Post-"fiscal cliff" vote, Obama trumpets newly "progressive" tax code

President Obama hasn't yet signed into law a deal to avert the so-called "fiscal cliff," but nevertheless he released a video today celebrating "what we were able to achieve this week" in blocking tax hikes for Americans making less than $400,000 a year.

"Thanks to so many of you, because you made your voices heard throughout this debate, we've stopped that middle class tax hike," the president said in the video, sent out to his political supporters by Obama for America campaign manager Jim Messina, not from the White House.

"But we didn't stop there - we extended tax credits for families with children and tuition tax credits that are helping millions of families pay for college; we extended tax credits for clean energy companies that are creating jobs and reducing our dependence on foreign oil; and we extended unemployment insurance for two million Americans who are actively looking for a job."

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Though many on the left were unhappy with the final package to avoid the potentially devastating effects of a series of tax increases and spending cuts set to trigger Jan. 1 - particularly since the income threshold for raising tax rates was higher than Democrats' proposed $250,000 - Mr. Obama heralded the deal, passed early Tuesday in the Senate and later that night in the House, for "making our tax code more progressive than it's been in decades."

"Ever since I took office," the president said, "my preference has always been to reach a bigger agreement that solves our whole deficit problem in a balanced and responsible way. I'll admit that hasn't always been easy as I hoped it would be So instead, we're solving this problem in several steps: Last year we started reducing the deficit through $1 trillion in spending cuts; and the agreement we reached this week will reduce the deficit even more by asking the wealthiest 2 percent of Americans to pay higher taxes for the first time in two decades.

"So that's progress," he continued. "Just recently, Republicans in Congress said they'd never agree to raise tax rates on the wealthiest Americans. We've now raised those rates permanently."

A spokesperson for House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, said the bill was delivered to the White House late this afternoon. An aide to Mr. Obama told CBS News it was unclear whether the bill will be sent to the president in Hawaii for signing, or if he will authorize using the "autopen," which allows him to sign a bill without being present, as he's done on two previous occasions. But, the aide added, "rest assured it will be in a timely fashion."

[hillzagain]

Mike239239 replies:
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You should go to a library and look up the three branches of government and what their responsibilites are. P.S. A Library is the building with all the books in it.
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Maybe you should. It is the President's responsibility to present the budget for running the government. It's also his job to act as a leader and bring two opposing sides together and find common ground.

Grandstanding over a paltry $70 Billion increase in revenue from a piddly little tax cut is not doing his job.

[tsigili]

Nothing "progressive" about stealing from the rich to give to the shiftless.

[mjvwsr]

A heavy progressive or graduated income tax.

That would be Plank No. 2 in the Communist Manifesto

[logictoo]

Obama has left for Hawaii. He won't sign the bill for at least five days because he said he would not sign any legislation until it is posted on the internet for at least five days so the American People can read it. It has something to do with all the transparency he preached, wait, that was the first time he ran. I think he must have decided not to tell that lie again.

[sjc_1]

Functional Progressive Taxation, a curve, no brackets. The more you make, the higher percentage you pay. Below $50,000 no taxes, above $500,000 40%, NO deductions, NO loopholes for ANYBODY.

[mjvwsr]

A heavy progressive or graduated income tax.

That would be Plank No. 2 in the Communist Manifesto
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You're right there with Marx

[easymoola]

Thanks to so many of you, because you made your voices heard throughout this debate, we've stopped that middle class tax hike,"

In other words we made the Bush tax cuts permanant for most of you. For the rest [ go Reid yourself].

[Type_Z]

Class warfare well done. Pitting one class against another. Does this end the "rich don't pay their fair share" lie? Or will you just continue to spend, and create as many victims as you can, thus asking for more? This is America you know, the land of the free, that includes the freedom to work a trade or job of your own choosing. You did it Mr. President as have many others. No body asked or needs your permission to succeed. As Americans, that has already been granted to them.

Instead of Uniting Americans, finding common ground, you went opposite. Why do you victimize people instead of showing that they too can have the success that you have had? The first black President, Americans should have been proud, thankful, maybe relieved. Instead of being a uniter, you have been a divider. You look the other way when the left acts threatening or lies. It's shameful, Mr. President.

[hillzagain]

You make a well-presented and thoughtful point Z. As such, prepare to be roundly criticized for daring to make a negative comment regarding their messiah. I predict several race cards thrown in for good measure.

[hillzagain]

"the agreement we reached this week will reduce the deficit even more by asking the wealthiest 2 percent of Americans to pay higher taxes for the first time in two decades."

The only people that this fools are the idiots who can't do math. That elimination of a tax increase on the $400+ earners gets us less than one HALF of ONE percent of the deficit. What a bunch of self-serving BS.