FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
President Obama's plan to pay for the $447 billion jobs bill with higher taxes is dead on arrival.
Republicans are pushing back - insisting that tax hikes are off the table.
The White House says congress should pay for the jobs bill by putting new limits on itemized deductions for the wealthy... that includes deductions for home-mortgage interest, state and local property taxes and charitable donations.
In this case - "wealthy" means individuals who make more than $200,000 a year and families who earn more than $250,000 a year.
President Obama also wants to end tax breaks for oil companies and corporate jet owners... and cut out a tax break for investment fund managers.
The White House says all these tax changes would raise $467 billion over 10 years.
But Republicans aren't hearing any of it when it comes to higher taxes.
And that's not all they don't like... they've also rejected new stimulus spending on road projects, teacher salaries and school construction. they say anything that smacks of another "stimulus bill" ain't gonna happen.
On the other hand, Republicans like the president's proposal to give more generous tax breaks to small businesses... and the idea of pulling back burdensome government regulations.
So far, President Obama is selling his plan to pay for the jobs bill as a single idea. But realistically, there's no way that will ever get through a divided Congress.
Republicans say certain parts of the plan should be considered individually.
Here’s my question to you: Should tax increases be used to pay for President Obama's jobs program?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Justin:
Yes, cancelling the tax breaks on the richer Americans seems like the right thing to do. The job creators have had plenty of time to create jobs with these TAX BREAKS in place, but they aren't doing anything, are they? It's time to try something else. And the rich didn't get rich all by themselves. Quit being so greedy and selfish and help your country get back on its feet.
Chuck:
It should be paid for with cuts to foreign aid and military spending. It's time we changed our priorities.
Tim on Facebook:
No. Unless Obama can figure out that $250,000 a year is not rich. Only if you make over $1 million a year… Then I'm for it!
Steve in Phoenix, Arizona:
No, there shouldn't. This latest stimulus program will produce the exact same results as the last one! Because it takes money AWAY from the ones you're EXPECTING to create those jobs. Not to mention, when it costs $300,000 to create a $17,000 job - that doesn't sound like a sane idea.
Jon in Wantagh, New York:
The plan is specific and is a balance of tax cuts for all and modest increases to the 2% highest income group. It also promotes benefits to those companies who hire American workers. Obama is right and he has a well-balanced, fair plan. Republicans will do all they can to portray this in a negative light and drag this into the 2012 election.
Connie in Chicago:
YES. The elite and super-rich are bloated from stuffing themselves for 10 years with a heavy-laden buffet prepared at the expense of the working poor (middle class). Much to the chagrin of the Republicans/Tea Partyers, It's time to even the playing field and give the middle class a break.