Republicans entrench on taxes as Dems refuse to talk cuts

By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM)
12/6/2012
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

Fiscal cliff crisis looms larger.

Republicans and Democrats are moving farther away from a deal as both sides entrench. Republicans are preparing to draw a hard line on taxes as Democrats becoming increasingly reticent to discuss spending cuts.

Obama's hardball tactics may prove disastrous as Boehner tries to bring the President back to the table.

Facebook Delicous MySpace

Twitter Stumble Digg

More Destinations

WASHINGTON, DC (Catholic Online) - "We need a response from the White House" Said John Boehner as he urged President Obama to talk about spending cuts. Despite the fact the Republicans appeared almost resigned to some tax increases a week ago, the conciliatory move appears to have emboldened Democrats rather than bring them closer to a deal.

The national debt now exceeds $16 trillion and continues to grow, unchecked. Obama has insisted on raising taxes on the highest earners, a move that Republicans fear will stifle economic growth and recovery, while refusing to discuss spending cuts.

However, a revenue-only approach to the problem will not close the massive spending gap.

Now Republicans are giving the Democrats a taste of their own medicine saying they will not support any tax increases, not even on the wealthy. The move is designed to bring the Democrats back to the table to discuss the out-of-control spending that's ongoing in Washington.

Many Republicans remain willing to exchange tax increases on wealthy Americans in exchange for cuts in entitlement programs such as Medicare.

A failure to reach an agreement in the coming weeks will plunge the nation over the proverbial "fiscal cliff," a series of automatic tax increases and spending cuts that will be painful for both sides. It is widely agreed that going over the cliff will spark a recession that could last for most of 2013.

However, analysts think Obama has little to lose by going over the cliff, which emboldens him to play chicken with Republicans.

Public opinion polls already say two-thirds of the public will blame Republicans, rather than Obama, should the fiscal cliff be reached without a deal.

Given these numbers, Obama is in such a strong position he can get away, and may even get ahead, by letting any negotiations fail. By refusing to discuss spending cuts, he is already setting the stage for such a failure.

A change in public opinion may be necessary before Republicans can regain some chance at reigning in Obama.

� 2012, Distributed by NEWS CONSORTIUM.

- - -

Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.

Keywords: Obama, Boehner, fiscal cliff, debt, crisis, recession

NEWSLETTERS »

Rate This Article

Was this helpful to you? Very Helpful Somewhat Helpful Not Helpful at All

Would you be interested in more articles like this? Yes, I am Interested No, I am not Interested

Rate Article

0 Comments

Comments submitted must be civil, remain on-topic and not violate any laws including copyright. We reserve the right to delete any comments which are abusive, inappropriate or not constructive to the discussion.

Though we invite robust discussion, we reserve the right to not publish any comment which denigrates the human person, undermines marriage and the family, or advocates for positions which openly oppose the teaching of the Catholic Church.

This is a supervised forum and the Editors of Catholic Online retain the right to direct it.

We also reserve the right to block any commenter for repeated violations. Your email address is required to post, but it will not be published on the site.

We ask that you NOT post your comment more than once. Catholic Online is growing and our ability to review all comments sometimes results in a delay in their publication.

Name *

Email *

Comment *

Send me important information from Catholic Online and it's partners. See Sample

Post Comment