Fiscal Cliff

[Section112]

Interesting posturing going on by both sides here. They will probably get serious at the last minute is my guess. I've seen estimates that say if the tax rates on the top 2% go up it will only make a small dent in fixing the problem. I believe we do need to raise tax rates a little but also have to cut spending and so far there are no real proposals to do that. There are real problems with the tax code that include AMT (which is now affecting far more folks than it was intended to do), the death tax and the complexity. I have no confidence that these knuckleheads on both sides will get anything done.

What I am flabbergasted about is that Geithner (the guy who forgot to pay his taxes by the way) is the lead negotiater at this point and he has asked that the government now wants permission to exceed the debt limit whenever they want? This in my opinion is the most ridiculous of all the proposals that have been offered and no one is talking about it. Talk about infringing on our rights - this request took the cake for me.

 

[HALL85]

Agree 112....they continue to exceed my expectations for incompetence and posturing. Without cuts we're going nowhere here and I'm still waiting for the President to show some leadership (which after four years of NOT leading, why keep waiting). Sequestration may actually be the most workable solution.

 

[SnakeTom]

It's very upsetting that neither side is willing to compromise. All they do is talk about how resonable their position is and point their fingers at the other side. It seems that the politicians of today feel that they were elected to represent their political party rather than the populace. The only way to accomplish anything is to work together. When will that figure this out. Maybe the soilution is to lock them into a room together and not let them out until a deal is reached no matter how hard they beg.

Tom K

 

[HALL85]

Originally posted by SnakeTom:

It's very upsetting that neither side is willing to compromise. All they do is talk about how resonable their position is and point their fingers at the other side. It seems that the politicians of today feel that they were elected to represent their political party rather than the populace. The only way to accomplish anything is to work together. When will that figure this out. Maybe the soilution is to lock them into a room together and not let them out until a deal is reached no matter how hard they beg.

Tom K

Tom, what's even worse is that they primarily focus on negotiating their points in public which makes the situation even more contentious. I agree...get behind doors and get it done. There is an awful void in leadership within both parties, with all the public posturing and grandstanding. I'm not sure Romney would have done much better, but this is Obama's greatest failure as President IMO. He goes on the road to make his point and bash Republicans rather than grab the leadership of both parties and lead them through the compromise process. Shut the "F" up and get something done...I'm sick of the same speeches over and over again, with no action.

 

[SPK145]

How about we try something new?

Lower all tax rates, eliminate all (special-interest) deductions, and enact actual (and immediate) cuts in spending (not cuts in the growth of spending).

 

[HALL85]

Originally posted by SPK145:
How about we try something new?

Lower all tax rates, eliminate all (special-interest) deductions, and enact actual (and immediate) cuts in spending (not cuts in the growth of spending).

Because that would take common sense, and we are a country of people that don't want to do the hard stuff like our founders did. Interesting stat last night...when Medicare was enacted with eligibility at 65, average life expectancy for a male was 67...now it's 76. It's a freaking math exercise that no one wants to recognize and move the eligibility for Medicare a lousy two years.

 

[HALL85]

Looks like on tax rate increase, heading toward a compromise of married couples earning more than $500K. Real battle will be around cuts though. Obama and Boehner have an opportunity to look like real leaders if they can figure out a deal, but both have done a poor job to date, so my optimism is tempered.

 

[Section112]

It appears we are closer to the cliff. I wonder if both parties want to just go over the cliff. Then they can blame each other. The Dems get more taxes but can blame the Repubs. The Repubs can say the Dems just allowed the biggest tax increase in history. What both of them are forgetting is that we are tired and just want them to get something done. Raise taxes a little and cut spending a little. That is all it would take but neither useless party wants to budge.

I really wish the electorate would simply just decide to not vote another one of them in again no matter what party they are in. But our sad electorate will just keep voting their party line. Just proves how badly we need term limits?

 

[HALL85]

What we need is a real third party.

 

[Bobbie Solo]

the Dems havent agreed to enough spending cuts? i disagree. Plus, the amount they have put out isnt whats holding up the other side. The Republicans wont agree to the amount of tax increases on the rich that the Dems have put forth.

You're both right about a third party though. Both parties are archaic and corrupt in terms of being at the mercy of their corporate donors. I wish we could get the biggest problem fixed first: campaign finance reform. take the money out of the electoral process, remove alot of the favors.

 

[HALL85]

Originally posted by Bobbie Solo:
You're both right about a third party though. Both parties are archaic and corrupt in terms of being at the mercy of their corporate donors. I wish we could get the biggest problem fixed first: campaign finance reform. take the money out of the electoral process, remove alot of the favors.

+ 1000...the system is beyond f-d up.

 

[SPK145]

Originally posted by Bobbie Solo:

the Dems havent agreed to enough spending cuts? i disagree.

There aren't any genuine, real spending cuts. What there is are cuts in the growth of spending with both sides pretending that these are real cuts to spending which is what is really needed.

Originally posted by Bobbie Solo:

Both parties are archaic and corrupt in terms of being at the mercy of their corporate donors. I wish we could get the biggest problem fixed first: campaign finance reform. take the money out of the electoral process, remove alot of the favors.

If they stuck to the Constitution that they all took an oath to uphold, they wouldn't have special favors to sell.

 

[smokeyforman]

Going over the "cliff" is what needs to happen for any meaningful deficit and debt reduction to ever occur. These morons signed up for this with every little bogus opportunity ("Super Committee" what a joke...) to avoid making necessary decisions. I am hopelessly optimistic that going over this cliff will shake up the corrupt buffoons that are ruining this country.

 

[shu09]

I tend to agree with you but I'm not a fan of the tax hikes on the middle and lower class if that does happen. I like sequestration and the other cuts though. Defense needs to be cut big time and entitlements as well.

 

[Section112]

They will come up with a stop gap measure of some sort and continue to kick the can down the road. Noone is being truthful. There is no leadership in either party. I really need to find a job where all you have to do is show up, you get the best health care program (not Obamacare) in the world, get paid well, get perks from lobbyists and get a kick-ass pension for the rest of my life and use public funds and donations to get reelected so you can do all of that.

 

[HALL85]

Originally posted by Section112:

They will come up with a stop gap measure of some sort and continue to kick the can down the road. Noone is being truthful. There is no leadership in either party. I really need to find a job where all you have to do is show up, you get the best health care program (not Obamacare) in the world, get paid well, get perks from lobbyists and get a kick-ass pension for the rest of my life and use public funds and donations to get reelected so you can do all of that.

Sad, but so true. I had to laugh about the reports that Obama "cut short his Hawaii holiday vacation"??? Really, do you think we fall for that BS??? Total lack of leadership in D.C. on both sides of the aisle. I hope those that want to cannonize BO's presidency remember his complete lack of leadership as Commander in Chief.

 

[Muggsy Blue]

LOL

 

[SPK145]

There's no leadership on either side, just the same old, tired rhetoric.

And there is no fiscal cliff, it's Much more of a slight fiscal slope.

 

[shu09]

Originally posted by SPK145:
There's no leadership on either side, just the same old, tired rhetoric.

And there is no fiscal cliff, it's Much more of a slight fiscal slope.

Agreed. The President, Speaker and Majority Leader have done an awful job on this. All three are to blame.

I actually believe it's in the country's best LONG term interest to go over the "cliff." SHORT term there will be some pain.

 

[HALL85]

Originally posted by shu09:

Originally posted by SPK145:
There's no leadership on either side, just the same old, tired rhetoric.

And there is no fiscal cliff, it's Much more of a slight fiscal slope.

Agreed. The President, Speaker and Majority Leader have done an awful job on this. All three are to blame.

I actually believe it's in the country's best LONG term interest to go over the "cliff." SHORT term there will be some pain.

Both sides can't seem to get it done (is anyone surpised???). At this point, even if there is a deal, it's going to be so limited, they are essentially kicking the can down the road once again. And for this, the President allowed the pay freeze to be lifted for Congress and the Vice President? Now doesn't that send a great message.

 

[PiratePoster]

They better work out a deal soon, I can hardly get by now with a wife and 2 kids. Economy's so bad I'm working as a security guard and couldn't find a position in my profession. Good thing it's an easy job, just watch a few monitors.......... have plenty of time to surf the internet and keep up with college ball..
This post was edited on 12/31 10:46 PM by PiratePoster

 

[Pirate6711]

It looks like a deal is going to be reached, if not tonight then by the 2nd or 3rd. There will be some portions that will delay the inevitable cuts for a couple months and Obama won't get his precious $250k rule (looking like $450k, decent compromise between Obama and Boehner's Plan B of $1 million).

 

[HALL85]

All that hot air for this bill?? What a waste....small amount of revenue raised on tax increase and BO ends up giving it to everyone on the payroll tax....and they kick the can down the road on cuts...WTF have they been doing? Totally disgusted with this crew in Washington.

 

[SPK145]

Originally posted by HALL85:

All that hot air for this bill?? What a waste....small amount of revenue raised on tax increase and BO ends up giving it to everyone on the payroll tax....and they kick the can down the road on cuts...WTF have they been doing? Totally disgusted with this crew in Washington.

Bad deal all the way around. This is what happens when sleep-deprived octogenarians run the country.

 

[bluerock]

620 million in new taxex, 15 million in spending cuts. That's a pretty pathetic ratio.. Four more years leaves us all doomed. Also, Bohener should be ashamed, to allow session of Congress close without vote on Sandy Bill.
This post was edited on 1/2 4:48 PM by bluerock

 

[Section112]

They really accomplished very little with this bill. They did nothing to help the future! Noone with a brain should feel good about this deal. When will the country wake up and stop voting their party line and throw the bastards out!

 

[HALL85]

The thing that blows me away is how people go to these political rallies and speeches and they cheer wildly for their candidate like they have actually done something. Maybe, we the public ought to start booing these idiots and begin protesting their incompetency when they do schedule an event.