Comments about ‘Letter: The approach of the fiscal cliff is causing difficulties for members of both parties’

This will go down to the wire, but according to sources familiar with the private negoatiations, a framework is emerging, that does involve compromise on both main issues.

If they agree too soon, each side will be accused by their supporters of caving too easily. The GOP would suffer disproportionately if we go over the cliff (even though the tea party likely thinks this is a good idea, maybe not so much as massive cuts in the military kick in).

Republicans need Democrats to propose raising taxes, and Democrats need the Republicans to propose specific cuts and reforms, and then the choreography can move toward an agreement.

Polls show that if a compromise isn't met the majority of Americans will blame repubs for the fiscal cliff. It's clear that the GOP is under far more pressure to compromise than the President. Which is justified, repubs have forced ineffective tax cuts for the rich down our throats for far too long. We've been paying too long for the richie's handouts.

I agree with 10CC. This will probably go down to the wire, but eventually a deal will get made.

Here's a must read book for every American who cares and is interested in trying to learn more about some of our recent history.

The book is "Who Stole the American Dream," by Hedrick Smith.

It's a very well balanced and carefully researched look at the roles played by both major political parties, several Presidents on both sides, and by increasing corporate greed.

Whether one considers themself to be conservative, liberal, or in between, this book should be one we all study and consider carefully.

What does "compromise" mean? To me, it means that you're willing to give up something of value to get something of equal value. In other words, both sides need to be willing to give up something of value.

Obama is demanding that the House raise taxes NOW and that he will reduce spending sometime in the future. That's not a compromise. A compromise would be the House raising $500 billion in taxes and that REAL spending cuts of $500 billion from a base line occur on the same day that taxes are raised. Playing games with numbers so that the "base line" is not what was actually spent, but some inflated number cannot be allowed.

More importantly, the effects of raising taxes must be fully considered. If raising taxes causes businesses to close and for people to lose their jobs, then raising taxes is not a viable option, because government spending would have to increase for welfare with even fewer dollars coming in as income tax revenue.

Businesses are closing because those owners who worked 80-hour weeks all their lives have had enough of Obama's attacks. They're not going to be the "patsies" any longer.

From what has already been reported, the negotiations have not really gotten started. Everyone is putting only their dream sheet on the table. They are so used to kicking the can, they think they have as much time as it takes. Until the clock nears midnight, nothing will happen. I only fear that by then it will be too late to compromise. Take the whole Congress to Camp David and don't let them out for Christmas until they have a deal.

WooHoo Mike, We agree.

We need more spending cuts than tax increases.

How about 3 to 1?

Come on Dems. Step up and cut some spending. Raise some taxes.

FIX THE PROBLEM!

Mike Richards
South Jordan, Utah

Businesses are closing because those owners who worked 80-hour weeks all their lives have had enough of Obama's attacks. They're not going to be the "patsies" any longer.

3:48 p.m. Dec. 2, 2012

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We went through this already.

You and your Customers can blame Obamacare all they want,
but the fact remains -

1. Obamacare hasen't even kicked in, you excuse is lame.
2. Businesses with less then 50 employees are exempt.
3. Additional costs are never simply eaten up by proftis, but are in-turned passed along by added costs to the product.

[Tell me, When the price of Oil per barrel goes up, don't you pay more for gas at the pump? or do THOSE companies simply eat the higher costs and go out of business? You see, you aregument ispure and utter rubbish.]