The grand bargain crowd says we have to cut benefits to lower the deficit. But if they were serious about reducing the deficit, they would not propose to lower the top tax rate for the richest Americans, which wastes trillions of dollars. If you want to cut benefits for working Americans while cutting the top tax rate for the richest Americans, it is abundantly clear which side you’re on.

Earlier this month, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said something courageous. He said we cannot afford to lower the top rate below where it was when Bill Clinton was president — 39.6 percent — even if we close tax loopholes. Cutting tax rates for the rich won’t help with the supposed goal of reducing the deficit, and it will exacerbate economic inequality — the last thing we need.

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The reaction to Schumer’s speech proves there is nothing in the grand bargain for working people. Republican leaders said no grand bargain is possible without lowering the top tax rate for the richest Americans. What they really have in mind is extending tax cuts for the richest 2 percent of Americans, at a cost of $1 trillion, and then increasing taxes on the middle class. In return for “generously” offering up higher taxes on the middle class, they think Democrats should agree to benefit cuts for Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare.

This deal stinks to high heaven, which is precisely why it is being negotiated behind closed doors. We say no to secret deals. Let’s have this debate out in the open. Do you think the American people really want to cut benefits for Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare in exchange for lowering the top tax rate for the richest Americans? I don’t think so.

Richard Trumka is president of the AFL-CIO.