Say NO to the "Fiscal Cliff" Deal

[Drunken Irishman]

26. I don't think you understand the stakes.

That's fine. I see that a lot on DU. But nothing changes if Obama skips out on this deal and we go over the cliff. In a week or a month, we're gonna have to debate tax cuts again and anyone who believes Republicans will just openly support any Democratic plan, even if it's a tax cut for 98% of the country, is fooling themselves.

So, what you guys are advocating is to go over the cliff, kick the can down the road in hopes that the Republicans will see their way and embrace that $250,000 tax level, which doesn't exist if you go over the cliff, so, you'll need to pass legislation implementing a tax cut for those individuals - but there is no guarantee the Republicans will come to the table and say, "sure, we'll support that ... we're fine with denying tax cuts for the wealthy". In fact, I'd wager they won't because they haven't already. That doesn't change next week, or next month.

Worse, you put the government in the position where we're now looking at tax cuts being held hostage by yet another major debate. The ideal scenario, obviously, would be that the Republicans would cave and support only a tax cut for 98% of Americans - but expecting that or believing that is completely idiotic. I think we all have seen the Republican games enough the last two years to realize they're not going to be on board with much of anything Democrats do.

So, we go down that path, we jump off the cliff, we get nothing right now, the taxes go up on all Americans, we come back, we debate, Boehner, maybe even Cantor as the new Speaker of the House, demands that we move the cuts from $250,000 to $500,000 and that's the only way the Republicans can support the bill in the House. Do you think the President then turns around and says, "no." and we're left with no tax cuts for anyone?

What you're advocating is for a fierce game of chicken that relies on a lot of confidence in Republicans seeing the light. I don't believe they will. What I think would happen is that we'd be back to square one debating how much of America should get a tax break - no compromises and no promises. Then the economy slides into a recession, jobs are lost, unemployment skyrockets, the stock market tanks - the world economy, which counts on the U.S. economy, fractures and slides deeper into recession. We see another global crisis ... more Americans are unemployed, but now they don't get their unemployment benefits because the Congress failed to extend 'em. And for what? A measly difference of what - $200,000?

Count me out.