It’s Cynicism All the Way Down

Posted on July 22, 2004 by Michael Froomkin

This may be one of the most cynical ploys in US politics I ever read about. And I read a lot.

New York Times, White House Helps Block Extension of Tax Cuts: The White House helped to block a Republican-brokered deal on Wednesday to extend several middle-class tax cuts, fearful of a bill that could draw Democratic votes and dilute a Republican campaign theme, Republican negotiators said

In other words, the only reason Bush & Co. support tax cuts is to use them as a wedge issue. Give them the tax cuts they ask for bipartisanly, they not only lose interest, but scupper it.

Fortunately, if recent polls are to be believed, President Lincoln was a better judge of the American character than PT Barnum.

Update: Apparently, PT Barnum may never actually have said that there's a sucker born every minute.

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8 Responses to It’s Cynicism All the Way Down

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  2. GeorgeMundstock says:
    July 22, 2004 at 10:25 am

    They only want to help the middle class if it buys them bigger benefits for the rich. Can’t help the middle class without getting something for the base.

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  4. grytpype says:
    July 22, 2004 at 10:45 am

    I think you meant “scuttle,” not “scupper.”

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  7. michael says:
    July 22, 2004 at 2:19 pm

    I meant scupper in what seems to be the British sense of the word: “to sink your own ship on purpose”.

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