Rep. Paul Ryan (R., Wis.) tells NRO he likes the tax deal. “All things considered, I think it’s the best deal we were going to get,” he says. “It’s clearly not a good as we would’ve wanted, but far better than the alternative route.”
He stressed the importance of not decoupling the tax rates for upper-income earners, and thus rejecting the “class-warfare economic doctrine” that is harmful to economic growth.
He says the two-year extension was expected, and while he would much rather have seen a permanent arrangement, it’s still a good start. Ryan says he is ready to lead a debate over taxes starting in 2012. “I see this as a great way to set the stage for fundamental tax reform in 2013,” he says.
I'm sorry, but Conservatives do not like the "deal"- man. I feel like going on one of those rapid-fire Dennis Hopper rants from Apocolpse Now. Why didn't the "leadership" aim higher? The very least should have had the unemployment paid for, did we not just win an enormous election?
What in God's name are Conservatives so scared of? Call his bluff: either he wrecks the economy or he doesn't.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseOf all people I would have expected Ryan to be warning the obvious: This deal lowers taxes and increases spending. In other words, a compromise is worse than either the full-fledged liberal or the full-fledged conservative preference in terms of deficit reduction.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseRight on, MJS. The problem is these guys on both sides seem to think that political wins are more important than actually doing what is right. I hate all this talk about the "base" and "philospical differences." We're Conservatives because it works; not because we have an ideology bent. All Obama wanted to talk about today was this being a "long game" and not a short one. This isn't a game, its real life. I just wish Republicans would get out of the Beltway media market for 10 seconds and start doing what we need done, like paying for this stuff now so my infant son isn't working his whole life to pay taxes.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseIn some ways, I think MJS makes a lot of sense. Who would have been harmed by a poor economy? Obama would have. This deal, in a sense, makes it easier for him to win reelection in 2012, because if the economy is good, stupid voters will credit him for it, instead of a tax arrangement the Republicans backed.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseEveryone should remember that Republicans simply don't have the numbers to achieve perfect legislation. This is compromise, so there has to be some give. As to spending, wait for Ryan to write his first budget before you give up.
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