Democrats

A funny thing happened to our dysfunctional government. It functioned, unwittingly perhaps, but function it did. President Obama forced Republicans, unwilling to risk the political consequences of taking America over the fiscal cliff, to accept a $180 billion tax increase.

As Pete Kasperowicz reports in The Hill, some Democratic lawmakers have found the solution.  Solution to what, you ask.  Well, to unfairness, which is big this week, what with the effort to make internet businesses collect sales taxes and deal with the rules and interpretations of some 9,000 different taxing jurisdictions.

Legislators who voted in favor of Obamacare in 2010 appear to be getting jumpy as implementation of the law and their campaigns for reelection draw ever closer.  First, Max Baucus says he fears a "train wreck," when the bill begins to go into effect.  Then, he announced he will not run for re-election.  Now, as Robert Pear reports in the New York Times:

Congress is reportedly trying to exempt itself from Obamacare. "Congressional leaders in both parties are engaged in high-level, confidential talks" to figure out how to do this, Politico reports.

Congress is preparing to take action on a bipartisan proposal to raise taxes on flu vaccines. This is not a tax on the wealthy, but rather on a broad swath of Americans, or at least those who choose to be immunized against the flu.

Joe Manchin, a Democrat from West Virginia, says the gun bill will not pass the Democratic-controlled Senate today. NBC reports:

To understand the American economy, you have to answer four questions. How can it be that unemployment remains high at the same time the number of job vacancies is rising? Will consumers keep buying cars and houses at anything like the current pace despite the recent increase in payroll taxes? How long will Ben Bernanke’s Fed keep printing money to keep interest rates close to zero? Finally, will Washington do what the president asks and get out of the way of an economy “poised for progress”?

Democratic National Committee chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz made a special request of the United States Capitol Police for her staff members to be treated well during sequester:

MSNBC has hired a new producer. This one comes directly from the Democratic party.

As Mike Allen reports in this morning's "Playbook":

Wednesday night, President Obama spoke at two Democratic party fundraising events in California. A common theme was the challenge he faces in working with Republicans in Congress. At the home of Tom Steyer and Kat Taylor, the president gave Republicans a rather backhanded compliment: