Chic-fil-A Sandwiches And The Fiscal Cliff
What is a Fiscal Cliff? It is a term used by those who would scare the people, to convince them something dire is about to happen. Unless, of course, Congress and the President do what they should to avert it. Where is the news? The news will be if Congress and the President, a President not known for working with anyone, can come to some compromise to avoid the (drum roll here) Fiscal Cliff.
Actually, jumping off might not be the worst thing we could do. Automatic cuts to the military procurement system would occur along with some other cuts. Taxes would be raised on a lot of people. The economy, already sour, would get worse. Some people would lose the jobs they have, while others would have their hours cut back. But we’d still have ObamaCare to take care of us. Congress and the President would still get paid while Sue Myrick and her peers would collect their retirement checks. But that is just the Ruling Class. The rest of us might depend on better leadership. Since the President is not running for reelection, maybe he’ll lead the country for a change, although with his history there is small chance of that. Since Congress is not worried about their money, maybe they’ll come together to take care of business for all the people. Sure. Right. More likely the same old process will take place. Loud harsh words will be disseminated for the compliant press, stating how wonderful the President or the House or the dysfunctional Senate is. The people will be abused.
What should occur? Something along the lines of the Simpson Bowles Commission, but more broadly and fewer taxes. Taxes are the issue. Some of the special interests, concerned with what they get from others by way of government have already met with the President. The unions, whose management is concerned about their jobs the same way Congress and the President are concerned about theirs, want taxes raised and no cuts to benefits. Where is the compromise?
Years ago when Parks Helms, a Democrat, chaired the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners, he had a cute little saying about tax increases: the hit to taxpayers was only a Chic-fil-A sandwich and a side of ‘slaw a week. In the short run that is true. But it is the long run we should all pay attention to. For Helms, it was just another sandwich, soda, pack of gum, whatever, extra every year. But add this on to the one from last year and the year before and the year before that. And that is the nature of tax increases. Every time the higher tax advocates request a tax increase, say 10 percent, their opponents say zero and the compromise is for 5 percent. Then the next time the higher tax advocates request a 10 percent increase and their opponents say zero; the compromise is 5 percent and if you add the two increases together it is the 10 percent increase the advocates asked for to start with. Where is the compromise? There never was a compromise; it is a patience game. Higher taxes have no end until everything is taxed 100 percent. And that would seem to be the end the left seeks. If not, then let them say exactly what the maximum is. If not 100 percent, what percentage do they want?
What the opponents of more government need to do is start asking for lowered tax rates. Republican Commissioner Bill James has done this in the past. He should be joined by all who think we pay enough taxes.
Back to the Fiscal Cliff: Representative John Boehner and Senator Mitch McConnell will be leading the attempt to hold the line against a President who thinks a 300,000-vote margin in four or five swing states constitutes a mandate to abuse the taxpayers in order to pay off his political supporters. In North Carolina we’ve got Ms. Lisa Zerkle, who writes in the uptown paper that the Republicans in Raleigh shouldn’t govern as if they won. Would that she would give the same advice to President Obama and Senator Harry Reid.
President Obama doesn’t negotiate; he demands, threatens, whines, and frightens, but he doesn’t lead the people. He takes care of Barack Obama. But he’s the President. He should act presidential instead of like a Comedy Show wanna be. Of course, my wife thinks Michele Obama doing pushups during TV is a great way for the First Lady to behave. Maybe the Queen of England will show us her ability next.
Anyway, this Fiscal Cliff is the result of prior political shenanigans on the part of Congress and the President. It is about power and control of the economy, and the collateral damage will be the people who depend on government to be responsible. The people without jobs are already collateral damage. So far it doesn’t look like they’re going to have much of a future. If Congress won’t agree with the President about what should be done, then off we go. And maybe that would be the best thing to happen. Those who have voted for the President and his leadership will see what his leadership is all about. Would he rather we all fail than negotiate in good faith?
The people of the United States have allowed a great deal of authority over their lives to accrue in Washington DC. Taxes now consume 25 to 30 percent of all we earn. How much more? President Obama wants to tax those who do well, more and more. When will he stop wanting more? Will he show us he understands that entitlements must be cut? Or does he just want to tax those who work to pay off those who don’t want to work?
What we need are more people paying taxes so each of us can pay less. Will out President lead us in that direction or not? What is he really trying to accomplish? I still don’t know and he’s been showing us for four long dreary years. My guess is look forward to the double dip, because our arrogant President will have it no other way.
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