Re: "Do they want to get something done?"
The trade deals (particularly South Korea) are especially important and, IMO, will pass.
But, with regard to the 'No Child Left Behind' reauthorization... opposition there is largely from Republicans and 'small government' supporters who are incensed that it is an *unfunded* mandate upon the States.
Now, if a one year 'patch' to the AMT problem is all anyone (from the President on down...) is talking about, then that is much ado about nothing.
And, of course, if the AMT problem is ACTUALLY FIXED --- then that will poke huge holes in the President's smoke-and-mirrors projections for future 'balanced budgets' --- since all of the budget projections that the WH has put forward, purporting to produce a 'balanced budget' down the road INCLUDE in their count revenues from an *unchanged* AMT bite, and the sunset of Bush's lowered tax rates, and the return of the bad old high estate tax rates, etc.
And also EXCLUDE war costs (hundreds of billions), not to mention very-much low-balling Medicare/Medicaid costs, increased under the new drug benefit addition.
So --- perhaps the questions should be: Does ANYONE really 'want to get something done'? |
