Going Over the Cliff

DON'T LOOK NOW,  but here comes the "fiscal cliff", as we are cleverly calling it. On january first, 2013, unless something is done, federal income taxes will increase for everyone, and spending will be drastically reduced, according to current law.

Spending cuts will be in every area from social security, other entitlements, the military, AmTrak, national public radio, the national endowment for the arts, etc., etc. Mostly things we can well afford to cut, and should cut, truth be told. We as a nation spend too much on too many unnecessary things, and, for a nation this size, our taxes are low. Hence, our enormous national debt.

This is happening because in the last session of congress, the congress, especially the republican controlled house of reps, and president obama were unable to reach agreement on a budget. So, once again, we don't have one (budget).

The situation become so acrimonious that finally an agreement was reached that if no agreement was reached by january first of next year, the taxes and spending cuts would kick in automatically, which was thought would prompt both sides to reach a gudget agreement to avoid the disaster. IN a stupid prideful game of chicken, the parties dared each other to the edge of a cliff.

But maybe it shouldn't be considered a looming disaster. In fact, maybe this fiscal cliff is the best idea that we've had in a long time, and we should merely let it happen. The horrible fear everyone seems to have of the cliff is that it might slow down or wreck the economy, driving it back into recession.

but how will we ever know if we don't try it? We do know one thing for certain: the fiscal cliff, raising taxes on everyody, and cutting everything, will most assuredly reduce the federal deficit and the national debt.

Of course, we may never have to worry about the fiscal cliff. We may never get there. December twenty first, twenty twelve, is coming first, and the world may end, and spare us the fiscal cliff.