Tuesday, November 27, 2012

The Fiscal Cliff: Soap Opera Version - Episode 1

One cannot take the "fiscal cliff" seriously.  It was an artificially created problem when the Republicans demanded to extend the Bush Tax Cuts and simultaneously demanded to lower the debt - and held the debt ceiling hostage to this.  The Democrats contributed by inaction, too afraid to raise taxes or cut entitlements.
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As Lewis Black once said, "The only thing stupider than a Republican or a Democrat... is when these these assholes get together!"
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And so, they created this situation.  If nothing happens than:
1. Huge cuts go into effect equally to the Defense Department and the Entitlement Programs!
2. The Bush Era Tax Cuts expire.
3. The temporary payroll tax cuts expire.
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Of course
1. Happens over time - and won't kill anything.
3. Occurs to us poor saps that work for a living.
But #2 effects people that contribute to elections - so we have an emergency!
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It is boring and nothing much will happen in the end - "Grand Bargin" or not.  So let's look at it like a Soap Opera.
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Episode #1 - The Players:
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Democratic Senate Leader Harry Reid.  He is the Larry Tate of politics.  He blusters and waves his arms.  He says "I'll reform filibusters.  I'll delivery the Senate.  I know Mitt Romney hasn't paid taxes in 10 years."  But you know at the end of the night he'll be flustered, confused and trying to get his drunk ass into a car to drive home.

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Republican Senate Leader Mitch McConell.  Yes, he looks like a turtle, but don't let looks and actions fool you.  He is forever watching... waiting... and screaming to no effect.  He sees intrige where no one else does, and normally ascribes it to the wrong thing.  Yes, Mitch McConell is Gladys Kravitz.
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Republican House Leader John Boehner.  He forgets what he said and saw 2 minutes ago.  He has the ability to deliver almost no votes (see Eric Cantor in Episode #2 tomorrow).  When trouble happens, he sees nothing, he hears nothing.  He is Sargent Schultz.
 
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Democratic House Leader Nancy Pelosi. Can you believe she is still around?  She lead the House Democrats when they loss of the majority.  Now, most other leaders in that situation leave gracefully (or ugly - I'm looking at you Newt), but not Nancy.  She finds a way to stay like... like... like an unwanted house guest.


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President Obama.  Gumby.  That man can be sliced, diced and spread across multiple rooms and somehow get back together and stand up.  His strong point is not strength, per say, but persistance.  I just wish he would articulate what he has persistance for.
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And today's episode of "As The Fiscal Cliff Crumbles"... Senior US Leaders in discussion...