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By Karoun Demirjian (contact) 
Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012 | 2 a.m.
Washington — In the past few weeks, the road to a "fiscal cliff" deal basically has boiled down to a series of negotiations and counteroffers between President Barack Obama and House Speaker John Boehner. But it may be Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid who has the last say over what fiscal plan advances in Congress — even if none of the proposals they are considering are quite the deal he might have made. For months, Reid has been stumping for a Senate-passed bill that would extend income tax cuts up to $250,000, allowing rates for incomes above that level to rise back ...
Do not cut Social Security Harry. Time to raise taxes on Steve Wynn and Adeledone
I find it extremely difficult to believe that Harry Reid want to pay 39.5% income tax, there has to be something going on, and Reid is hiding his wealth somewhere to avoid those kind of taxes. I would like to go off the fiscal cliff just to see what happens to Harry Reid and his family when it comes to taxes.
Senator Reid's involvement? Is that why we get no proposal from the Administration? They deflect and try to blame everyone else but they have PROPOSED NO SPENDING CUTS. Where is their low-hanging fruit?
Once again Roslenda you are incorrect. The latest Administration proposal is reported to have approximately $1.2 trillion in cuts over 10 years versus the Boehner proposal of 1.6 trillion. Neither party has clearly identified particular cuts other than in broad terms. The low hanging fruit is what? Please suggest some areas as both proposals will effectively cut the discretionary elements of the budget by 30 - 40 %.
Tax everyone who claimed to have voted for Obama with another 50% "fairness tax" should pay for any new Obama spending and balance the budget.
Its only fair because they voted for this clown and his car full of talking windbags being driven off the cliff by Reid. They are the ones who seem to think that money grows on trees in other peoples yards...
Anybody actually think Reid would raise taxes on himself and his sons? No way. He's just trying to wipe off his fingerprints, and as usual, blame everyone else.
Just as in the past, the revenue (taxes)will increase now and the spending cuts down the road will never happen. The current politicians will be gone and we will have just a bigger problem like our friends in Europe do today.
This nation has endured this fight for three years, its time to let it go and run its course. We as a nation cannot keep going through this political bickering and posturing. How do our politicians know what will happen, they did not predict the great recession in 2008. Every American needs to pay taxes, this country cannot survive on 53% of the population paying them. What was so bad back in 1998 prior to the Bush Tax Cuts, it appeared that everyone was doing fine financially until they found this explained wealth and live way beyond their means.
Let's give firebugs molitov cocktails.
Anyone that believes ANY agreement in congress with regard to the "fiscal cliff" and future financial health of this country is anything more than posturing or window dressing has their head buried...somewhere.
Let's pretend congress agrees on $3 trillion in cuts and new revenue over 10 years...so what?? Obamas BEST case scenario takes the country to $22 TRILLION in debt with no mention of as much as $70 trillion of UNFUNDED federal obligations due in the next 20 years. (somewhat less if you believe the S.S I.O.U.'s actually have value)
Do the math, the $300 billion annual fiscal cliff figure is nothing but a smoke and mirrors tactic to keep the current crop of washington clowns employed.
@ express445:
Harry Reid and any other person will never pay 39.5% in tax. The 39.5% figure is the marginal rate for income over and above $250,000 or whatever cut off is decided. Income below that level is taxed at lower and lower rates, all the way down to 0. These are the tax brackets, and each bracket has a marginal rate that applies only to the income in that bracket. In truth, the wealthiest may pay something like 17-20% in total tax, given deductions, credits and write offs they can take advantage of. For more information on marginal tax rates and tax brackets, contact your accountant or google those terms. Lots of information out there.
I'm for going over the fiscal cliff. It will raise taxes on the rich. It will cut wasteful defense spending and it will show how ineffective the congress is.
Stop the hate at Xmas, do not cut insurance payments to the old (widow Jones) , sick (tiny tim) and poor (Bob Cratchit), raise taxes on Mr Scrooge. (Donald Trump)
This is a perfect example of why there should be term limits for Congress.
Wharfrat: Stretching out the acceleration of spending is NOT spending cuts. Suggestions: That's what the administration NEEDS to propose. My first choice is to cut ALL programs and especially wasted defense spending in Europe, Guam, Japan, Korea, Afghanistan.... AND to eliminate refundable tax credits in toto.
Bob, going over the cliff also eliminates SOME of the refundable credits we give to illegals and "parents" who won't work full time.