I would say vote the new tax proposal down

if it was not for the unemployment benefits. I've been where our unemployed are now. A child, a house payment, utility bills to pay,and food to put on the table were all possible with the help of my unemployment check and some real belt tightening. I remember sleepless nights trying to figure out how to pay an unexpected car repair. I sold my microwave oven one December to be able to buy some toys for my son for Christmas. I've been where they are.

If I thought that it would not slow down the recovery from the recession, I would say let the tax cuts end. Put that money on the deficit. I'm not an economist and I'm not sure if it would help or hurt. But I do know that they have to find a way to extend the unemployment benefits. We can't have families put out on the street.

I'm wondering if this bill does not pass, could the unemployment benefits pass on a separate vote? And if there were a separate vote, would the repubs throw the unemployed under the bus to prove a point that there will be hell to pay if the rich don't get their tax cuts.

elsewhere in the budget. That is the Republican position.

I have to hope the Republicans would relent when their constituents find the pain of unemployment unbearable.

Please don't argue all Republicans only have rich constituents...for some portion of Republicans that's true.

For another portion of Republicans, I believe they represent middle income and poor people.
I believe these middle income and poor people, for one reason, or another, vote Republican.
Perhaps they vote Republican because they are pro-life or have an overwhelming belief in individual responsibility.
Perhaps they vote Republican because their neighbors or parents vote Republican.
Perhaps they vote Republican because of the company they work for.
Perhaps they vote Republican out of fear; change can be a frightening prospect for people.

If only President Obama would use the bully pulpit to reach these middle income and poor people.

If only these poor people would vote...I haven't done a google search, but have the following suspicion.

I suspect a lot of poor people do not vote. I know of at least 5 poor people I could not get to vote this year.
I did encourage them to vote...but soon realized no amount of encouragement would get them to vote.
Forgive me for corrupting this saying...
sometimes, one can't even lead a horse to water to get them to drink.