In a speech a few minutes ago, President Obama said that a deal on Fiscal Cliff negotiations was "in sight". Other reports say that tax rates will be raised on people making more than $400,000/year.
Ummm... correct me if I'm wrong. But didn't House Republicans already announce, weeks ago, that such an increase wouldn't be passed?
Has President Obama taked to those House Republicans? Does he have knowledge that they have now changed their minds? If so, why isn't that being reported?
I didn't think so. This so-called "deal" is as dead as yesterday's fish... or yesterday's tax rate increase.
Those Republicans campaigned for office on a solid promise not to increase taxes. Their constituents voted for them because of it. If they change their stripes now, hey know what will happen at the next election.
Plus, it would be just plain WRONG for them to break such a central promise. Not that that ever stops most politicians. But the Republicans have been suprisingly faithful to their promise so far - suprisingly, and admirably, faithful.
Keep up the good work, Republicans. The people who elected you want NO TAX RATE INCREASES. That's WHY they elected you. It's your duty to do exactly that.
And that's how our government works. So far, every "compromise" has always been in favor of increasing spending (hugely), and until recentlyears, in favor of raising taxes. It's time for compromises to go the other way. That's how out government works - with give and take.
Right?
------------------------------------------------------
AP Sources: 'Fiscal cliff' deal emerging - Yahoo! News
WASHINGTON (AP) — Working with Congress against a midnight deadline, President Barack Obama said Monday that a deal to avert the "fiscal cliff" was in sight but not yet finalized. The emerging deal would raise tax rates on family income over $450,000 and individual income over $400,000 a year, increase the estate tax rate and extend unemployment benefits for one year.
"There are still issues left to resolve but we're hopeful Congress can get it done," Obama said at a campaign-style event at the White House. "But it's not done."
In the building New Year's Eve drama, the parties still were at an impasse over whether to put off the automatic, across-the-board spending cuts set to take effect at the beginning of the year and if so, how to pay for that.
One official said talks were focused on a two-month delay in the across-the-board cuts but negotiators had yet to agree on about $24 billion in savings from elsewhere in the budget. Democrats had asked for the cuts to be put off for one year and be offset by unspecified revenue.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
