Fiscal Cliff: Democrats Stiffen Spine Against Trimming Benefits

[appleannie1]

President Barack Obama's re-election has stiffened Democrats' spine against cutting popular benefit programs such as Medicare and Social Security. Their new resolve could become as big a hurdle to a deal that would skirt crippling tax increases and spending cuts in January as Republicans' resistance to raising tax rates on the wealthy.

Just last year, Obama and top Democrats were willing during budget negotiations with Republicans to take politically risky steps such as reducing the annual inflation adjustment to Social Security and raising the eligibility age for Medicare.

Now, with new leverage from Obama's big election victory and a playing field for negotiations that is more favorable in other ways, too, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and other Democrats are taking a harder line.

"I've made it very clear. I've told anyone that will listen, including everyone in the White House, including the president, that I am not going to be part of having Social Security as part of these talks relating to this deficit," Reid, D-Nev., told reporters.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/17/fiscal-cliff-democrats_n_2150853.html?1353170613&ncid=edlinkusaolp00000009

[OldDem2012]

1. K & R. nt.

[joseph abbott]

2. CAn all be avoided if...

We have the 95% of the republican elected officals arrested for sedition under the Espionage Act. Those who have signed Grover Norquist’s pledge worry more about their political careers than they do about the nation. They have sacrificed their congressional duties to Norquist, a lobbyist. Under the Espionage Act, this is an act of sedition, and as such, they should be punished to the fullest extent of the law—we are a nation at war! Sign this petition, and have them arrested and removed from office http://wh.gov/X5pl

[Panasonic]

3. Death penalties OUGHT to be handed out against R's who signed the Norquist Pledge.

Starting with Grover Norquist himself - facing a firing squad.