In another blow to the Obama administration, the unemployment benefits and tax cut package proposed last week by the President were approved by the Senate. This measure includes many of the Bush-era tax cuts for middle and upper-class brackets, including controversial benefits for the top 2% of earners. The legislation is tied with a 13-month extension for unemployment benefits that would carry the unemployed until after the next holiday season.
This legislation represents a major compromise on the part of Senate democrats and President Obama. Part of his platform of change was founded on ending the previous adminstration's tax breaks to the rich. To fold on this issue demonstrates a willingness to cooperate but also highlights a major disappointment in Obama's domestic policy to date. Guantanamo is still open, we're still mismanaging our financial regulatory system, and tax cuts for the rich are being extended. Many of the central themes Obama spoke so passionately about have disinitegrated in the wake of the loss of the 'super-majority' and dwindling support for the formerly popular politician.
Sen. Harry Reid had this to say: "My Republicans colleagues would rather talk about the deficit than do anything to bring it down." In my opinion this should be viewed as a bipartisan effort and should be used to continue cooperation in the future. We've demonstarted over the past ten years partisan politics in our legislature leads to headaches and bitterness. Our public has less confidence in Congress today than in many points of history. If Congress fails to pass this package, taxes for the middle-class will go up on January 1st. Unfortunately, I don't think this is the answer.
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