I'm heartsick over the dilemma that the tax-cut "compromise" has created. Solid progressives - both in Congress and in cities and towns across America - are faced with a horrible choice.
Do progressives side with their President, or with their highest ideals? Do support this obviously flawed package because of its equally obvious benefits - heeding the calls of the long-term unemployed who need immediate assistance of extended benefits and of working families who don't want to see any tax increase on Jan. 1? Or do they stand strong against the trickle-down economics embodied in the package?
I've intentionally avoided wading into the debate. I guess it's my natural aversion to conflict. I hate to see the progressive community - and the entire nation - torn apart by this fight.
But then today I received an e-mail from my Congresswoman seeking my input. I'm still not sure what to ask her to do. But I'm impressed she's reaching out to her constituents, to economic experts, and to President Obama, even at this late hour. She obviously wants to make sure she casts a well-informed vote on this critical issue.
Please follow me below the fold for excerpts from her e-mail - and to offer any suggestions on how I should reply.
As most of you know (because the debate has been raging here for a week), here's where we stand now:
- The so-called Obama-McConnell bill passed the Senate tonight
- Progressives like Keith Olberman say the deal - that extends Bush tax cuts for the rich another two years - represents "searing and transcendent capitulation" and must be defeated.
- Other progressives, such as Tom Hayden, say the deal represents the only feasible opportunity to preserve middle-class tax cuts and unemployment benefits. They commend the President for using his remaining "leverage" in the waning days of this Congress - controlled by his party for only a couple of more weeks.
The action now heads to the House of Representatives, which brings us to the e-mail I received today from Rep. Mazie Hirono, who represents me and others in Hawai`i's 2nd Congressional District.
Mazie (center) with union workers.
Mazie is a founding member of the Populist Caucus and Vice-Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. Just elected in a landslide to her third term in Congress, Mazie has been a stalwart supporter of President Obama (who vacations in her district) and of the middle-class families she represents in our tourism-dependent economy. She's obviously torn. I appreciate her diligence and transparency.
Mazie with the First Lady & the President
Hawai`i has long been famous for its high cost of living (the price of paradise) and its hard-working residents (with many people working two or three jobs). The Aloha State has traditionally had low rates of unemployment. But in the current recession, unemployment has held steady a 6% to 8%. This is very high for us. And combined with our cost of living, it's causing real pain here, at unprecedented levels in the state's modern history.
Here's the Mazie message I received via e-mail just a short time ago:
The intense debate over the tax plan coming up for a vote . . . this week centers on the opposing goals of Democrats and Republicans based on who we want to help. The Republicans have made it plain over and over that extending the Bush tax cuts for the richest 2% of Americans is their top priority, and they will stop all tax proposals that do not contain this extension. Democrats have been just as plain that tax cuts for the middle class and extension of unemployment benefits are our top priorities.
This is not just a fight over philosophy or ideology, although they lie at the base of our different priorities. This fight has real life pocketbook consequences for millions of unemployed Americans and middle class families next year.
I have heard from those of you who want me to vote against this proposal and those of you who want me to “hold my nose” and vote for it. What’s clear is that both groups want the middle class tax cuts and unemployment benefits to be extended---goals I strongly support through my votes and in remarks on the House floor.
I have discussed my concerns with the White House, including with the President, in the last few days. I voted with the majority of the [Democratic] caucus in the House last week to express our opposition to the bill in its current form. I’ve voted for bills in the House that extended the middle class tax cuts and unemployment insurance. I continue my own outreach to community leaders in Hawaii to hear their views, pro and con. I will be guided by what I honestly believe would be best for Hawaii and for the people we fight for. Thank you for your understanding.
If you would like to know what is currently on the table regarding the high- and middle-income tax cuts, unemployment insurance extension, and other major provisions of this bill, click here. For further details on other tax relief provisions in this bill, including provisions related to the Earned Income Tax Credit, the Child Tax Credit, and the Alternative Minimum Tax exemption, please call my Hawaii office at (808) 541-1986 or email my D.C. staff: HI02taxquestions@mail.house.gov.
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I'm leaning toward asking Rep. Hirono to vote no on the current package. I'd welcome your thoughts. I'm sure Mazie would appreciate you contacting her directly via e-mail or Twitter
Aloha & mahalo.