What Obama Really Cares about

Begin quote from Time Magazine January 14th 2013 page 26 middle:

"So when it came to the fiscal cliff and the future of taxing and spending, neither side could get everything it wanted. Obama needed Republican votes to avoid a government inflicted wound to a frail economy. The last-minute deal that prevented a dive into severe austerity reveals what he really cares about: protecting the recovery and vulnerable more than reducing the deficit or soaking the rich. With the economy finally showing signs of strength after four years of painfully slow progress, that made a lot of sense--- even though many Republicans hated it, while many liberals howled that he had given too much to the GOP(Republican Party).

The good news for the White House was that in the end, Obama got most of what he wanted on taxes, though he did give up his goal of raising marginal tax rates on income above $250,000 to Clinton era levels. Instead he agreed to thresholds of $400,000 for individuals and $450,000 for families, along with an extention of tax credits for child care, tuition, the wind industry and the working poor."

end quote form middle to right of page 26 from most recent Time Magazine.

By championing the needs of those most vulnerable first, he got most of what he wanted. Since in the end most compassionate people want the same thing for our nation this makes sense. Though the deficit has to be addressed at some point too, if you take away everything from the most vulnerable people in the U.S. more of them are going to have problems, get sick and some even die in the process. By protecting the disadvantaged they have a better chance of surviving and prospering now and into the future.