On Estate Taxes I think they made two changes: raising the rates slightly while also increasing the amount that is exempted - I think the first $5 million is exempted now, isn't it? The rate increase alone could make it seem like the millionaires are being taxed more, while the total amount they are being taxed on inheritances could actually be less because of the increase in the amount that is exempted.

I wonder if anyone has calculated the amount added to the deficit because of the increased interest rate the U.S. has had to pay since Congress failed to raise the debt ceiling the last time?

Were there really political earmarks in the final legislation passed by the House in the early morning hours of today? Tell me it is not so. Nascar got an earmark???

The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 is a bad deal because the measure locks in low revenue levels that will necessitate dramatic spending cuts in the future without new revenue generation resulting from economic growth. The question is what will the specifics of those spending cuts be during the debate on the sequester debt reduction?

At this stage of our anemic economic growth (2.5 percent) and the exponential march of tectonic shifts in the technologies of production that continue to destroy and devalue jobs, we need massive government investment via loan guarantees to stimulate economic growth and simultaneously broaden private, individual ownership in FUTURE income-producing assets with the result of creating "customers with money" and far less dependence on taxpayer-supported government welfare, open and concealed.

Until President Obama addresses the central issue of CONCENTRATED OWNERSHIP this exercise will continue with the result being no real ECONOMIC GROWTH in which EVERY American benefits as a FUTURE owner of the income-producing productive capital assets made possible by furthering technological innovation and invention, thus empowering them as "customers with money" who can then support the purchase of the products and services that the economy is capable of delivering. The issue comes down to Own or Be Owned!––whether the United States will become a country where EVERY American benefits as owners in its productive capacity or a minority of the wealthiest Americans dominate an otherwise slaved people––employed at low wages or on welfare and dependent on taxpayer-supported charity.

Taxes were increased on the 99% by letting the Social Security tax waiver expire. Also the higher $5 million opposed to $1 million inheritance tax give-away to the rich remains - Thank god! What ever would have happened to Paris Hilton!?!? She desperately needs the money for more blow. And how about Capital Gains Taxation?......

I understand the frustration with us progressives. There are things that are a bit bitter in the deal. Yes, it is true that those making "real" income (vs. "capital gains income") will see an increase but it is just the payroll tax being restored to its proper level.

The payroll tax cut was never meant to be long term. Yes, there will be a hit but I think most working Americans will understand. I am one of those Americans whose payroll tax will go up. I'll have to cut back on my expected savings transfer of $60/month but I'll try and make it up in other ways.

I would rather see the payroll tax cut being left out of the deal than seeing an issue with properly funding Social Security.

On top of that, the Republicans (in particular Boehner) came down to $400k from $1 mil for increasing tax rates. Yes, President Obama went up to $400k from $250k but I see that as a relatively small increase all things considered.

In my opinion, I think President Obama has a slightly stronger stance for the upcoming fight over the debt sealing. We did hit the bump since the votes were done in 2013. That can be an argument certainly. We need to continue supporting the president, continue calling our represetatives and sentators and make sure they all know what we want.

But most of all - we need to take back the House for the President come 2014 if we want true change to occur. If we want these tax laws to change that is how we can do it. 2010 is having a lot of repurcussions because democrats and progressives didn't come out and vote in large enough numbers to hold back the Tea Party and we are now seeing the result.

We've made the first small step in 2012 by re-electing the President and getting more progressives in the Senate and House. We need to continue this progress come 2014. It's right around the corner!

To quote Tom, "Tag you're it"

I couldn't believe the Democrats were calling this a good deal for the middle class, & saying they had averted a big tax cut for us-when for me, as a middle class, working person, my taxes will go up by $100 a month due to the expiration of the payroll tax cut. They must think that if they don't talk about it, we won't notice. I know, it "could have been worse," but how many times do we have to take consolation in that? I felt blindsided, too, because no one was even talking about the payroll tax cut, & then boom! It was gone. After reading Tom's comments, I am furious & feeling sold out, once again, by the Democrats & Obama. The middle class continues to lose ground as the rich get richer-and it's an even worse deal for the working poor, who really can't afford a tax increase. I don't mind paying more in taxes to get something, like single payer healthcare, or govt. funded public transportation...but to think that we are paying more to subsidize tax breaks for the wealthy & corporations...that's a real slap in the face!

Wait a minute. Legislation passed by reconciliation expires after 10 years? Isn't that how ObamaCare passed?

This deal was a loss for the American people, but a win for the Democratic Party. It is a small victory, but demonstrated the Republicans division and desire to obstruct. Obama wanted a 1.2 trillion revinue increase, but he only got half of it. That leaves cutting spending as the main way to reduce the deficit. Proof of the spending cut desire of Tea faker's is the denial of the Sandy Bill to even be brought to the floor. My fellow Americans and I know that if it was a red state that was hurt and needed relief the Republicans would not be stopping it. I am an Independant, but I cannot vote for a party that is so disgraceful.

Thank you, DAnneMarc...

I don't really know if dummy cameras work...someone sent one to me one time and it just looked fake...but anything, as a deterrent, is better than nothing. Yes, I know those surveillance camera kits can be pretty expensive. Good luck!

Also, you guys and gals are really pissed off at most things involving our Nation. What happened in the last forty years to make us all so angry is a subject we all could rant on about for hours. I guess it is better left alone for now. Or am I just too passive to continue?

No Fraud: I've learned that there is so much more to learn..and not to be lulled into a false sense of security by so-called authorities. Because once they screw us, they've lost all credibility...especially after they continue to screw ujs over and over again. "Fair is foul and foul is fair." As it has always been and forever shall it be. I very much agree with your assessment of the way things were and are...most foul indeed.

And just to add to some of the things you have pointed out another one comes to mind: Paul Dickson and Thomas B. Allen wrote a book called "The Bonus Army" about how WW1 soldiers had been promised cash bonuses called "service certificates" in about 1914 (at the beginning of the war). Eight years later, in 1932, the government reneged on those certificates, paying them only $60.00, in the height of a depression. 43,000 marchers, 17,000 war veterans and their families had camped in front of the Capitol in protest. Even Gen. Smedley Butler joined the protest. Gen Douglas MacArthur, fearing the veterans were "communist inspired", went in without Hoover's order to remove the veterans and used the cavalry with bayonets attached to their rifles, and used tear gas and tanks, chased the veterans and their families out and burned the shelters and their belongings. The next year, 1933, the beginning of the FDR Administration...Roosevelt had started the CCC..conservation corps...which helped some people ...but in 1936 he still would not approve making good on the bonuses and congress overrode his veto. But FDR was still adamant about not paying the vets and so sent many to work camps..one of which was down in Florida where a very hurricane killed 250 vets. Heck of a job...Brownie...I mean FDR. The New Deal whitewashed and covered up the facts.

And now the capitalist rats of our day wants to renege on Social Security and Medicare and other social programs while they squander all of it on wasteful wars and military industrial complex scams and programs to spy on the American people. They're playing games with our minds with gobbledygook like "fiscal cliffs". Watch the pea, watch the pea...place your bets and guess under which cup is the pea. Aww...sorry sonny you lost...Run along now to your mommy! ☮

It was really a rhetorical question of why he has to lie, it is obvious that he continues the left wing political campaign of class warfare and division. The beat goes on with this left- right paradigm. Talk shows think they need to do it to capture audiences and politicians do it to keep the people divided. It is pretty sick when they all treat you like sheep.