President Obama's proposed tax increase will raise an additional eighty billion dollars per year. Our debt totals slightly more than sixteen trillion and we are adding to it at a rate of one trillion per year. Clearly, the tax increase will do nothing to improve our fiscal dilemma, it is less than a drop in the bucket. But we will FEEL better because the wealthy will be hurting as well. Liberalism is about spreading the pain around, not economic improvement. The power to tell one how much he or she is entitled to earn in the United States is NOT the economic freedom that spurred Europeans to embrace the American dream. That is the reason the word 'socialist' is so often mentioned. Obama has instilled in the ignorant poor the idea that, "I am poor, I am hurting, therefore, TO BE FAIR, the 'rich' should hurt too! I do not care if it weakens the country and does nothing to solve the fiscal problems!" Perhaps we should allow the ignorant poor to set not simply tax rates but to formulate economic policy based on the ghetto model - what a rousing success!

Sure, Otis, if that is your real name. Because the low taxes, high spending, start two wars but don't pay for them, relax regulations to the point of massive economic system collapse didn't all start under your homie Bush. Notice how Repub candidates all studiously avoided mentioning his name and policies in most cases, Especially Mitt RMoney? Hmm, wonder why that is. Could it be cuz NOBODY but you ignorant rednecks who (for some reason) consistently vote against your own interests and think you are all richer and better thna everyone else liked those policies?

If we would quit the blame game and get down to solving problems, we would have progress. You have to have money to spend to help growth so how do you get extra cash if you have to pay more taxes. Doesn't help economy. Hurts us middle class who budget. We may be forced to get in another war if talks fail. Need to show strength.

Does it really even matter if we tax the rich or not? You have to know they are all preparing for this by moving money around, cashing out of stocks and sending it over seas, tweaking tax documents to maximize their benefits based on the projected tax increase....in other words, these people (for the most part) didnt just fall into money. They made it by being fiscally smart and they will know how to get around the tax hikes if they want. Then what do you do?

Ditto James.Carol do you make over $200,00? I doudt it and neither does Otis. A tax increase will not affect you and don't be misled into believing you are upper middle class..You probably are not and never will be.This peppaganda is what is keeping the real middle class in check.

How insightful of you Joe, I didn't know you could tell a person's wage by merely reading a comment on a newspaper article. Can you guess how much I make? I've obviously given you enough information just by posting this comment.

As a matter of fact Jay I do know that you are not in the class you have been led to believe. But you are flattered when someone tells that you are and as a result you'll believe anything they tell you; you will continue to vote against your own interests until you realize this.

What facts do you know about me that allow you to pass judgement on me? What facts do you have on me that allow you to know how much anyone makes other than their pay stub? I know you haven't seen mine so you don't have a clue. You don't even know who I voted for so how do you know which party I affiliate with? When people like you make assumptions, the old saying is only have true. You only make an ass of yourself.

half true