Obama And Tax Cuts

"We are not a collection of red states and blue states. We are the United States of America."

Some people need to be reminded of that quote, given what has happened in the last few days. Recently, President Barack Obama reached a compromise with Republicans to temporarily extend the Bush tax cuts in exchange for an extension of unemployment benefits for millions of jobless Americans. There has been a lot of discussion and debate over this move and there has been a particular uproar amongst liberals. They feel Obama is caving to Republicans and that this is yet another example of him failing to stand strong on liberal issues.

I can understand their disliking the decision to extend the Bush tax cuts. I am of the belief that trickle-down economics does not work well and I also think that the rich can afford to pay slightly higher taxes. And, from what I understand (my knowledge of economics is rather limited), the Bush tax cuts are not a great help to the national economy because they add to the deficit without paying for themselves. I can understand the discontent towards extending them, even temporarily.

But I do not understand the uproar with which liberals have reacted to the move. If the move has angered or infuriated you, take a look at that quote at the top of this post. Remember when he said that? Remember the swell of pride you felt as he repeated them during his acceptance speech on election night two years ago? You probably did not feel the same swell of pride when you read about that deal Obama made. Why?

President Obama did exactly what that quote personifies, governing not to one side, but to the middle, and yet many liberals cannot help but overreact. I support the move even though I disagree with the decision to extend the Bush tax cuts because Obama is trying to appease both sides, as he should. Is it perfect? Of course not but nowadays it is very hard find any major policy that both Democrats and Republicans can agree on. That is why I applaud the move, because Obama is making that quote at the top come to life.

I have written before about my problems with the "professional left" that Press Secretary Robert Gibbs once brought up, and I feel that this is another case of the professional left doing more harm that good. To borrow the old saying, you cannot have your cake and eat it too. By overlooking the bipartisan nature of the agreement President Obama struck up, the professional left needs to learn that Obama is not someone who bows to their every wish.

The professional left also needs to learn that compromising with Republicans does not make President Obama a weak authority. Go ahead and try to name any piece of legislation that has been had major bipartisan support. Kind of hard to do, isn't it? Obama has had to fight an obstructionist Republican Party since taking office, and this agreement shows two things: first, a willingness to reach across the isle, and second, making sacrifices to make sure things get done.

Senate Republicans promised to combat any and all legislation that came their way until something was done about the Bush tax cuts. President Obama moved forward to ensure that important things like extending unemployment benefits get done. Now tell me, how is that so wrong? I understand that this presidency has not been quite what liberals envisioned after election night 2008, but it has been better than what they have made it out to be. I hope liberals start to realize that, and remember President Obama is not working for them alone, but for everyone, even the tens of millions that voted against him in the election.

Until next time, Orange Hat Guy