For my latest Salon column, a poem:
‘Twas the night before the fiscal cliff, and all through the Senate and House
Not a Republican was budging, not even an ounce.
Back from vacation the President came
In hopes that Republicans might now act sane.The cowardly Democrats put it all on the table
Like cuts to the elderly, poor and disabled.
So Republicans, thinking their ploy was a score,
Figured why not hold out until Democrats cut more!
You can read the entire piece here. I think you’ll enjoy it!
Sometimes I agree with Ann Coulter. This is one of those moments. She admitted recently that Republicans have to let go of some of their sacred cows since they lost the election — and risk losing any influence with the public going forward. From my latest column:
Americans support gay rights and increasingly believe that same sex couples should be able to marry. Most Americans think that Wall Street CEOs should not pay lower tax rates than their secretaries. Culture wars and class warfare in America? Conservatives built that. And lost.
Read the rest here. It’s a fun one.
In my latest essay for the Fox News website, I try to clarify the massive misconception plaguing Democrats and Republicans at the moment:
After the Great Depression and in the lead up to World War II, the United States debt to GDP ratio was over 100%. And what did we get for that? Not only the resolution of a major world conflict but the New Deal, a package of government stimulus programs that rebooted the economy and created two generations of broadly shared prosperity in America.
Today, the debt to GDP ratio is 60%. So what exactly is the crisis?
I go on to look at other economic measures and dispel them… and then look at what the real crisis is at this moment in history. Check it out and help share it online.
Politico’s Arena asked, “Should the GOP break their anti-tax pledge?” And I responded:
Elected officials should make pledges to the American people, NOT special interests in Washington.
Not only are Republicans right to abandon Grover Norquist’s anti-tax pledge, but they never should have voluntarily shackled themselves to it in the first place.
Want to read the rest? It’s here.
Does Grover Norquist think that letting a tax cut lapse is the same thing as increasing taxes? Depends on which Grover you ask…
This week, Grover Norquist has been all over the place attacking the idea that President Obama would use his mandate to stand firm on the highly-popular idea of letting the Bush-era tax cuts expire for those earning over $250,000 a year. When asked what his agenda for the fiscal showdown was, Norquist told The Washington Post, “You want to stop any tax increases, so continue any tax cuts that lapse.”
In other words, allowing a tax cut to lapse equals a tax increase, eh? Not so fast says … Grover Norquist.
In a July 2011 meeting with The Washington Post editorial board, Norquist said, “Not continuing a tax cut is not technically a tax increase.”
Please read my latest essay for the American Prospect here.
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