NeNe Leakes Denies Kenya Moore Joining Atlanta 'Housewives'
The Conservative Fantasy History Of Civil Rights
Barbara Lee, Chairwoman of the CBC, said that she will not support President Obama's plan:
"You put those together and this is an assault on the working poor and middle-income people," she said. "What is so outrageous about this whole thing is we know the pain and suffering people are going through right now as a result of the Bush era tax cuts."
The CBC says that they are willing to consider other proposals on tax cuts, including an extension of unemployment benefits for 13 months, and a two-year extension of tax cuts for those earning less than $250,000 per year.
The CBC doesn't appear to be swayed by a recent press conference held by President Barack Obama and former President Bill Clinton. During the surprise gathering, both Clinton and Obama spoke on the benefits of the deal the president made with Republicans. The bill should be brought to a vote in the Senate on Monday, according to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.
Right now, I must confess that I am confused by what's happening in Washington. Rather than seeing the benefits of Obama's deal with Republicans, or at least realizing the logic behind his decision, Democrats are screaming at the top of their lungs about allowing wealthy Americans to keep their taxes down. I am not, for one second, a fan of allowing the wealthy to keep their tax cuts, but I am willing to allow them to have these cuts if the cost might be the loss of unemployment benefits for millions of Americans.
Quite frankly, the political warfare going on in the Democratic Party reminds me of the opposition some of my friends have shown toward issues like gay marriage. There are millions of Americans who have nothing to gain or lose by allowing gay people to be married, but they become angry and offended nonetheless. Personally, it never mattered much to me one way or the other, so my response has always been, "Why not?" This was especially true in 2004, where staunch opposition to gay marriage fueled another four years of one of the worst presidents in American history. Sometimes we cut off our nose to spite our face when it comes to political ideology.
Yes, extending tax cuts for the rich is going to negatively impact the federal debt, but the debt is going to continue growing whether or not the wealthy get their cuts. Also, stopping the wealthy from keeping their tax cuts is not going to put food on the tables of those families who stand to lose everything while the folks in Washington play a dysfunctional game of high stakes chicken. If the Democratic attacks on the president are part of some covert strategy to recapture the White House, brand the Republicans as the party for the rich and undermine Republican arguments that Obama is too liberal, then I get it. But if things are effectively what they appear to be, then I am shocked and disappointed that this is going down at all.
Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and a Scholarship in Action Resident of the Institute for Black Public Policy. To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here. 
Comments: (39)
Add a comment
By: rbk84 on 12/11/2010 1:58PM
Obama. What a joke of a Human Being. Sellout and house negro to the elite. This guy will not fight for poor people because he never was poor. He is so slick he can walk between raindrops. Anyone blackperson who believes he will get elected again is living in a dream world. We did'nt elect this guy, the white liberals, youth and other minorities got this failure elected. Do not believe the hype. If this guy runs in 2012, it will be a massacre and the end of any person of color becomming president for a long time to come. Its almost like he's a plant into the Dem party to ensure its demise by his poor performance as a leader. Is this what black leadership looks like. Its embarassing as an excutive to have him as a role model. No backbone. You know this guy is spinless, look at that press conference with Clinton. He allowed another ex president to explain and try and convince the public to go along with HIS proposal which was done behind closed doors without input from his own party. Correct me if I'm wrong, but during the 2008 campaign was'nt Obama very vocal about his displeasure that cheny and bush could'nt be trusted because they were doing the same thing he's doing, making policy without input from congress. Obama is not adverse to backroom deals himself. Typical old school politician. Boy do we need to update government to reflect the real world. I'm sorry but Obama is just rearanging the chairs on the Titanic. We going down slowly just like her, better pay attention.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Marsha on 12/11/2010 4:58PM
I so agree with you rbk84, especially the part about Bill Clinton. What a pathetic picture that was. I would add though that while I see the dilemma created by the unemployment benefits situation, I wonder two things? Why is the issue of unemployment being attached to the tax cuts bill? and what is going to be done in 13 months that will ensure that we are not right back in this same position in 13 months.... asking for more benefits?? How is washington going to go about the business of creating jobs to put these individuals back to work?? yes, 13 months will be a breath of fresh air for alot of people trying to put food on the table, and keep a roof over their heads; but sometimes the fear of what is coming can be just as great, if not greater than the fear that exists in the right now. Personally, I think the President needs to fight this one. Where is the power of the VETO?? These Republicans are going to extend these taxs cuts permanately, and the low income, poor of this country are going to be left right where we are now.... OUT!!! If ever there was a time for this President to exhibit some BACKBONE, it is NOW!!!
Report This
By: The Cynic on 12/11/2010 7:23PM
Thank you for saying everything I feel. Dr. Boyce Watkins is SOOO wrong on the unemployment benefits. These tax cuts are going to expand the deficit by $900 billion and he is acting as if it is nothing. If unemployment does not get better Obama will undoubtedly be a one term prez. Black folks alone cannot save him and once a Repub gets into the White House he/she will make sure to make these cuts permanent. I'm sorry, but the deal ain't worth it. I'd rather Obama keep cuts for 98% of Americans and lose the unemployment benefits(which are just band-aids that aren't gonna fix the economy).
Tax cuts have proven not to work. They concentrate wealth at the top and destroy the middle class. Once the chasm between the rich and poor becomes wider we will start to see social problems like crime rise and social benefits like social security and Medicare decrease.
Report This
By: Q.Burke on 12/12/2010 12:03AM
I surmise that nearly all democrats think as you, that the President is not strong on hardly anything, and I would have to disagree with all of you that think such. It does no one any justice to fight for something that just not going to take place; if the President had not cut a deal with those "hog-nosed" republicans, there is no way they (republicans)would have agreed to an extension of unemployment benefits. Some time one has to weigh it all to get the right mix.
Report This
By: Maria on 12/12/2010 2:39AM
rbk84, I won't go as far as to call Obama a joke of a human being, but I will say I am not impressed by any decision that he has made in the past two years. As a Black person, I cried the night Obama won the Presidency. The tears run no more because he has no backbone and all of his promises were empty. The Health Care Reform hasn't positively impacted my life. My medical and car insurance went up this year. The wars in Africa (yes, Iraq and Afghanistan) are still in full swing. The banks were given billions of dollars while my property value has gone done by 50% and my credit card interest rate went up for no reason. I am really disappointed. Who in their right mind would allow some rich Republicans and their rich friends from all parties to keep an unnecessary tax cut while millions of Americans are in financial ruins? Many Black people will not give Obama the proper criticism that he deserves. I cannot promise that he will get my vote in 2012 unless there comes about some major changes to positively impact the daily lives of regular, hardworking Americans in the near future. I totally understand your feelings.
Report This
By: Joeph on 12/12/2010 3:12AM
You dont know what you are talking about. Call him spinless all you want. What was he supposed to do. The republicans was poised to get exactly what they wanted. To help the rich and hurt the poor. Yes he could have said no and who would have suffered. The tax breaks are extended for only 2 more years but people who are hurting would been hurt more. It is easy for you you to set behind a computer screen and talk about how stupid he is and try to make people think you are so smart. He sure dont need people like you as his supporters. Why don't you put your name on a ballot and see if you can do any better
Report This
By: miles davis on 12/12/2010 8:45AM
great analysis.
Report This
By: DEPTY1 on 12/15/2010 3:50PM
HOW MANY TRILLIONS DID THE (PRIVATE) FEDERAL RESERVE LOAN TO WALL STREET THIS WEEK, AND AT WHAT INTEREST RATE ?.( THE CONGRESS OR THE PRESIDENT DONT HAVE A VOTE THERE) OBAMA HAD TO HELP THE POOR UNEMPLOYED BY COMPROMISING THIS TIME THAT'S LEADERSHIP ,IT WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO FOR THE BOTTOM 98% OF THE FOLKS (MERRY XMAS), SO THE RICH PROFITED, S--- HAPPENS .OBAMA WILL WIN IN 2012 WITHOUT YOUR VOTE rbk84
Report This
By: Christine on 12/19/2010 4:53PM
I totally agree with Joseph. We as African-Americans love to find fault with one another, because it may seem to let others know; when one loses in a composition in dealing with the Republicans. President Obama, is doing well and taking issues that he knows will be felt against the Republican's increase from the tax cuts. He did not do it, the President was fighting back! It's mandatory for the rich to battle against the President. Too tell one the truth, I do not believe that they won honestly and I truly believe that God has got our backs, for all the people that sees the humbleness and the faith that the President serves with the ugly rearing his head. If one can not say something good, then don't say anything at all. He took a position that he and many who knew that it was going to be ballistic comments against one that have done being African American. When did they stop hurting us, and using us to destroy what they need too strive for? Remember, that we are a National Pride from the victory of President Obama. We are a chosen generation.....a holy nation...that you may proclaim the gifts that we are given by God.. The praises of God and my Lord & Savior Jesus Christ...from who called us of darkness. (1 Peter 2-9)
We were driven out of slavery, mounting killings because we were black, voided in everything, where to live, the way we live, work, and fellowship. But God is bringing us out of that. By a courage and faith in God! The thing we should not do is tear him down... Not now, we know what he and his family is going through...are did you forget. If God is for us then who can be against us. No ONE ! Stand behind the President... You have witness something that you thought would never happen in this lifetime. For we know with prayer and faith standing together.... "THE BEST IS YET TOO COME!" Christine
Report This
By: M L on 12/11/2010 5:54PM
Dr. Watkins is clearly not satisfied with roughly half of Americans paying no income tax. Nope - he wants more in the wagon than pulling the wagon because, evidently, that is "fair."
Reply to this Comment | Report This