This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

Cliff Diving

Well, it looks like we're going over the fiscal cliff. For now.

As I write this on Monday evening, there has been no real progress on the, so called, fiscal cliff. I case you forgot, this is the budget mess congress and the president kicked down the road in order to avoid offending anyone before the election in November.

Remember when fiscal Cliff referred to a certain mailman's bar tab?

What it boils down to is this; Obama desperately wants to raise taxes on the wealthy and the GOP ( at least some of them) are against any tax increases. Speaker Boehner put forth a plan to limit tax increases to those making more than a million dollars a year, but the Tea Party faction shot it down. Republicans are pushing for spending cuts, which the administration is resisting. The Democrats want tax increases for those making over $250,000 a year.

Find out what's happening in Orland Parkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

My problem with the tax increase is that, without spending cuts, it will do nothing to reduce the debt and won't create a single job. Essentially, its Obama telling the poor and middle class, " Since I can't help you guys, I'll just stick it to the rich".Raising taxes on anyone, rich or poor, will only fuel more government spending. It won't reduce the debt or deficit. That's why the Tea Party opposes any increases. They get a lot of heat for that, but that is why they were elected. Imagine that, politicians who actually want to keep the promises they made to get elected.

The President has framed this as the GOP being willing raise taxes on the middle class and cut services to the needy in order to protect the wealthy. Most polls show that the public is buying that argument. The interesting part is that the congressmen that are holding this up were elected from districts that that haven't bought into it. If not for them, this would be just another political love fest with both parties agreeing to borrow more and spend more all the while ignoring the ocean of red ink that future generations will be drowning in.

Find out what's happening in Orland Parkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Now, I'm not saying that revenue shouldn't be looked at, but is beyond irresponsible to reduce our country's debt without cutting spending. This is like someone who has Peter Francis Geraci on speed-dial thinking that charging their kid $10 a month rent will solve all their problems. Especially if they end up blowing another twenty.

Here's what I think this will come down to; taxes will go up on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the GOP will go along with the president's proposal because it will now count as a tax reduction, not a hike.

This whole thing is nothing but window dressing. By raising taxes on the wealthy, Obama can score a win. It would be nice if he scored a win by fixing the economy or reducing the debt, but, as Lovie Smith says, " a win is a win". On Wednesday, the GOP can chalk up a win by reducing taxes on the middle class. All that for what?

If I were the Republicans, I would give Obama everything he wants; make him own this. In 2014, he will have to explain to the country why his tax hike didn't solve a single economic issue; didn't create a single job or save a single small business. He won't have Republicans to blame like he did last November.

This was never anything more than the president scoring a political win. I'm sure all those lower and middle class folks who supported him will be happy to see the Mitt Romneys of the world have to give up some caviar to pay their higher taxes. For a few weeks, until the reality sinks in that they're still poor and Donald Trump, uh, is still really rich.  

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?