The fiscal cliff and you
Here's a quick way to understand the battle over the fiscal cliff.
The fiscal cliff sounds like a nightmare. But it comes with real numbers that have real impacts on the lives of most Americans. Here's an in-depth look at them:
The fiscal cliff started to affect business decisions this fall. That's why you saw small declines in manufacturing in Friday's jobs report, for example.
It appears to be a worry for consumers now. The University of Michigan's latest consumer sentiment survey shows confidence dropping to a four-month low. That suggests households are concerned about a potentially sharp fall in their after-tax incomes.
The CBO data suggests they might want to be concerned.
The CBO estimates suggest the 20% of households with the lowest incomes might see their taxes rise by $412.
If you're in the middle 20% of income levels -- between $39,791 and $64,484 -- the average increase would be $1,984. If you're in the top 20% -- $108,267 or above -- the CBO is estimating an average increase of $14,173.
If you're in the top 1% -- with income above $506,210 -- the average increase might be about $120,500.
The threat of the cliff is the result of Congress' inability in 2011 to come up with a package that would satisfy everyone. It came after threats of a government shutdown, a downgrade of U.S. debt by Standard & Poor's and a short, intense panic in financial markets that sent the major stock market averages down.
The provisions of the cliff were part of a deal made by Congress in an August 2011 budget bill. It set up a so-called Super Committee of members of Congress and the Senate who were supposed to hammer out $1.2 trillion in spending cuts over 10 years. If they couldn't come up with a plan, then a mandatory combination of spending cuts and tax increases would kick
The Super Committee couldn't agree on a plan, with Democrats and Republicans essentially deciding to wait until after the 2012 election to make decisions.
The CBO sees the cliff cutting the federal deficit but also causing a recession, just as the economy is gaining some strength, that might not end until the end of 2013.
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On the other hand, if you believe more taxes are the answer, you obviously also believe the gov doesn't spend too much. In that case, feel free to write them a check and leave the rest of us alone.
quotes about the debt ceiling ...
"I could end the deficit in 5 minutes," he told CNBC. "You just pass a law
that says that any time there is a deficit of more than 3% of GDP, all
sitting members of Congress are ineligible for re-election." The 26th
amendment (granting the right to vote for 18 year-olds) took only 3 months
and 8 days to be ratified! Why? Simple! The people demanded it. That was
in 1971 - before computers, e-mail, cell phones, etc.
Of the 27 amendments to the Constitution, seven (7) took one (1) year or
less to become the law of the land - all because of public pressure. Warren
Buffet is asking each addressee to forward this email to a minimum of twenty
people on their address list; in turn ask each of those to do likewise. In
three days, most people in The United States of America will have the
message.
This is one idea that really should be passed around. Congressional Reform
Act of 2012
1. No Tenure/No Pension
A Congressman/woman collects a salary while in office and receives no pay
when they're out of office.
2. Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social Security.
All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the Social
Security system immediately. All future funds flow into the Social Security
system,and Congress participates with the American people. It may not be
used for any other purpose.
3. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan, just as all Americans
do.
4. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise. Congressional pay
will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.
5. Congress loses their current health care system and participates in the
same health care system as the American people.
6. Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the American
people.
7. All contracts with past and present Congressmen/women are void effective
12/1/12. The American people did not make this contract with
Congressmen/women. Congress made all these contracts for themselves.
Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career.
The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, so ours should serve
their term(s), then go home and back to work. If each person contacts a
minimum of twenty people then it will only take three days for most people
(in the U.S. ) to receive the message. Don't you think it's time ?
THIS IS HOW YOU FIX CONGRESS!
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