a part of his years too. It's not like it was used for any good or to DO anything beneficial. Both sides are the same that way.... Nothing gets done while it's possible to actually DO it. Only when it cannot be done will it be tried...because blame is a gift that never goes out of style.

reply to post by xuenchen


This is like asking why the founders didn't address the slavery issue. Why didn't we have social security before the depression? Why didn't we have the war powers act before Vietnam? Why didn't we pass laws before it became such a heated issue?

This is the US congress we're talking about, not the most capable of reactionary forces in the world.

The Buffett Gimmick is just that! An election year Gimmick to win votes. Obama admitted it himself. He was hoping that this BS would be a "nudge" moment to move us in the right direction of heavier taxation according to his viewpoint.

However, three years into his presidency, Obama has not introduced a plan for comprehensive tax reform, easily the most important vehicle for fixing the nation’s finances and boosting long-term economic growth. That's a true solution to our nation's problem. Pointing fingers, name calling and class warfare will accomplish nothing.

The Buffett Rule was just a glaring example of Obama's populist admin. because it polled well. I would love to see Obama roll up his sleeves and actually get to work in the oval office to get the ball rolling on substantive tax reform that will benefit the entire nation. Enough of the GD carnival Barking by Obama as he works the guess your weight booth on the boardwalk.

This will never pass..

Just a way to stir up
their voter base..

Play the class warfare
card all on emotions
of people against the people
the have;s and the have nots

7 out of 10 americans favored this

obama knew it would fail, this is campaign fodder

when he campaigns, he will throw this at them

and it will stick

I'm sick of seeing these democrats on TV crying about fairness.

This Buffett rule is so full of loopholes there's nothing here but lip service to idiots.

It's not like even if it did work as advertised it'd accomplish anything for the working class or the poor.

If every dem crying about "fairness" actually pushed for a flat tax in place of the mess that is the tax code we could get something done.

Somehow though they figure another chapter of tax codes full of loopholes is more fair than a flat tax. Go figure.

God! Why don't those darn Democrats leave the rich people alone! LEAVE THEM ALONE, I'm serious!

On a serious note, the way some of you people protect the rich people paying a lower % in tax then the majority of us middle class Americans, you'd think you were part of that rich elite group.