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kentuck

(110,950 posts)
Fri Oct 26, 2012, 07:09 PM Oct 2012

What should Democrats do about the "fiscal cliff"?

The hype and propaganda is on full throttle. If we don't do anything, unemployment could shoot up to 12% and we could fall back into a "double recession".

Nothing will be done until after the election. The President wants to keep the Bush tax cuts for those making less than $250K per year. The Repubs, of course, want the Bush taxcuts extended for everyone. Will they be able to reach a compromise after the election?

If no compromise is reached, what should the Democrats do? Should they just go ahead and make the Bush taxcuts permanent, thus guaranteeing huge spending cuts for the future or huge deficits forever? Will the Democrats act responsibly?

Or will they bite the bullet and say they offered to compromise and the Republicans refused? And the economy then goes into a tail spin? Who is to blame?

What is your opinion on this matter?

16 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
 

HooptieWagon

(17,064 posts)
1. Cut spending to red states.
Fri Oct 26, 2012, 07:27 PM
Oct 2012

Keep education, SS, medicare, medicaid, food stamps and the like. Cut all non-essential federal spending though. Might even be able to balance the budget.

Autumn

(44,748 posts)
2. Drive the fucking republicans off the cliff.
Fri Oct 26, 2012, 07:30 PM
Oct 2012

The "fiscal cliff" is nothing more than bullshit created by the republicans and driven by them. They fucking created it let them fucking own it.

ibegurpard

(16,685 posts)
3. Republicans are running on cutting government
Fri Oct 26, 2012, 07:32 PM
Oct 2012

they can either start compromising or run that car right over the fucking cliff.
the choice is theirs.

 

RB TexLa

(17,003 posts)
4. How about this compromise. Let the entirety of the cuts expire and cut spending
Fri Oct 26, 2012, 07:42 PM
Oct 2012


Sacrifice today for tomorrow.

Bucky

(53,795 posts)
7. That's a cold way to wake up the public to the need for social spending.
Fri Oct 26, 2012, 07:48 PM
Oct 2012

A lot of needy people would suffer if we hit that sequester wall.

 

magical thyme

(14,881 posts)
5. there was a great article posted on DU about this a couple weeks ago
Fri Oct 26, 2012, 07:45 PM
Oct 2012

I'll see if I've got it bookmarked somewhere.

There is no fiscal cliff. There is a sledge hammer that Prez O can use to pound the GOP's tiny heads into the sand. All he has to do is stand firm.

Edited to add link. I found it! It's a very important GOTV read for anybody who thinks it won't make a difference who wins.

http://nymag.com/news/politics/elections-2012/obama-romney-economic-plans-2012-10/

 

alcibiades_mystery

(36,437 posts)
10. Jump. It's actually only 2 feet deep, and it ends in a balanced budget pool
Fri Oct 26, 2012, 07:55 PM
Oct 2012

Don't believe their bullshit. There is no fiscal cliff, and there never has been.

kentuck

(110,950 posts)
11. I think you are right...
Fri Oct 26, 2012, 08:27 PM
Oct 2012

But I doubt that the Democrats will follow your advice?

We will always be handicapped in every election if we do not call their bluff, in my opinion. If they don't agree to the tax cuts for the $250K and below (actually everyone gets a taxbreak but it stops at $250K) then let them pull the trigger. The ball is in their court. End of discussion.

 

hrmjustin

(71,265 posts)
12. Do not let the rich get their tax cuts. That is the most important thing. leave the poor alone.
Fri Oct 26, 2012, 08:33 PM
Oct 2012

Cut the military.

limpyhobbler

(8,244 posts)
14. Veto any cuts to Social Security, Medicare benefits, Veterans benefits, Medicaid or SNAP..
Fri Oct 26, 2012, 09:38 PM
Oct 2012

The President should take that position and stand firm.

It's the responsibility of the Congress to either send the President a budget he can sign, or override the veto with a 2/3 super-majority.

Take cuts off the table all together when it comes to vital programs people depend on.

Once that is made clear then they can negotiate over taxes and military spending.

If they feel an urgency to balance the budget, let them take it out of the war profit budget. Take it from the drug war budget. Cut funding for Spy Mountain.

The leaders should start talking about a financial transaction tax to change the revenue picture.

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