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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WE TRULY THINK YOU ARE ALL MISSING THE BALL IN THIS CLIFF THING. THIS ABUSE IN GOVERNMENT DID NOT BEGIN WITH OBAMA, BUT BUSH. THE PRESIDENT WAS GIVEN A HOT POTATO WHEN HE GOT THE PRESIDENCY, AND HE'S TRYING HARD TO COME TO TERMS OF LEFT OVER DEFICITS, LIKE MILLION OF PEOPLE HUNGRY BECAUSE THE ECONOMIC DEPRESSION LEFT BY BUSH. THE ABUSES OF THE RICH IN THE HOUSING COLLAPSE, THE FREE DEALINGS IN THE STOCK MARKET DISAPPEARING BILLION OF DOLLARS OF THE WORKERS. THE MILLIONAIRES IN CONGRESS LIVING A GREAT LIVE WITH OUR MONEY. THE RICH MAKING MONEY FROM THE WAR WHILE WE ARE HUNGRY. THE MILLIONS OF JOBS SEND OVERSEAS BY THE VERY LARGE CORPORATIONS TO MAKE A LARGE PROFIT ON US THE WORKING CLASS WITH NO JOBS. THE BAIN TYPE CORPORATIONS ROBBING OUR MONEY AND GOING TO CHINA, INDIA, MEXICO. WHY DON'T YOU PUT THE BLAME WHERE THE BLAME BELONGS AND GIVE A CHANGE TO THE COLOR PRESIDENT TO HELP ALL OF US!
ELBERT.....i KNOW IT WILL HURT YOUR PRIDE...
But please declare bankruptcy.......Maybe you can get some un-employ after that...
THEN RETIRE and go on SS and Medicare......You deserve it.....Go get it.
And to be further honest with as a Salesman in the that industry...
You should have saved more for retirement....No pension either ??
I know it was a tough life and now a tougher industry...
Part of the Family were from the Coal Mts.
I am a 67 year old unemployed sales rep in the coal mining industry. ( That's another subject better covered in another conversation. I won't argue the pros and cons of coal mining here.) My position with a large supply company was eliminated in August because of re-alignment of customer account responsibilities as the current slump in the coal markets in appalachia progressed. I have worked and paid taxes for 47 years but had only a meager retirement set aside. Unfortunately, this was depleted due to family medical emergencies. I needed to work at least another 3 years in order to reduce our debts and increase current retirement benefits. However, with my industry under such attack and being too old to change occupations, the prospects of going back to work are slim to none.
I see that the federal extended unemployment benefits are on the line now. These are all that I have to make it possible to maintain solvency. It is so sad to see our country in such a shape that the people that have made this country great and kept their responsibilities to society are faced with such a predicament. This burden is solely the blame of our politicians. I was always there to pay my taxes (their incomes) but where are they now that I need THEM !!!
Shame on the Obama administration for its war on coal mining and all the other politicians for their turning their backs on the working citizens!!!!
I'm sure that there are many good men and women who are depending on these extended unemployment benefits to survive. There is so many more wastes that could be cut that would not affect those that have worked all of their lives.
I am amazed by some of the comments. I hope some will realize that this administration is about 2 classes, the rich and the poor.
For years I have told my friends to VOTE out the regular occupants of office, as WE THE PEOPLE are to be the Government, and WE make the decisions of the nation. NOT a bunch of people who send people to prison for doing the same thing they do, ask Martha Stewart.
We are becoming what is called a THIRD WORLD NATION on purpose. I HOPE I AM WRONG, but there is nothing I have seen to disprove that. This president is going to eliminate the middle class, on purpose.
Best wishes this year, and if anyone voted for Oh-BOMB-A , sorry about all our luck, we as a nation have received what we deserve,too bad, its a LONG 4 MORE YEARS, we will not survive.
I think its great, You dumb idiots who believe the Democrats have it right about the taxes going up for the rich are full of the stuff that get flushed everyday.
The rich are going to do what the Govt. lets them do and that is pass the higher taxes right on down to you..even you dead beats on food stamps and welfare and crazy check getters are paying more at Wal-mart now. everybody will pay more federal tax on gas. Just how stupid can amreicans get.
Though repeated many times before: We need to collect all the taxes owed to the government and not raise taxes on the citizen who pays all of their taxes owed. It's time to close the loop holes and end free tax rides that many of the super rich and corporation are using today.
Maybe we should cut the pay of the elected officials or end their life time paychecks that they receive. I'm talking about the members of the Senate and the House of Representatives. Many of them hold high paying jobs and receive incomes from book deals and speaking fees. Maybe it is time to stop giving them paychecks when they no longer work for the American people.
If your going to end Social Security or raise it to an age that their is no way I can reach it(I've heard rumors of moving the retirement age into the 90's) then I should not have it removed from my paycheck.
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MARKET UPDATE
[BRIEFING.COM] The S&P 500 ended this week with a bang, roaring to a new all-time high on the back of stronger-than-expected economic data, influential leadership, and an ongoing appreciation for the Fed's monetary policy support.
The bullish bias was evident in premarket action as the S&P futures pointed to a higher start without the benefit of any definitive news catalyst. Stocks indeed benefited from a blast of buying interest at the opening bell on this ... More
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All hail the bull market, which ended the week with a big rally. But it also is starting to look a little like 1987, which suffered an epic blow-out.
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