America will go over the fiscal cliff tonight.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

I'll drink to that! (darn - no emoticon with a glass of champagne!)

Whether or not it is a fiscal cliff or a fiscal slope or even just a fiscal toboggan hill, I think if would have been healthier all around if our elected officials could have found some way to 'resolve' their differences before the stated deadline. It is why I really don't like politics - too much game playing and juggling for personal power while the real focus of the objective - the good governance of the country for the well-being of all of its citizens - gets lost in process. I sometimes think we would be better off with a benevolent dictator until the majority of our politicians learn how to grow up and become mature, responsible adults. Then, too, I am reminded of Plato's statement in the Republic that anyone who really wants to hold a position of power should automatically be disqualified from doing so due to conflict of interests!

Edited January 1, 2013 by Kathryn41

[james&olya 1,121]

I'll drink to that! (darn - no emoticon with a glass of champagne!)

Whether or not it is a fiscal cliff or a fiscal slope or even just a fiscal toboggan hill, I think if would have been healthier all around if our elected officials could have found some way to 'resolve' their differences before the stated deadline. It is why I really don't like politics - too much game playing and juggling for personal power while the real focus of the objective - the good governance of the country for the well-being of all of its citizens - gets lost in process. I sometimes think we would be better off with a benevolent dictator until the majority of our politicians learn how to grow up and become mature, responsible adults. Then, too, I am reminded of Plato's statement in the Republic that anyone who really wants to hold a position of power should automatically be disqualified from doing so due to conflict of interests!

We have the government we deserve. The collective ignorance and lack of understanding of the issues by the electorate results in our electing some real bozos to congress. If we wanted to elect intelligent and reasonable people we could........, but it would take being at least a little bit informed and mature in our approach to the issues as voters.

[MyLittlePony 340]

No more taxes I pay enough as is.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

We have the government we deserve. The collective ignorance and lack of understanding of the issues by the electorate results in our electing some real bozos to congress. If we wanted to elect intelligent and reasonable people we could........, but it would take being at least a little bit informed and mature in our approach to the issues as voters.

I've used up all my plus ones for today otherwise I would put a plus one on your comments.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

I heard an interesting phrase the other day - that paying taxes can be considered a form of patriotism. When you think about it, it makes some sense. It means that we are willing to invest - collectively - of our own resources to help provide and support the mechanism that allows our country (States, cities, etc.) to function effectively. I am not so much concerned about paying taxes - I am willing to do so ; I am more concerned about the money being used responsibly and wisely in the best interests of my country and fellow citizens. I think that is where many of us run into problems - we have differing definitions of what we perceive as 'in the best interests'.

Edited January 1, 2013 by Kathryn41

[james&olya 1,121]

I heard an interesting phrase the other day - that paying taxes can be considered a form of patriotism. When you think about it, it makes some sense. It means that we are willing to invest - collectively - of our own resources to help provide and support the mechanism that allows our country (States, cities, etc.) to function effectively. I am not so much concerned about paying taxes - I am willing to do so ; I am more concerned about the money being used responsibly and wisely in the best interests of my country and fellow citizens. I think that is where many of us run into problems - we have differing definitions of what we perceive as 'in the best interests'.

Agree completely. If we want the money spent wisely we need to elect wise people who share the positive goals we have. Problem is that we are a very diverse lot of people so what I think is important may be utterly un-important to you. I want to be able to trust that my government has considered all points of view and decided a course of action on each issue according to the rights of the individuals, what is best for the country in both the short, but even more, the long term. If I don't agree with every vote cast but believe it was cast with those principles in mind, then I am OK with it going against me. What I have a problem with is when a wealthy interest buys votes to have his way to the detriment of the country as a whole. That should be treason!

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Agree completely. If we want the money spent wisely we need to elect wise people who share the positive goals we have. Problem is that we are a very diverse lot of people so what I think is important may be utterly un-important to you. I want to be able to trust that my government has considered all points of view and decided a course of action on each issue according to the rights of the individuals, what is best for the country in both the short, but even more, the long term. If I don't agree with every vote cast but believe it was cast with those principles in mind, then I am OK with it going against me. What I have a problem with is when a wealthy interest buys votes to have his way to the detriment of the country as a whole. That should be treason!

I agree completely.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

I have to resign myself to the idea the commies have won, and America is going to be Greece on steroids before the year's end. 2013 is going to suck big time for small business owners like myself.

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

I heard an interesting phrase the other day - that paying taxes can be considered a form of patriotism. When you think about it, it makes some sense. It means that we are willing to invest - collectively - of our own resources to help provide and support the mechanism that allows our country (States, cities, etc.) to function effectively. I am not so much concerned about paying taxes - I am willing to do so ; I am more concerned about the money being used responsibly and wisely in the best interests of my country and fellow citizens. I think that is where many of us run into problems - we have differing definitions of what we perceive as 'in the best interests'.

I think since over half every dollar I earn goes to some form of tax, if I get any more patriotic I am going to be snoring the Star Spangled Banner.

Edited January 1, 2013 by Run Herschel Run

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

We have the government we deserve. The collective ignorance and lack of understanding of the issues by the electorate results in our electing some real bozos to congress. If we wanted to elect intelligent and reasonable people we could........, but it would take being at least a little bit informed and mature in our approach to the issues as voters.

By god I agree with you for once.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

By god I agree with you for once.

I blame your physical condition:

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

I blame your physical condition:

:rofl::rofl:

[Ban Hammer 13,570]

I think since over half every dollar I earn goes to some form of tax, if I get any more patriotic I am going to be snoring the Star Spangled Banner.

[MyLittlePony 340]

tatement from President Obama on the Fiscal Cliff Negotiations:

----------------

Statement from the President

Leaders from both parties in the Senate came together to reach an agreement that passed with overwhelming bipartisan support today that protects 98 percent of Americans and 97 percent of small business owners from a middle class tax hike. While neither Democrats nor Republicans got everything they wanted, this agreement is the right thing to do for our country and the House should pass it without delay.

This agreement will also grow the economy and shrink our deficits in a balanced way – by investing in our middle class, and by asking the wealthy to pay a little more.

What's more, today's agreement builds on previous efforts to reduce our deficits. Last year, I worked with Democrats and Republicans to cut spending by more than $1 trillion. Tonight’s agreement does even more by asking millionaires and billionaires to begin to pay their fair share for the first time in twenty years. As promised, that increase will be immediate, and it will be permanent.

There’s more work to do to reduce our deficits, and I’m willing to do it. But tonight’s agreement ensures that, going forward, we will continue to reduce the deficit through a combination of new spending cuts and new revenues from the wealthiest Americans. And as we address our ongoing fiscal challenges, I will continue to fight every day on behalf of the middle class and all those fighting to get into the middle class to forge an economy that grows from the middle out, not from the top down.

[MyLittlePony 340]

by investing in our middle class, and by asking the wealthy to pay a little more. :dance: