Senate Democrats today rejected a minimum wage increase on a 56-42 vote. Although it would have raised the minimum wage to $7.25 over a three year period, Democrats rejected the bill because it contained a reduction in the estate tax. A tax that drains equity in family businesses (small family owned and operated companies), family farms, etc.
I suppose the Democrats think they can convince the voters that there was a valid reason for rejecting this bill, but in the end all they can say is that when presented with a bill that would have raised the minimum wage for the most vulnerable Americans they rejected it on purely political reasons.
I am not sure about the rest of you, but I will continue to make an issue of this from now until election day.
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It was more than that. Really, how many small hard working business people will get that tax break. Really, the break was for the rich who own and sell properties, pass on summer homes, etc etc. Yep! Just what the rich need, more money. Good for the Dems. If the Republicans were so concerned about the working man, then they would have passed this bill the last time it came up a few months ago WITHOUT the Estate Tax added on.
It IS an issue, but not in the way you seem to think. When will the Congress put the practice of sticking unrelated amendments together for votes. This is cripling any sort of progress in all phases of Gov. When the sponsors of any bill have to vote against it because the other side has stuck a red herring on an honorable attempt to change something, we all lose. This practice is an excersize in stupidity. In this example, the Senate is trying to get some sort of realistic way to try and help the folks that can't help themselves, but the sponsors have to vote "no" because the top 10% Greedmongers wanted another piece of money candy. I'm curious as to how much you think the top rich guys deserve? Everything?
So now the Democrats just gave the Republicans some ammo for the upcoming elections; that they voted against a wage increase and against small family businesses and farms trying to survive when the death of the owner occurs. At least that's how it will be used.
The estate tax does need to be eased and abated to allow small business owners and family farms to continue on with it's next generation. However, strong party line Democrats are totally against that. Though they probably know different, they want to maintain the Estate tax because generally speaking, those who vote for them are low income earners with class envy; these Democrats have to stay on their good side because they want to keep getting elected and to stay in power.
The Republicans, at least the far right party line, what to abate the entire death tax all together. I don't know how much of an effect that would have; the ultra wealthy such as Warren Buffet and Bill Gates are giving their money away to private charitable foundations.
If Republicans are so concerned about the working man, then let's see them separate these two issues and see which one will really pass and which party will vote for which bill.
Honest people know the only reason things like the estate tax items are attached to bills like a raise in the minimum wage increase bill is out of pure politics.
The only reason these two bills are combined is out of self-serving republican politics.
Actually the minimum wage bill was added to the Estate Tax Bill.
The Democrats had an opportunity to assist the less fortunate but refused to do so out of purely political motivations.
The current way Estate taxes are calculated it can effect far more small businesses and farms than most people realize.
Why tax it to begin with? Someone earned that money, they built a successful portfolio and increased their net worth and so they pass it on to their relatives.
Then comes Uncle Sam with his hand out again, only this time he takes a far bigger cut of the pie.
Why? To continue fostering class envy.
The only reason why most Democrats oppose a reduction in the Estate tax is that they are envious of someone who has been more successful then themselves.
Sorry, today CNN reported that Bill Frist added this bill to the minimum wage bill.
But even if this is wrong, here is a pure example to show the true bullshit of this garbage:
Bill Frist, a republican, voted AGAINST this same bill. Now, do Republicans point this out? Hell no.
(But to be honest here, Frist voted against it because this will allow him to bring it up later on - but it gets back to the same point: pure bullshit politics.)
The mater of Frist voting against the bill was as you correctly pointed out, so that he would be allowed under Senate rules to bring the bill back up to the floor for debate and another vote.
You rail against the Republicans for this action, but I suppose it is ok for the Democrats to do it?
The Democrats who voted against the bill did not do so so they could bring the bill back up again for another vote, rather it was because they are against cutting the Estate Tax. Why is that? The Estate Tax is the purest form of class envy that exists in todays economy.
I find it absolutely hillarious that so many complain that certain tax cuts ** only ** benefit the rich. In reality tax cuts benefit everyone who pays taxes; however, in some cases those who make more will see a larger reduction in their tax bill. Why? Because ** THEY PAY MORE IN TAXES ** !!
D.W.,
Tell you what then, if the estate tax bill is such a good bill, then let's have the Republicans push forward this bill and this bill only.
But you know as well as I do that they don't have the political backbone to do it and that is simply because of pragmatic politics - on its own, in a climate as we have now, a bill such as this is a loser.
I have absolutely no problem with that.
I would also expect the Democrats to do the same with all of their bills; of course that will not happen either will it?
Nope, so its somewhat of a moot point.
I don't understand why the bills have to be intertwined as they are. That said, the Repubs will probably have fodder for the upcoming elections saying how mean the Dems are for voting it down!
Oh you can bet the Debbies will take it on the chin with this one.
They have been doing this (combining bills) for years and only now are making an issue of it.
It is time someone shoved it back at them.
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