Showing 143 comments for
The Fiscal Bluff

I have been paying into Social Security my entire working life. I don't consider it an entitlement. I consider it something I own. For folks who have not put into it it is an entitlement. Perhaps it could be "fixed" by excluding from entitlement those who themselves or whose spuses have not contributed?

Barack H. Obama was neither selected for nor did he accept his current position to enhance the stability ,morality or beauty of this wonderful nation. What does he really care about the "fiscal cliff" or any other consequence? He, his wife and his crew of czars lowered the bar ,but got what they wanted and will live "happily ever after"

I have paid into Social Security for 40+ years, Social Security is NOT an entitlement. I am a staunch Republican and Patriot, but the GOP needs to back away from Social Security cuts or there will be an overwhelming victory by the Democrats in both houses in 2014.

As Pat Buchanan said, the house should simply pass a bill to extend the Bush tax cuts and send it to the Senate. It will then fall on Reid and the genius to pass it or not. The monkey is then squarely on their backs. Or, more aptly, they are the monkeys............

According to the 2012 general election results,my opinion,and those of your readers,have little affect on those twits still waiting for free ice cream. The bamer backers never read your excelant journals.So my opinion,is like preaching to the choir. We need to work on that cow. Forget ice cream.

Both Parties are tap dancing all around the “fiscal cliff” trying to maneuver blame for the inevitable economic train wreck on the other Party. Why can’t they be realistic? No matter what “compromise” is finally made, the “train wreck” will happen and each Party and their media shills will blame the other Party. That’s the way it always works. So I suggest Congress simply do the right thing: Don’t raise taxes – just close loopholes and trim spending.

Great article. Unfortunately an accurate depiction of the current state of affairs in our country.

Again,showing all those pretty grafs,are only viewed by the fiscal conservatives,who subscribe to The Patriot Post,U.S. We need to work on that farm,that raises that cow.

STOP Obama's spending. Pass a budget with necessary spending and cuts only to avoid default. DO Not fund Obama Carde.

Although I am a staunch conservative, I believe the Republicans should submit a plan to keep the Bush tax cuts on all earned income under $250,000 at 35%, and have an increase of 1% more for earned income over $250k and under $500k, then 2% over $500k to $750k, then 3% from 750k to $1 million, and 4% for over $1 million, for a max of 39%. Also, for capital gains, use a similar scale, keeping the 15% for up to $250k, then adding as above up to max of 19%. This would give the dems what they want, taxing the "rich", and still keep the lower income earners at the present rates. Then the dems would not have the ability to say "you Republicans are just for the rich", and the so-called rich should be happy to pay the small increments shown above. This is a "real" compromise, not a fake one.

Im all for taxing the crap out of the rich--tax them hard. I also think a flat tax rate on the rest is fair. Dont touch my medicare or social security Iv worked hard for that entitlements my ass !!

About 20 years ago, I wrote to the RNC chair, that there was no difference between Dem. and Repub. behavior and effective policy. I got an empty meaningless response. The RNC is a gutless entity, witness Boehner's peformance before and since the election. It almost literally sickens me when I listen to the still empty and meaningless rhetoric coming out of the Republican leadership in the Congress. All of the commentary offered by the Patriot Post makes sense, as does much of that offered by conservative radio hosts, but none of it has any effect on where it matters, i.e., the Congress and the Presidency. I think we are rapidly descending into the abyss.

It indeed makes me sad that most of the people who voted for Obama's re-election have no concept of how more revenue is generated by lowering, not raising tax rates. We are in the fight of our lives, and we must win if our nation is to survive.

I think Obama is shy a few cards of a full deck like all the megalomaniacs who have come before him. He is willing to destroy everything for his marxist ideology even though it has been tried many times and failed each time. I once heard Ed Asner say that communism hasn't succeeded because it's never been given a fair chance. The mindset of these people is both loony and dangerous. There are now 150 million Americans on some form of entitlement and growing every day per Obama's plan. With that in mind it is small wonder that he won the election. The Grand Experiement as one of the Founding Fathers called our republic might be over.

Mr. Alexander,

I have sent the following message to both GOP leaders in Congress, Mr. McConnell and Mr. Boehner:

I am sure that you know the relationship of Federal tax rate increases and Federal revenues.

It is time for the Republican party to stand up to the Admin lies about "tax the rich" to solve our problems.

Please publish this editorial by Thomas Sowell to all members of Congress and to the media that might print it:: http://townhall.com/columnists/thomassowell/2012/12/05/creators_oped/page/full/

Also, here is a link to an editorial by Dr. Walter E. Williams that clearly indicts Congress regarding uncontrolled spending: http://townhall.com/columnists/walterewilliams/2012/12/05/future_generations/page/full/

Please use your position and influence to make this information and associated challenges known at the top levels of the Republican party and the nation as a whole. You owe us this effort.

Thank you,

Jim

The USA needs a grassroots call to ALL members of Congress to STOP the spending AND educate the people about the inverse relationship of taxation by Washington and Federal revenue.

If the real issue is Federal revenue, the "public servants" that work for us need to do the right things to benefit us all. Jim

onservatives need a better spokesman for their ideas or at least some cooperation from the media in articulating our philosophy. Its not that we want to cut spending because of OUR self interest, we want to cut spending in the interest of those who recieve gov largesse. Has any group on the receiving end of gov aid ever been benefitted? School choice, personal saving accounts for retirement, competitive health care alternatives--these things will help the poor. Public schools, public healthcare, socialized retirement saving is hurting the recipients of these services. Just think about it. If you won the lottery the first thing you would do is ween yourself from any government dependancy.

Actually, given some of the responses here at the Patriot Post (the tax them hard response was the most "interesting"), I think the best thing to do is for the Republicans to sit back and give the Democrats there every little socialist desire. Encourage them even. If they want to raises taxes on the rich by 4% ask them, why not 40%? Provoke them, push them. Let them auger this whole thing into the ground and when people start getting angry ask them if they have been hurt enough yet. If the answer is no, turn the crank some more until the answer is yes. Only then will people get off their rears and do something about it.

lets all watch how a miracle will happen at the 11th hour bi partisianship will prevail. The knuckleheads will all smile and walk to the cameras and state that the people come first and we gave up our vacations because we care.A glorius deal has been reached . OK what did you do the rest of the year???. The monkeys in the senate and house that were elected the last time out should not be re elected next time. I dont think any of the politicos now seated deserve to be re elected again. Thsy are all embarressing the USA in the eyes of everyone else. shameful !!

Mark and the Patriot Post trash talking McConnell and Boehner will accomplish exactly nothing. The people able to get things done are not in think tanks or opinion publications. They are boots on the ground politicians going to work every day doing their best to stop mindless left wing Democrats day in and day out. I wouldn't want to do it and can't for the life of me figure out why any Republican would stay there when they know they will take a beating not only from the left but also from petty little people on the right who think it is more important that all Republicans think exactly like them then it is to beat the crap out of Democrats. The Republican establishment showed up for the election and if the single issue or fringe elements had showed up we would have kicked the crap out of Obama and the Democrats easily. Conservative Republicans don't win election, pro choice Republicans don't win elections, second amendment Republicans don't win elections, low tax Republicans don't win elections, low regulation Republicans don't win elections, constitutional Republicans don't win elections and rinos don't win elections. It takes all of us to win elections and so long as we stand like dummies and fight one another we will get our butts kicked by the Democrats who as ignorant as they are still have enough sense to join together to defeat Republicans come the general election. We need to stop this nonsense and I mean starting yesterday it is just stupid.

Intellectually Obama is an arrogant back street organizer, emotionally he is a committed socialist, and spiritually he is a pro-Islam, anti-American, anti-Israel ideologue. These are the only obvious "transparency" features about this individual that have come into perfect focus during the past 4 years. He is more than a constitutional menace... the man is dangerous!

Raisng taxes will not make a dent in our debt. Social security needs to be reformed, one step would be to make SS payments only to those who have paid into it, and only after age 65. Get people off welfare as quickly as possible, it was accomplished in the 90's. This administration has put people on food stamps and enslaved them to government welfare. Get unions out of Government. This in itself would cut expenses by more than is even talked about. And lastly, get rid of Boehner as speaker. I would vote for Paul Ryan (my first choice would have been Allen West). Also, to get out of this mess if it is even possible at this point, abolish EPA, IRS (go to a flat tax system), get rid of department of Energy, Education, Commerce, Labor, and reduce size of everything else. We have way too many Government employees and way too many committees in Congress overseeing all this. Basically, we are toast because none of this will ever happen. I do not believe we can survive 4 more years of this administration as America,the Republi was lost in the last election.

There is nothing about Obama that is trustworthy, truthful, patriotic, wise, honorable, admirable, presidential for USA, law abiding. He is a Marxist, Fascist, and a want to be dictator of the world like a tyrant.

Regarding the so called "Fiscal Cliff", just remember the Congress (Republicans and Democrats) passed the bill AND Obama signed it. The conclusion I have to draw is that our ruling class determined that this is the best thing for the country. If it is allowed to happen, we reduce spending (starve the beast) and increase revenue to start paying down the debt (a good thing).
If everyone is worried that this is such a bad thing for our country, WHY DID MOST OF THE SAME PEOPLE THAT VOTED FOR THIS GET RE-ELECTED?

obama is leading us down the one-way road to financial disaster. We have to get off this path towards destruction. We may have some initial pain, but it could save us in the long run.

Keeping up to date with this socialist party stuff, I responded to my Congress woman Allyson's Email of voting for a tax on the upper class as, not what I, the People, stated to her in Heritage Email to her! In agreement with the article here written.

sooner or later, someone is going to have to bite the bullet. Yours truly is eligible for social security & medicare as we speak. truly, i want no part of either. never liked the idea of "mandatory contributions". do not want any party of "medicare", knowing full well, that it is placing the "Republic", that has offered an opportunity, to every citizen, that has ever lived in this nation, to succeed or fail on their own merits. it is time to tell "senior citizens", of which I am one, they are placing their children & grand children into "hock" for the rest of their lives. the numbers are now unsustainable, either we return a government of laws ("Constitution"), or we sink into the "tyranny of the majority". it is a bit of paradox, the word "democracy" is mentioned nowhere N the "Document", nor N the "Declaration", unless I am missing something. it appears the entire "democratic party" philosophy is "unconstitutional" & no one seems to focus on that idea.

murf appling southwind h s memphis, tn social studies, dept. amer govt

Between the democrats, obama and the "Go Along to Get Along" republicrats, we are so screwed!

Our small church will continue whether charitable giving is tax deductible or not, and many others will too. Mar Michael Abportus, I Bishop of La Porte, Texas.

Drop that House bill in Obama's lap and walk away. I agree 110%

When I worked in industry, I learned quickly to distrust anything done by committee. The formation of a committee to "study" or "fix" something generally meant somebody was trying to avoid taking responsibility. Committees also have an irritating propensity to devolve into circular firing squads when things go bad.

You said Obama has a Council of Economic Advisers --- are you sure that you didn't mean a "Clown-cil" of Economic Advisers?

Anyway, there are a lot of good suggestions and recommendations here that would do much towards slowing our descent down the cliff. Unfortunately, without a sympathetic Senate, many of them will never be accomplished. The House should, as some have suggested, pass the bill reinstating the so-called "Bush tax cuts," and then leave town for the winter recess.

Make all Bush tax cuts permanent! Let sequestration go into effect and BHO will be responsible for the consequences! You can't negotiate with this pretender! He did not get anything like a landslide last month!

“If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. The lie can be maintained only for such time as the State can shield the people from the political, economic and/or military consequences of the lie. It thus becomes vitally important for the State to use all of its powers to repress dissent, for the truth is the mortal enemy of the lie, and thus by extension, the truth is the greatest enemy of the State.”. - Joseph Goebbels, Minister of Nazi Propaganda

All our recurrent problems aside, why is it that no one has taken the most likely step to blow his anti-American butt out of th water? Donald Trump offered five mill to the wrong man. He should offer it to anyone who can produce Obama's school records, his travel records, and his Social Security records, which would indicate how he got a Connecticut number, among other things. Somebody knows where each of those records is, or what happened to them. Somebody can tell the truth. Make the reward big enough, and it becomes worthwhile. For merely 15 million dollars, we could have Obama impeached, and maybe imprisoned. Thoughts, anyone?

Vondell in Wichita, make up your mind. He can't be both a Marxist and a Fascist. How about a compromise, and we identify him as a Stalinist?

IMPEACH The Treasonous Obama Regime !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dropping the tax cut extension into the POTUS lap and walking away (metaphorically speaking) is apparently just what the Speaker has done. So criticism of his move is premature, no?

Senator Alexander, you have not impressed me with your performance. AFTER the election, you people need to FORGET about your little elephant and donkey lapel pins, REMEMBER the American Flag pin, AND TAKE CARE OF THE NATIONS BUSINESS. No deal on taxes? BAD Allowing the liberals to institute more harsh gun control? BAD The conservatives in the Senate are NOT going to get it your way, you are too badly outnumbered. So make the best deal you can for the country. If you continue to "stick to your principles", you are going to hurt the country, because LIKE OBAMACARE, the conservatives will have no input. PLEASE explain to me how that is good for the country.

I'm with Neil and Tucker, jump. Put the decision on BHO and walk away. The libs "slowing the deficit" plan is nothing of the sort.

I've paid into SS my whole life as well, and the fact is we've been screwed, so get over it. It needs reform, and more importantly, we need Conservatives in Congress (not RINOs). I do agree that those who have not paid in should not get any benefit, but that goes back to my prior sentence and the fact that liberals use our taxes to buy votes. And frankly, you're all missing the point - the Government should not be involved in SS, it should not be involved in welfare, it should not be involved in healthcare, picking winners and losers, etc., etc., etc.

NEITHER party is proposing anything substantial to rein in out-of-control spending. They're arguing over "cuts" (actually, slowing of growth) of less than $2 trillion over the next ten years.

Sure that's a lot of money, but when the budget over that period will be more like $35-$40 trillion, with something like $10 trillion of that astronomical figure being deficit spending, trimming a little fat here and there is not going to do anything to avert the REAL fiscal cliff that's on the way: a complete collapse of the American economy.

Each man, woman, and child in the United States owes over $30,000 right now, and that number is only going higher. Since about half of those mes, women, and children population will be paying NONE of what they owe, the rest of us are saddled with a debt that can NEVER be collected.

We might as well sit back and welcome the coming debacle, as it can only speed the reform that's so desperately needed, and the return of our nation to one rooted in responsibility and self-reliance, with charity gladly offered to those who need it, but little sympathy for those who are no more than parasites.

This drive towards the democratic socialist state will surely kill America and the credit rating will surely crash. Obama will be known in history as the African American who killed American Enterprise and America as a nation. Not as a world leader, great leader or anything else he thinks will happen. His children will bear the burden of his foolishness and lack of ability. He will be his own end and take down his family with him for generations to come.

The actions performed are what would be expected from a Muslim Terrorist to completely transform the United States.

I am sick of this theater of the absurd. Boehner needs to grow a spine. The fact that he is offering to close so called loopholes indicates to me that he is caving. Congress needs to do what is right for the country, and not be a part of this dismantling of America. Make your offer and walk away!

The Republicans will capitulate. They are not a viable opposition party. Boehner should be replaced.

Just sounds like “Business-as-usual” for the Closet-Socialist Party, aka the GOP. Look at their last several presidential nominees – every one a democrat-in-drag. You keep running socialists to then posture " well WE are LESS socialist than the Dims!"

Or you champion government-loving thugs like Allan West - Why would a supposed constitutionalist and conservative champion applaud the legislated rendition and indefinite imprisonment of American citizens without trial and without due process all on the mere accusation of “terrorism” by the President, and then pretend as if that power was not granted by the bill? Because, he is a fake conservative and an establishment thug.

In Montana, Republican Denny Rehberg ran a highly anticipated race for Senate against incumbent Democrat John Tester. Rehberg’s platform was just like Allan West’s; pro-Tea Party, limited government, thumbs up to the Constitution, and wrap up in the flag for good measure. Rehberg’s professed fuzzy feelings for freedom and limited government were undeniably false. His consistent support for big government programs aside, he voted for and viciously defended the NDAA. Yes, he lost to Dem Tester, because he lost TRUE conservative support. Another fake and a thug .

BONer and the GOP will end up caving in on everything

“People can actually be made to LOVE their servitude.” Aldous Huxley

Republicans need to grow a spine---gladly go over the cliff and take the heat from the press, but relish in the Democrats struggle to continue the "free stuff" for their voters.

Does anyone make/sell a U. S. Debt wrist watch? That's something I would wear every day.

I don't know about the rest of you but the last thing I would want is to be dependant upon the Federal Government for the Daily Sustenance of my Life. I have yet been unable to figure out how Obama got re-elected, one would think that after seeing his Devastating plan for this country, it seems unimaginable that people still drink the same cool-aide, and praise his accomplishments, which so far consist of Golf, Vacations, Increasing the Size of the Government to pay for the votes he got from people that are standing in the welfare line due to his policies. I just don't get it!

I saw an article this week that said, "This IS taxation WITH representation!" My immediate thought was, "Yeah....but who's representing my son and daughter, and my grandchildren? You know....the ones who will have to pay back the debt....unless they, like my family in the 1700s, said, "No, I won't!" Personally, I think that the fight should start now so that it won't have to be fought then. But with the RNC dead, and all, I guess it will up to the people to put the tea in the harbor.

Mr. Obama has been getting a lot of attention by holding the nation hostage to his demand for more taxes on one group, while claiming the Republicans are holding the gun. As a narcissist, he's got to be loving it.

It's time for the Republicans to take some prisoners of their own. They should send the Senate a copy of the bills they passed a while ago to defund Obamacare and permanently cancel the scheduled tax increases, plus double-digit cuts in the Departments of Education, Energy and Health and Human Services. They should inform the Senate and Mr. Obama these are the only appropriations for these agencies they will consider this year - either sign on or shut them down entirely. Also let it be know that at this point, Housing and Urban Development are not scheduled to receive any funding beyond what is needed to close it down and provide six months of unemployment compensation for its employees.

This will work if the Republicans hold firm; all bills for appropriations and revenue must originate in the House of Representatives, and the House does not have to concur with Senate Amendments. This is the very case for which this provision of the Constitution was written. It's time to use that authority. Yes, the rest of Washington will have a screaming hissy fit, but it's time those spoiled brats got a good whack on the rear for their defiance of the rule of law and flouting of common sense.

H.L. Menchen once wrote that democracy is the process of "giving the people what they want, and giving it to them good and hard." Never have words rung so true. Seems to me Obama plays politics like chess, always willing to sacrifice his pieces (all the while oozing mendacity) in order to win the game. To his opponents I say: Stop playing! Sacrifice your pieces and let the him win. It is the only way to make him fully own the impending disaster that progressiviem brings, and it thwart any chance he has to blame it on you. Am I the only one who sees it this way?

Conservatives need to acquire or develop stanchions of media. News outlets that are popular but truthful. Good personalities, enthusiastic & right on in their analysis of events.

Overwhelm the American people with straight talk - the real numbers, Profiles on the rich and political – How did the Reed family become wealthy in Nevada ? Or the Pelosi’s add so much to their wealth ?

Follow the money on each one, and prosecute – put their sorry butts in jail. Make it a horrific consequence to lie or steal from the people buy using the government or your authority in government.

Take money back from those found guilty of “theft by power”

If people were injured or killed during these acts of theft, then hang em high. The consequences of being bad in office has to be tough.

NY whatever - Rangall is a joke, and yet he laughs at all of us !! Stop the insanity.

Public officials lying to the public about anything is WRONG. There should be a law - yeah whatever !!

One other thing -
If I have to take drug test to have my job - so I can pay taxes, Then a person needs to take a drug test to receive assistance from the government (from my tax payments

What is the going on with our government? Socialisim will destroy Our way of life. All our veterans fought for our freedom , and this Idot, is casualy smileing as we burn. He needs to stop socializing, And get to work. He is no good at this job, if he worked for me I would fire him, actually hes so unqualified, I would never had hired him.

The U.S. general fund has taken 2 l/2 trillion dollars out of the social securitiy funds for "other purposes", and is unable to pay it back. Nice way to run a business if you can get away with it. So goes the country. We, the working class, paid that money in and the government spent it. How do you spell BROKE?

Just wait..."You didn't build that" will morph into "you aren't allowed to build that because it wouldn't be fair to others who can't build that". In the Obama future, we'll all be relegated to being beneficiaries of whatever the state can "build" by using us all as cogs in a machine, the levers of which will be controlled by folks like him who don't have a clue how to build anything useful.

I would support eliminating the charitable contributions deduction entirely. I believe President Obama is correct in asserting that this is not a serious factor in most peoples' charitable contributions. The biggest impact would probably fall on the wealthiest anyway, the people the president most wants to raise taxes on.

Consider too that eliminating this tax deduction would have a side benefit. Surely there must be some people working for the IRS who certify organizations as qualifying agencies and providing tax exempt numbers. Well, those people would no longer be needed.

I remember way back when, the deduction for state sales tax disappeared. Somehow, the country survived.

Anything that simplifies the tax code is an improvement in my book.

In any case, the purposes of taxes is - or should be - to raise money for legitimate national purposes and not to raise peoples' social conscience. Indeed, the ability to grant or deny tax exempt status give the government a voice in picking winners and loser in the public service "market".

Your arguments make sense but this is not a debating tourney. The goal should be to get your points of view enacted into law and for that control of the government is needed. As the elections of 2008 and 2012 prove, the clueless wonders in charge of the GOP have forgotten how to win; as long as they are the champions (by default) of the conservative point of view, the policies of the Socialists will continue becoming law.

Of course Obama was against Republicans raising the debt ceiling, but not against Democrats doing the same thing. After all, Republican spending doesnt generate as many Democrat voters as Democrat spending. Not quite, anyway.

In ju jitsu they teach you to use your opponents' strength and movement to defeat them. So, the Republicans should very publicly agree to keeping the tax rates as they are with higher rates on the 2% just as our Dear Leader demands, BUT with immediate across the board 10% cuts in spending, and on current, NOT phony projected budgets. This puts the Democrats in an untenable position, they cannot oppose "higher taxes on the rich" that they have peddled ad nauseum. But, lets face it, the reality is that the rich actually support Democrats because they are easily bought. Two shots in one; playing both ends against the middle exposed.

What would be their choices? Over the cliff, no, they would surely be blamed then. Counter offer, no, they would just look silly. Accept the Republican plan, best submit gracefully. Match by acclamation.

Obama and his cronies and sychopants are all a bunch of liars who obviously failed elementary school math. They created this mess, now let 'em get us out of it. He and they cannot blame Bush for this one, it's all your Mr. President. You created it, so you fix it. You can't negotiate or compromise with a rock. He has tunnel vision and only sees "His" utopia through rose-colored glasses, not realistically. So, get ready all you free loaders and "Free Stuff" people who reelected this dishrag, you are about to find out what living in a Third World Country is like. Republicans in the House, get your collective backs up and tell the great man that until he changes his tune, you will step back and let him drag the country down over the cliff. DO NOT cave in to raising the debt ceiling either. Remember what Charles Pinckney said in how to respond to the Barbery Pirates - "Millions for defense, but not one penny in tribute!"

Let's go off the cliff.

Let's go off the cliff!

The majority of House Republicans do not have the courage or will to leave town and let the "fiscal cliff" happen. The mess should be dumped in Obama's, Pelosi's and Reid's lap, where it belongs. Boehner and McConnell are embarrassing. I think they might be in the wrong political party.

Let's go off the cliff!

Send the Federal Government over the cliff, and bulldoze the mountain on top of them.

It seems that that the Patriot Post and others are beginning to realize that words don't solve problems. I hope they understand that it takes action to resolve the issues facing this country. I hope there is enough leadership in our congress to act as as patriots and cease acting like politicians.

I thnk Republicans are going to get the blame for what ever happens. Congress should not get any more pay checks until a budget is passed. They may never get paid if that happens but they ALL have lots of money and pay their far share in taxes now.

Synopsis: From a spending stand point this is only slowing the BLOATED big-brotherment spending. The "fiscal cliff" is really a speed bump on current path to demolishing the USA's common monetary infrastructure and making democrats (aided by their media bards) the new commun-house-monarchy.

We need to raise our revenue and lower spending. If none will compromise then let the fiscal cliff happen, at least we all are paying more and we will be spending less. I am a conservative, retired, and mad at our politicians.

WOW!!! This is the most accurate depiction of the status of our country. How any sane, thinking person actually believes the garbage the dems put forth do not care about the health of our country, they are only concerned about what the govt will give them FREE. The super-storm Sandy survivors ( the people who are "really hurting", aren't getting any help at all! We the people WANT ANSWERS NOW!!

I am a77 year old and have voted republican most of my life and believe Mr. Boehner is one who gives in .The Democrat party takes no prisoners and niether should the Republicans.They must re-submit the bills and programs already passed in the House and walk away Let the dems push us over the cliff themselves.The Dems will blame them anyhow. If they fail us now we may have to look to a new (tea?) party.

The time for talk is over. We need a full-on tax revolt. Our Founders showed us the way.

The only problem I have with dropping it in his lap and leaving town is the fact that such action plays perfectly into his plan. He is a master of deception and the main stream media give him all the help they possibly can. Together they will convince the majority of the nation that it was all the fault of G. W. Bush. And Obama will have succeeded in reducing the influence of this nation to that of a Third World country, which is his goal. We need a well financed ad campaign pointing out all of the major points of this article, over and over and over again. Then a letter campaign to every member of the House and Senate to let them know that their jobs are in jeopardy unless they abandon their current course of action and follow the Reagan example to make it right.

"when Ronald Reagan reduced tax rates, 'tax revenues went up -- not down' "

I think I would like to slap the next Republican whom I hear substituting "tax increase" with the phrase "revenue increase".

Creatively deceptive vocabulary is one of the many ways that liberals use to confuse issues. Can we at least refrain from repeating and reinforcing their phraseology?

As Dr. Sowell pointed out, a decrease in taxes does not always translate into a decrease in revenue, and vice versa. In fact, in our current situation, tax increases will probably do much damage to the economy and will result in less government revenue, not more.

"Voodoo" Economics 101: To increase government revenues, broaden the tax-paying base and allow the economy to expand.

It is time for a real tea party...

Obama has no incentive to avoid the fiscal cliff. If he does not make a deal with Republicans, taxes increase and military spending decreases. If Republicans agree with him, it is easier for him to blame them for what happens. Either way it is a win-win situation for him since his objective to destroy the middle class with higher taxes will be one step closer to occurring.

I hear a lot of rhetoric regarding this so called 'fiscal cliff' that we all know has been caused by excessive.spending. One of the primary causes for this is the increase in social spending to keep people on the public dole. Yet I recall that when the concept of welfare was initiated the intent was that this would be only a temporary 'crutch' to help people help themselves. Indeed, the government was meant to train those on welfare to obtain a wage earning skill. After the training, the government was supposed to help these now educated people find a job thus helping them to be able to stand by themselves. Of course, this newly educated, employed citizen would be paying taxes on his/her income in essence paying back what they were given. In the long run the people would not only pay back what it cost to have them suceed, but would also build up the fund to help others.

Bottom line is that this form of 'welfare' was quite a lot like the GI bill that enabled former military to be retrained for a better future. What happened to that 'rewarding' program? Such activity would only restore dignity to those who were 'down on their luck' & help them stand on their own two feet. Unfortunately we can see that this program was completely was completely reversed. Instead of being a boon to those in need, it has become an institution that merely holds people in slavery to the federal government.

I submit that this is not the way to live. We need to restore the original intent of program. We need to help Americans feel good about themselves and produce value for themselves & their family. Do we wish to be a truly free nation or do we want a people to remain slaves. I submit the choice to you as this will have the final answer to whether this nation will survive or fall as the greatest nation that the world has ever seen.

WHAT FISCAL CLIFF? THE FISCAL CLIFF STARTED MANY YEARS AGO. BOTH POLITICAL PARTIES ARE RESPONSIBLE ! HAVE SENT SEVERAL LETTERS TO THE SO CALLED HONORABLE JOHN BONNER(my spelling)- WITHOUT ANY REPLY. BELIEVE OUR GOVERNMENT IS NEARLY DOOMED. AS A
VETERAN MAY HAVE TO SHOULDER A WEAPON AGAIN.

Government spending is the problem therefore I would like to see a tax increase on the "rich" government employees.

For any pay period all persons paid via taxes or dues shall be taxed at 100% on all income greater than four (4) times the poverty rate.

If the American way of life is to survive, House members must have the courage to jump!

Why do we blame the debt on Obama. He can only spend whar rhe House lets him. The House has the power of the Purse. Just don't fund it.

It is in the democrats (progressives) interest to go over the fiscal cliff. First, they know their stooges in the main stream media will blame republicans, a tactic they hope will return a democratic majority to the House. Second, by allowing everyone's taxes to rise, more revenue will be raised, money much needed to pay for the next installments of Obama care, and finally, with majorities in both houses, Obama can ram through is progressive agenda.

Absolutely. Drop it in the Obamanation's lap and leave. The dictator needs to look at what is happening in Egypt when someone like him demands complete authority. WE ARE A DEMOCRATIC, CAPITALISTIC NATION. I have never, ever feared more what this tyrant will try to do to destroy all that we have accomplished. Cheney was right when he said that our allies no longer trust us because of him, and our enemies, I think , don't fear us because he is one of them.

What some responsible member of Congress (if there is such a thing) should do is get up on the Floor and repeat the Obamanator's words as argument against all this fiscal cliff stuff, see if that gets anyone's attention!

I wholeheartedly agree, the House should just pass the tax cut extension, drop it on the Obamantor's desk and leave town, let the chips fall where they may, let him blame the Republicrats for the mess and then see what he does to dig himself out. If he signs it and all the implications for sequestration go into effect its his problem, if he doesn't sign it he gets all the blame. The Congressmen with a spine need to stand up and be counted not lay down for this charlatan.

Lets take a straw poll every time we pay our taxes. Don't change the tax code, just allow choice on how your money is to be spent. For example: you could designate the percent of your tax payment that should be used for the military or deficit reduction or other constitutionally appropriate uses of the citizens monies.

Of course, any surpluses in a category should not be allowed to be used in another category. This would also apply to the opposite, if there is deficit of funds pledged to a category, then that area should have mandated cutbacks to available funds. This approach would also allow the citizens to review the previous years spending in each catagory to determine if they would like to see increases or decreases in spending.

This approach would also require a change to the 1040 form so that employees will know where their withholding will be spent, or better yet eliminate withholding so that each year all tax payers can decide where their monies will be spent. This will also allow non citizens a pseudo vote, at least in regards to the budget. It will also largely replace the congressional budgets that have been missing the last several years.

OSFOS Oh so full of salami. It's almost comical the way the right demonizes the President, accusing him of coluding with the 'communist' thus invoking the fears of generations born just before WWII and the end of the Cold War. The problems our country faced at the beginning of his term were monumental and he has tried to address them. One of them was the deficit which was dramatically accelerated by war in Iraq/Afghanistan was which cost $1trillion annually. Corporate profits are at an all time high. The car industry was salvaged and world wide banking was not allowed to default. The top 2% of those with income make more noise than the 22% below the poverty level and they are not above broadcasting lies, yes I said lies, to oppose the duly elected. Only by 50.9 % of vote. That's a majority. That's the foundation of democracy. Evidently some don't really like govt. of, for, and by the people unless they get their way. Stay tuned. By the way, Thomas Jefferson was an atheist.

Every time I see the word 'sequestration' I think of a castrated horse. Anyone else get that, or is it just me?

I think it's the 'equest' that makes me think 'equestrian' and the 'stration' that makes me think 'castration.'

Probably no coincidence, at any rate.

Your 'Dooms day plan' is perfect for Boehnner to offer and execute! It is an ideal plan and will make Obama look like the fool that he is. If Boehner doesn't propose it, then he is a fool I am certain Obama has no intention of working with anyone on a deal unless he get's everything he wants. He is like a little kid that wants everything his way and when he wants it.

Obama has been positioning himself to be Barack "Papa Doc" Obama, President for Life by the end of this term. And he will if we don't stop him.

Not a single tax rate increase on anyone As for Social Security not only have I paid for it I WAS FORCED TO PAY FOR IT OVER MY OBJECTIONS. I would have much rather paid into my own retirement plan.

Let 'er go .... when we're bankrupt, we'll have to go back to the gold standard as we won't be able to get credit. We'll HAVE to live off the revenue we have. That means that spending will fall dramatically.

Yes, we'll have a BIG recession, lots of folks laid off ... but, then, we'll gradually get back to a balanced lifestyle. It will be tough, but much better to do it now then to postpone it for several more years when the inevitable will happen, but we'll have a fire storm in the streets.

Enough already on increasing the spending. How much bigger does the Federal government need to be?
Can we find anyone with a little bit of backbone to say NO?

Obama will be to blame but the liberal media will cover for him and see to it that Americans blame the Republicans. Until things change in the media, as well as academia, don't expect anything else to change.

This pres that we have is unpatrioctic he is a mzazlam in the clothing of someone else. If he had any common sense at all he would get out of the way and let this country get back on track. He is just pushing for this country to go over the cliff which we have already done. He is pushing to shut down how many businesses and industries, just so that he can feel good about what he has done. This fake of a pres. has put how many people out of work and at the same time raised taxes to such a limit that soon people will not be able to pay. When will his treason be stopped, and bamba boy out in jail where he belongs. obama has committed so many acts of treason that many have stopped counting.

How is it that people cannot see what BO and the dems are doing to our beloved country? What a crime this is.

Korean War POW's personal mantra to successfully defeat his Chinesse Communist captors' brainwashing attempts: "Two and two is four. Black is black and white is white." N.B. Not a racial comment. Source, Reader's Digest article circa 1953 or 1954.

Since many agreee that Obama is an anti American who is collapsing this country through his seething hatred, why is he allowed to sit in the White House as a leader of the "free" world? Are not his words sedition? Are not his actions treason? Have the hated White men in Washington been effectively neutered? If Obama, is truly destroying this country, why are we letting him? Franklin

Here's something doubly worse than employees who "paid into Social Security" try being self employed and paying both employee and employer share, or twice what an employee pays. Then if you have been successful, saved and planned to retire, try being taxed on 85% of your money again that Social Security redistributes to you. The system is a big sham and a rip off.

It is apparent that the Rublicans are going to cave to our "Boy King" and thereby driving people like me away from them forever. I will hence forth support only Tea Party canidates. The failure to reform entitlements will assure us that they will not be available for our childern and/or grandchildern, certainly not in any meaning full way. As Margaret Thacher said Socialism is a great form of government until you run out of other pople's money.

socialism cannot exist with liberty and freedom. therefore, I believe BHO is an enemy of the state. the dems are okay with that and the republicans are complicit just waiting until they can have power again.

Our leader sounds more like Jim Jones leading us to Jonestown. That seems to be the scenario playing out with the same conclusion. We will ultimately all drink be forced to drink the poison koolaid.