No Win

The Republican Party seems to be in a no-win situation with this whole fiscal cliff fiasco.  A Quinnipiac poll taken two weeks ago indicated that voters would blame Republicans for failure to avert the fiscal cliff disaster by a margin of 54-27.  It’s no wonder, given the fact the media seems to focus primarily on Obama’s proposal to raise taxes on the “rich” but extend tax cuts, currently set to expire at the end of the year, for others versus the Republicans opposition to raising tax rates.  This focus seems to paint the Republicans as bad guys, willing to sacrifice the country in order to protect their rich friends. But is that really what’s going on?

I wondered about the differences between Obama’s proposal and the Republican proposal.  It appears the Republicans are proposing deeper spending cuts than the President and increasing tax revenue through an overhaul of the tax code; this overhaul includes lower tax rates plus an extension of the expiring tax cuts.  The President is proposing spending cuts, although less than the Republicans, but also proposing new spending of $200 billion in new economic "stimulus" initiatives, including payroll tax cuts, continued write-offs of business equipment purchases, extended unemployment benefits, help for borrowers "under water" on their mortgages, and new spending on infrastructure. In addition, the President wants the ability to increase the government’s debt limit without approval from Congress.

Although there are differences, it seems that both sides, if willing to compromise should be able to reach a solution. But the actions of some in Washington suggest scoring political points is more important to them than solving the country’s problems.  On December 5th, Mitch McConnell (R- Kentucky), took to the floor of the Senate and suggested an immediate vote on the plan that Obama offered up to Congress on November 29th.  Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada), immediately objected and shut down any chance to vote on the plan, calling it a Republican “stunt.” 

Both the President and the Majority Leader are from the same party, so why wouldn’t Senator Reid allow a vote?  Does Senator Reid not agree with the President’s plan?  Or is the Senator just playing politics?

I suspect the good Senator is playing politics.  Earlier this month, he stated "We are willing to compromise, but we also will not consign the middle class to higher tax bills while millionaires and billionaires avoid all the pain."  On December 20th, Senator Reid, explained the Senate’s inaction on Republican’s “Plan B” proposal by saying, "We are not going to do anything." He later added, "We are not taking up anything they are working on over there."  Considering that Plan B is similar to an earlier Democratic proposal, why wouldn't Reid want to take it under consideration, especially if it helps the country avoid the cliff.

In the last three years, the Senate, under Reid’s leadership, has not passed a federal budget, so I am not surprised at his “do-nothing” comments.  And, according to a Wall Street Journal article titled, “How ‘Cliff’ Talks Hit the Wall,” the President is prepared to use his upcoming inaugural speech and State of the Union address to blame Republicans if a deal isn’t reached. 

None of that sounds like people who are trying to avert an economic disaster.  It sounds like people who don’t care what happens to the American public so long as they can blame someone else. It’s time for members of Congress and the President to stop the games and do something to keep the country from going over the cliff. Not just short term solutions, but real, meaningful, long-term solutions that stabilize the economy and fully fund the government’s obligations. 

Tell our Congressional leaders it’s time for solutions.  Contact your Senator (www.senate.gov) or Congressman (www.house.gov) and tell them what you think.  Better yet, call (202-456-1111) or email (http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/submit-questions-and-comments) the President and let him know you want solutions, not games.  Failing to avert the cliff will cost us all.