Irony, n.

Irony, n. - A combination of circumstances or a result that is the opposite of what is or might be expected or considered appropriate.

The following is a list of tax breaks that will be ended or limited to pay for the jobs bill, according to the White House:

- Limit on itemized deductions ($200,000 individuals, $250,000 families)
- Carried interest would be treated as "ordinary income" rather than at capital-gains rate
- Oil- and gas-company tax breaks
- Corporate-jet depreciation would change


Mr. Obama's plan will end about $467 billion of tax breaks over 10 years, said White House Office of Management and Budget Director Jack Lew. The president has previously proposed ending the tax breaks, but has faced stiff resistance from Republicans. … The White House disputed the notion that raising taxes on the wealthy would hurt growth. The measures to pay for spending "are spread out so that there aren't negative impacts," said White House press secretary Jay Carney. … Mr. Lew said he thinks most Americans would easily end tax breaks for oil and gas companies and hedge-fund managers to spur growth. … "That is not a hard choice for most Americans, if the choice is creating, you know, economic growth and jobs, or tolerating the results of many years of inequities in the tax code," Mr. Lew said.


I think we ought to end tax breaks on White House Budget Directors. I think most Americans would support that. I also think most Americans would support tax increases that don’t raise their own taxes.


"This is the bill that Congress needs to pass—no games, no politics, no delays,"

President Obama said without hinting at the slightest bit of irony:

The White House is also taking a gamble that Republicans are willing to budge on taxes after getting bruised, politically, over a tough budget fight in the summer. … By choosing to end the tax breaks, the White House is likely setting itself up for a fight with Republicans. Over the summer, Republicans said they wouldn't end tax breaks amid concerns doing so as the U.S. is coming out of a recession would hamper the recovery.