Bill Clinton: Downgrade shouldn't raise taxes on ANYONE right now

[Fury]

Bill Clinton: New taxes only after upturn

(Politico) — Former President Bill Clinton’s position on when the government should raise taxes took another turn during his Wednesday night appearance on the “Late Show with David Letterman.”

Clinton said last night he does not think now is the time to raise taxes on anyone because the economy is not growing, but advocated for a hike on the rich after the situation improves.

“Should you raise taxes on anybody right today — rich or poor or middle class? No, because there’s no growth in the economy,” Clinton said on the “Late Show.” “Should those of us who make more money and are in better position to contribute to America’s public needs and getting this deficit under control pay a higher tax rate when the economy recovers? Yes, that’s what I think.”

With that, Clinton reemphasized his support of the “Buffett Rule,” President Barack Obama’s proposed tax increase for those earning annual incomes of $1 million or more — with one critical difference.

Obama’s proposal would take effect in 2013, but Clinton says he prefers a much less specific time to institute the Buffett Rule: whenever the economy recovers.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1011/65855.html


Damn. Downgrade isn't even capable of rounding up his own troops on this. Then again, he's only pushing it for his campaign. I mean, it's not like he's actually interested in governing or anything.

[headhuntersix]

Why do I miss Bill.

[225for70]

Why do I miss Bill.

you miss him cause bush and Obama have destroyed this once great nation.

[Hugo Chavez]

Why do I miss Bill.

  I hope you're joking.

[Dos Equis]

Geeze.  How embarassing for the Appeaser in Chief.

[Soul Crusher]

Why do I miss Bill.

Because at the end of the day - Clinton could work a deal w the GOP congress.    Other than repeal of glass steagal, Clinton was very responsible. 

[Skip8282]

Why do I miss Bill.

I'll second that.

[Soul Crusher]

I'll second that.

People miss bill because of the GOP congress.    Newt was and is a legislative master.   He was able to work w Clinton on good things. 

[Dos Equis]

I'll second that.

Agree.  Aside from his moral failures, he did a good job. 

[George Whorewell]

Clinton was not a good President. We haven't had a good prez since Reagan.


Under Clinton ( and this is putting his personal life scandals aside-- Whitewater, Lewinsky+ committing perjury, Vince Foster, Paula Jones, and the 20 other women he groped or sexually assaulted that came forward) the following occurred:

 We sold our souls to the Chinese, put the eventual housing collapse/ financial meltdown of 2008 into motion, totally fell asleep at the wheel regarding terrorism which led to 9/11 ( not to mention the fact that the first WTC attack occurred on his watch and the culprits were tried in civilian court), botched Somalia and used his office to get his cocaine dealing brother out of federal prison.  But the biggest "strong point" of the Clinton years that everyone seems to misremember is that every single economic success he enjoyed while in office was the direct result of having a Republican majority in both houses. Clinton is more of an egomaniac than an ideologue. Keeping Clinton in check with Republican majorities in the legislature forced him to govern from the center and put his far left bullshit agenda in the grave. Newt Gingrich is more direct contributor to the economic success this country enjoyed during the Clinton years than Clinton himself.

[Dos Equis]

Clinton was not a good President. We haven't had a good prez since Reagan.


Under Clinton ( and this is putting his personal life scandals aside-- Whitewater, Lewinsky+ committing perjury, Vince Foster, Paula Jones, and the 20 other women he groped or sexually assaulted that came forward) the following occurred:

 We sold our souls to the Chinese, put the eventual housing collapse/ financial meltdown of 2008 into motion, totally fell asleep at the wheel regarding terrorism which led to 9/11 ( not to mention the fact that the first WTC attack occurred on his watch and the culprits were tried in civilian court), botched Somalia and used his office to get his cocaine dealing brother out of federal prison.  But the biggest "strong point" of the Clinton years that everyone seems to misremember is that every single economic success he enjoyed while in office was the direct result of having a Republican majority in both houses. Clinton is more of an egomaniac than an ideologue. Keeping Clinton in check with Republican majorities in the legislature forced him to govern from the center and put his far left bullshit agenda in the grave. Newt Gingrich is more direct contributor to the economic success this country enjoyed during the Clinton years than Clinton himself.

Good points, although one of the things he was smart enough to do was work with a Republican Congress.  That's what good leaders do (work with the opposition). 

He wasn't a complete ideologue like Obama.  For example, one of the first things he tried to do was repeal the ban on gays in the military.  When he saw how strong the opposition was, he backed off and they came up with DADT, which was a great compromise.  Regarding healthcare, after the secret Hillary meetings, he backed off.  Compare that to the incompetent fool we have in the White House now. 

[George Whorewell]

Good points, although one of the things he was smart enough to do was work with a Republican Congress.  That's what good leaders do (work with the opposition). 

He wasn't a complete ideologue like Obama.  For example, one of the first things he tried to do was repeal the ban on gays in the military.  When he saw how strong the opposition was, he backed off and they came up with DADT, which was a great compromise.  Regarding healthcare, after the secret Hillary meetings, he backed off.  Compare that to the incompetent fool we have in the White House now. 

Agreed-- his ego and by extension public opinion are what sustained this country for the 8 years he was in office.