I had thought that a little flexibility on the part of Republicans was called for in order to avoid the tax increases and economic damage associated with the so-called “fiscal Cliff.” I was pleased to see Senator Bob Corker float a proposal for raising revenue combined with entitlement reform.
I hoped that by allowing a small amount of revenue enhancement, that we could still hold firm on tax rates and get a significant spending cut. Allowing some revenue enhancement, I thought, would allow the President and the Democrats to save face and deal with the financial crisis, which I thought all people of goodwill really wanted to do.
I could not have been more wrong in my expectation of the President response to this offer at compromise. He has proposed a whopping $1.6 trillion in new taxes, $50 billion in new spending, and no real cuts. His “cuts” are double counting and sleight of hand tricks and vague promises of future cuts. Instead of moving closer together, he has moved the goal post off the field. He has absolutely no intention of cutting spending. He has not made an offer; he has lobbed an insult. Republicans should refuse to return his phone calls. The House should adjourn for the holidays.
Buckle up! hold on tight! Let’s just go over the Cliff together and to hell with it!
(For more on the President's proposal and the Republican reaction, read this Washington Post story.)
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