Republicans Pushing for Tax Increase

Just when I was getting ready to vote republican this next election cycle (for the first time in my life), they go and play politics with the American People's lives:

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/09/17/expiring-tax-cuts-hit-taxpayers-level/

Here's the deal: Obama wants to extend the Bush tax cuts for 97% of Americans. We can debate the benefits/disadvantages of taxing the rich later, but I can't imagine much debate from intelligent people on the goodness of keeping taxes lower for 97% of America in this current economy.

In an attempt to win electoral support, John Boehner (Republican leader in the House) is saying he wants an up or down vote on extending 100% of the Bush tax cuts. He's doing this so he can accomplish one of two things:

1) Keep the tax cuts in place for the wealthiest of Americans.

or

2) Go into the November elections saying to the other 97% of Americans, "See, Obama raised your taxes."

It's dishonest and bad for America. Both sides, Republican and Democrat, can agree on keeping tax cuts in place for 97% of us. Why don't the Republicans just come out and support that? They can then have their fight over taxes for the wealthy.

Of course, they will lose this last argument because the majority of Americans support higher taxes on the rich (I see both pluses and minuses to this but that's for another discussion). Considering how Republicans have been hammering Obama over not listening to the majority of Americans on health care, they know what a hard time they'll have keeping tax cuts for the wealthy if they don't force it through with this up/down vote.

It's disgusting and if I get a tax increase in January, I won't be blaming the Democrats, the blame will be placed squarely on the shoulders of the Republican party.