More On Debt And Taxes

The Republican got a good deal–take it says the Economist.

And the closer you look, the more unprincipled the Republicans look. Earlier this year House Republicans produced a report noting that an 85%-15% split between spending cuts and tax rises was the average for successful fiscal consolidations, according to historical evidence. The White House is offering an 83%-17% split (hardly a huge distance) and a promise that none of the revenue increase will come from higher marginal rates, only from eliminating loopholes. If the Republicans were real tax reformers, they would seize this offer.

via America’s debt: Shame on them | The Economist.

America’s Debt And The Economically Illiterate

From the best and seriously conservative Economist, it is embarrassing to our nation that the US is led by people who haven’t the slightest idea about basic economics, or have chosen to ignore economics for personal advantage.  Either way we are stuck in a stagnant economy, huge unemployment and nothing happening to reverse course.

The sticking-point is not on the spending side. It is because the vast majority of Republicans, driven on by the wilder-eyed members of their party and the cacophony of conservative media, are clinging to the position that not a single cent of deficit reduction must come from a higher tax take. This is economically illiterate and disgracefully cynical.

via America’s debt: Shame on them | The Economist.

Is Bad Job Report Good Or Bad For Coral Gables

It is bad for Coral Gables if you think that sales on Miracle Mile are important, if you agree that sales taxes are important, if real estate is to come back, if you think that businesses depend fundamentally on consumer spending directly or indirectly, if we depend on our ability to finance good infrastructure, if you think that UM needs a prosperous economy to pay it way…

In May, the unemployment rate for Miami-Dade rose from 13.1 percent to 13.4 percent, matching a record set in 2010. In Broward, it crept back up to 9 percent. Adjusting for seasonal hiccups in hiring, Miami-Dade payrolls shrunk by 3,500 between April and May while in Broward they stayed flat. May ended a string of monthly gains in South Florida jobs in 2011, just as the national May employment report of 54,000 new jobs was the first lackluster gain of 2011.

via Dismal jobs report for June doesn’t bode well for South Florida numbers – Business Breaking News – MiamiHerald.com.

No Future For Nation With These Politicians

These politicians work for a very narrow group of powerful rich who refuse to pay taxes and who reach out to cut back our social safety nets at whatever cost to the community and the middle class.

Boehner isn’t really in charge of the House Republican caucus. The lunatics are. And it looks like they’ve won.

via Lunatics Prevail In House Republican Caucus; Boehner Reportedly Gives Up On Grand Bargain Because It Would Increase Taxes | The New Republic.