Here is a (my) deal that might allow us all to move forward on the "Fiscal Cliff" issue [View all]

[kelliekat44]

Extend Bush tax cuts for all up to $500,000. (This would take care of a lot of small businesses)

Raise rates on over $500,000 income back to Clinton levels FOR THE NEXT 6 YEARS. Revisit tax rate issue in light of where the economy is in 6 years.

Allow primary home mortgage interest to remain as a deduction, cap second home mortgage interest deduction at 50%. Third home at 25%.

Increase Capital gains taxes by 3 points.

Leave Social Security alone for now. It doesn't impact the problem.

Somehow address the high commercial rental rates that are essentially crippling business investments and ventures.

Really clamp down and enforce criminal penalties for tax evasion, Medicare and Medicaid fraud, especially in nursing homes and rehab centers.

Raise the cap on payments into Medicare by 30% beginning next year.

Begin a real Public Health Service (not the sham system that currently exists and costs the government dearly for a practically worthless system) that actually allows graduating medical students to pay off student debts by providing quality medical care and health services to current Medicaid patients for a minimum of four years at the rate of debt repayment of $60,000/yr up to 6 years of service. Pay stipends to the students working in the system at the rate of 130% of the Federal poverty level in addition to free medical care for all students.

Begin a real Public Service in Excellence program for developing top notch teachers across the country. Provide for education cost pay-back similar to the Public Health Service suggested above.


Ok, that's it for now. You folks tell my why any of this is not a good idea or how it would be unworkable.