All-Purpose Scapegoats

[Geee]

American Spectator:

Good-bye, “tax cuts for the rich.” If the legislation passed on New Year’s Day means nothing else, it should at least put an end to a rhetorical trope that Democrats have been pounding for the past decade. This has been the essence of the Democrat party’s economic message since the enactment of the “Bush tax cuts” in 2002: Everything that is wrong with the economy — and with the federal budget — can be attributed to the fact that the rich aren’t paying enough taxes.

As a “fact,” of course, this fell far short of actually being true, but when did Democrats ever let facts and truth get in the way of an effective campaign message? After senators worked past midnight Monday to enact their fiscal-cliff deal, a New York Times headline proclaimed the joyous news: “Senate Passes Tax Increases on Wealthy Americans.” Thank you, God, and thank you, Harry Reid. After some grumbling and dithering, the House voted late Tuesday to pass the bill, and so taxpayers earning more than $400,000 will see their rates rise. The fearsome dragon of the “Bush tax cuts” has at last been slain, even though we suspect that this will not actually be the “happily ever after” ending of the fairy tale.

[Draggingtree]

Tax-bill vote splits GOP House leadership

By Molly K. Hooper - 01/02/13 12:38 AM ET

When House GOP lawmakers entered the chamber late Tuesday night to vote on the Senate-backed "fiscal cliff" bill, one mystery remained: How would their leadership team vote on the must-pass bill?

Within 25 minutes, the mystery was solved, with a divided leadership on display for the members to see.

During the vote, the filling House chamber was subdued. All eyes were on the tally board high above the press gallery in the House, where Republican lawmakers saw a significant division appear in red and green lights among their leadership team.

“The leader was not happy with the deal passed at 2 a.m. [Tuesday] morning and spent the day trying to find an alternative.

http://thehill.com/homenews/house/275125-tax-bill-vote-opens-rift-in-republican-house-leadership