These fiscal cliff talks are likely going down to the wire
It’s always been doubtful that the White House and Congressional Republicans would reach a quick agreement to head off the end-of-the-year “fiscal cliff” — and as of Friday it looks even less likely. …
Among the reasons:
– There’s no real incentive for the parties to reach an agreement now. Markets may want an early settlement, but, as mentioned, the fiscal doesn’t start until Jan. 1 — more than four weeks way, a near-eternity in politics. Even after New Year’s Day, elements of the fiscal cliff phase in gradually, and a new Congress could always pass legislation retroactive to the start of the year.
– Negotiators will try to add things to the basic debt reduction agreement. Democrats and Republicans have signaled they want additional issues addressed as part of a fiscal cliff agreement; they will take the time to push these issues, and hope the pressure of the deadline will force the other party to agree.









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The fiscal cliff is a fabrication of the LameStreamMedia. It is more like a speed bump.
Why else do you think the drive-by media is talking about it? They never talk about what is important, such as dead ambassadors or voter fraud.
Give me a break.
platypus on November 30, 2012 at 12:14 PM
dc always does this when bills like this one comes up! They wait till the wee hours in the morning when all he!! will break out if they don’t pass the bills! Then those in dc go on the holiday leave out of dc and let the citizens get BOHICA without them hearing much about their vote!
THEY all stink!
L
letget on November 30, 2012 at 12:16 PM
The final deal will still be a national spine-breaker. The idiots are in charge and we’re doomed.
Bishop on November 30, 2012 at 12:22 PM
Bulding off of the two threads last night, the Republicans need to agree with Obama and simply go over the cliff. Then, rather than calling it the “fiscal cliff” call it the “democrat tax rates”. Never say the words “fiscal cliff” say “democrat tax rates”. Never let an interview go by without saying, “we’re going to enjoy the democrat tax rates.” After all, all the fiscal cliff is (outside of the defense cuts) is a return to the tax rates that existed under Clinton that are cited as the cause for the government “surplus” in the 90′s.
All the economic pain that will be felt must be properly defined. So don’t call it the “fiscal cliff” call it the “democrat tax rates”. For NINE YEARS they’ve been calling the current tax code the “Bush tax cuts”. That’s message discipline. We need to do the same.
Fiscal CliffDemocrat Tax Rates.Weight of Glory on November 30, 2012 at 12:25 PM
the rates themselves are not the monster problems..in fact i wouldn’t mind adding back the lower half of the population to the tax roles…(thanks W…for all your compassion)
the real problems are the AMT…which would seriously impact lots of people…and the estate tax…which would be a massive increase…even from the Clinton levels.
i remember Gebhardt bitterly complaining about the raise in the estate tax limit from 650K. After 1 jan it is 1M…which is probably about the same as 650K 20 years ago…but the tax rate is much higher..55…vs 34 (if memory serves)
the left wins big on all this…
But, the Rs must NOT cut Medicare or SS….so taxes will have to go up to support those programs…lift the SS tax cap would be the simplist.
Rs are playing with fire on Mediare…and i for one don’t trust them either. Barry’s goal is to fold medicare into obama.care…let barry be tagged with destroying medicare.
r keller on November 30, 2012 at 12:34 PM
Weight of Glory on November 30, 2012 at 12:25 PM
right, discipline is a hallmark of the left…and it is perpetuated by the media. Propaganda works!
It is a measure of the mendacity of barry that he would use the bush tax against against the Rs, by holding the entire country hostage to cutting Bust tax cuts if he doesn’t get his way…and yet demonizing those same cuts for a decade.
Bad actor is the term for these people…you can not negotiate with a person acting in bad faith…and bad faith and slick marketing is all the left/barry/media have
r keller on November 30, 2012 at 12:41 PM
“Who will blink first” – no kidding, this is the title at ABC, as if this were a game, a contest, and not a serious matter.
May all the media go to Hell. Suffocate in Obama’s azz, you fools. It’s not Beluga caviar.
Schadenfreude on November 30, 2012 at 12:50 PM
Let it burn …
let it be known as the Democrats tax rates …
every day …
while your at it … everyday someone should ask
Reid when he is going to pass a budget…
the R’s do not have the nads for that … either one of the above suggestions …
conservative tarheel on November 30, 2012 at 1:23 PM