After kicking the can down the road to avoid making hard choices in the face of an election, lawmakers now have just a few weeks to face financial reality for the American people.
Experts may debate whether it’s a “fiscal cliff” or a gentle slope, but everyone seems to agree that dealing with the deficit and expiration of Bush-era tax cuts is a must. (See Wall Street Journal video explainer.)
Congress set their own deadline to do so of Dec. 31, 2012, conveniently after the election. But with another election at least two years away, it's now time to do something about it. Up until now, each Party has blamed the other for the footdragging, but all indications are that the American people are tired of the deadlock in Washington. They're ready to see some compromise.
What would you like to see your congressmen concede in order to resolve the issue or do you think they should hold the Party line no matter what? What should Congress do to prevent going over the so-called "fiscal cliff?"
How do you eat a cow? One bite at a time. Our revenue vs spending relationship has gotten so far out of whack that it's going to take some time, and honest commitment to the national welfare in lieu of partisan rancor, to regain some balance. Congress needs to stop talking to the press and start talking to each other.
I personally think the Republicans should just give in, so long as there are at least a few hundred billion more spending cuts added, and protections for small businesses like contractors that may end up in that $200,000 range and hire people and may need to cut staff.