The Oregonian reports Oregon House Speaker, Jeff Merkley, who is locked in a primary battle with Portland Attorney, Steve Novick, refuses to publicly support repealing Bush Administration tax cuts that primarily benefitted the wealthiest 1 percent of Americans.

The New York Times reports that families earning $1.25 million or more saw their tax rates decrease by 5 percent -- nearly double the rate of cuts middle class wage earners. More than 80 percent of the Bush tax cuts accrue to the wealthiest 1 percent of Americans.

Jeff Merkley should follow Steve Novick's leadership and call for a repeal of the Bush tax cuts.