– GENERATION OBAMA UPDATE –
(December 9, 2010)
Hey Generation Obama’ers,
I know many progressives are disappointed with the President’s “Bush Tax Cut” Deal and it would be great if the Democrats in Congress can get a little bit more out of the package but I want to lay out a few key points for us to remember:
#1 At least $700 Billion of the $800-900 Billion package benefits the “Middle Class” including 13 months of extended unemployment benefits: http://swampland.blogs.time.com/2010/12/07/working-out-the-cost-of-obamas-grand-tax-cut-bargain/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+timeblogs%2Fswampland+%28TIME%3A+Swampland%29
#2 Emergency Federal Unemployment Benefits for the long-term unemployed have expired and the tax cuts for “Middle Class” wages under $250K will expire on December 31st so if nothing passes who do you think the media will blame if nothing gets done quick….the President or the people still-ranked as the Minority Party in Congress?
#3 The President’s stimulus tax cuts are also expiring and the deal replaces them with a bigger $120 Billion payroll tax cut that progressively helps lower income earners.
#4 Every American taxpayer would still get a portion of the tax cuts even if a 100% Democrat-version passed because rich people would get lower rates for their first $250K and the COMPROMISE MOSTLY MEANS WE’RE NOT RAISING TAXES ON OVER $250K EARNERS NOT THAT WE’RE GIVING THEM NEW TAX CUTS.
#5 Although not as effective, Obamas advisers estimate that the tax cuts on 250K+ wages still expand the economy between 10-20 cents per dollar (maids and yacht builders benefit at least!)
#6 By tabling the issue for two years and he can make it a clear issue to discuss during the 2012 Presidential Campaign that he will fight for after getting re-elected since only 40% of Americans support Bush tax cuts for the rich: http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2010/dec/02/john-boehner/john-boehner-says-american-people-spoke-pretty-lou/
Meanwhile, the Senate Democrats decided to deal with the tax cut issue after the election and this is what you get when you don’t use your leverage when you have it. The Senate Democrats recently tried to pass a better bill but couldn’t and some even voted against it! So, the President has stepped in to do what the Senate couldn’t do alone.
The President also wants to try to pass the DREAM Act, DADT Repeal, New START Treaty etc. so he needs to pick his battles and can possibly use this deal to get more support for other deals and at the very least have more time to work on them.
The most important thing though is we all realize that even if you think he stinks at negotiating he is fighting to get some great results for Americans before he loses much of his ability to do so.
More details and events below!
Regards,
Jim McBride
GO-DC President
President Obama’s Message to OFA Supporters
http://my.barackobama.com/TaxCutsVideo
President Obama’s Press Conference (12/7/10)
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/12/07/president-obama-middle-class-tax-cuts-and-unemployment-insurance-agreement-a-good-de
White House Adviser Austin Goulsbee explains Tax Cut Deal
http://www.whitehouse.gov/whiteboard/?utm_source=site&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=taxcutwhiteboard
OFA Year-End Survey for Supporters
http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/vote2010survey/?source=20101123_MS_remainder
Barack Obama’s Facebook News Feed! http://www.slate.com/id/2276674?nav=wp
– FEATURED EVENTS –
For political information and events join us here:
http://groups.google.com/group/generationobamadc
For progressive, nonprofit, technology and communications-related networking and development events join us here:
http://groups.google.com/group/godccareernetworking
*** 12/11-12 RootsCamp UnConference @ GWU – $20 w/Parties & Lunch! ***
(featuring Network For Progress Movement-Building Workshop: “Jon Stewart Doesn’t Door Knock”)
Register Now! http://rootscampdc-networkforprogress.eventbrite.com/
*** 12/14 DC Vote’s Annual Holiday Party ***
5:30 – 8:00 PM Tuesday, December 14, 2010
DC Vote’s Office, 2000 P Street, NW, Suite 200
Please join us in a food drive for the Capital Area Food Bank by bringing non-perishable items with you to the party.
Please RSVP to Antonette Russell at arussell@dcvote.org
*** 12/15 Shackled Senate – How the Filibuster is Holding Hostage Our Congress ***
When: Wednesday, December 15 from 9:30-11:00am
Where: National Press Club, 529 14th Street NW, Washington, DC
Who:
U.S. Senator Tom Harkin (invited) – Longtime champion of filibuster reform
Nan Aron – President of Alliance for Justice Action Campaign
Wade Henderson (invited) – President of Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights
Kay King – Vice President for Washington Initiatives at Council on Foreign Relations
Norman J. Ornstein – Resident Scholar at American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research
Moderator Bob Edgar – President of Common Cause
If you have any questions, please call us at (202) 833-1200.
RSVP: http://www.commoncause.org/FilibusterEvent
*** 12/15 Progressive Communicators of D.C.’s Holiday Party ***
Wednesday, December 15, 2010 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
La Tasca Spanish Tapas Bar & Restaurant
722 7th St., N.W., Washington, D.C. (Chinatown)
Complimentary tapas will be served and drinks will be available at a cash bar.
RSVP by visiting http://pcdcnetworkholidayparty.eventbrite.com/.
(Please RSVP yes only if you plan to come because space is limited. If you need to cancel, contact Valerie Holford (valerieholford@starpower.net) by 10:00 A.M., December 13th. Note the PCDC No-Show policy below, which PCDC has instituted to help ensure a greater number of people can attend our events)
*** 12/15 Arlington Young Democrats Holiday Cocktail Party ***
7:00 PM Wednesday, December 15th
Home of County Board Member Mary Hynes
1503 Highland Street, Arlington, VA 22201
(Clarendon Metro)
Join AYD and other elected officials as we look back on 2010 and look forward to a GREAT 2011! Drinks and heavy hors d’oeuvres will be served. Keep an eye out for more details. If you have any questions, contact Gordon at president@arlingtonyoungdems.org.
*** 12/15 Ward 6 Democrats Annual Holiday Party ***
6:30- 9:00 PM Wednesday, December 15th
Hawk & Dove, 329 Pennsylvania Ave., SE (Capitol South Metro)
Contact- President Charles Allen ward6dems@gmail.com
$10.00 per person includes Buffet Dinner! Cash Bar! Raffle Prizes!
Become a Host by Donating $25 and Bringing 5 Friends!
***12/16 GO-DC “Celebrate The Progress” Holiday Party on the Hill ***
(featuring Rep. Driehaus, YDA President Rod Snyder & Democratic GAIN)
Only $5! (FREE for staffers of “retiring” Members)
includes 1 Raffle Ticket and a Bonus Ticket for each:
– Guest List Members (http://1216progressholidayparty.eventbrite.com/)
– 111th Congress Member staffers (card required)
– GO-DC Members (http://bit.ly/GODCmembershipform)
+ Suggested Unwrapped Toy or $5 Charity Donation
RAFFLE PRIZES INCLUDE: Boomerang Bus for 4 ($140), Sequioa ($100), Lounge 201 ($50), FREE DC Vote T-shirts and FREE Career Advice w/Democratic GAIN!
Register by 5pm 12/15! http://1216progressholidayparty.eventbrite.com/
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Season’s Greetings Hope Mongers!
Generation Obama DC 