Postponing a tax increase on the $250,000+ bracket is a great way to say "we ARE raising taxes - just not for one or two yearrs" because we know that an extension for just that bracket would never pass an isolated vote in the Senate, or end up getting vetoed if it somehow did. The only solution is either to (a) make all the reduction extensions temporary or (b) institute a new $1,000,000+ bracket. I think most Americans would be comfortable with the latter option, as $250,000 is NOT wealthy in places like New York (or a lot of other urban areas in the country).

Likewise, the budget point shows that Republicans are delivering on their promise to rein in spending.

I just hope the START treaty ratification doesn't end up falling victim. It is unequivocally in our interest to ratify the new treaty.