Going Over the Fiscal Cliff

Before you waste your time reading this let me tell you that I am probably one of the least political people you might meet.  I do, however, have an opinion and that is solely what you are getting, an opinion.

I think all of our representatives in Washington are scared.  They are scared of losing their jobs.  The American people are getting a bit weary of hearing about the fiscal cliff and all that going over it will mean to us.  It seems to be the topic of the day and the night on every "news" channel.  We have heard from every talking-head and celebrity that has an opinion.  Every day we hear panels giving their thoughts.  My thought is that our representatives got us into this mess and it is about time they did their job and figured a way out.

It is now 35 days until the deadline is passed and we supposedly will go over the fiscal cliff.  Some Republicans are willing to consider breaking their "no tax pledge."  I understand why they took that position.  More taxes is not a popular political platform.  I have to say that our country's approach to fiscal responsibility is at best as rickety as a old chair. 

I would love to see our country find a way back to a balanced budget but it is beyond me how we can achieve this without a great deal of pain.  I liken our situation to health insurance many years ago.  Many insurance policies covered just about everything.  We got used to that.  Over the years the insurance companies' expenses became bloated and they started with deductibles.  The deductibles and out of pocket costs continued to go up as the premiums increased.  Now we are getting less and less for more and more money. 

We all understand that we cannot keep providing services without paying for them.  As the baby-boomers retire in droves it is putting a huge strain on Medicare and Social Security.  There is also Obamacare.  I totally understand what the basic premise of it is but can see where some will have problems with the cost of the program.  I, too, would like to see every man, woman and child have insurance coverage.

Even though we know many of the things that need to be addressed, no one is willing to give up benefits.  Unfortunately, we can't have it both ways.  I am not excited about the thought of taxes going up but I can't see what else we can do in the short term.  We need to do some serious belt-tightening.  It will probably be painful for many that are already feeling the crunch.

I doubt that our representatives will allow us to go over the fiscal cliff.  Both sides will have to give up a lot.  Negotiations will be tough on both sides.  Not everyone is going to be happy but this will be the first step toward fiscal sanity.  Mr. Grover Norquest is not going to be a happy camper but, you know what, I don't care. 

The situation has become critical and every option has to be on the table.  Hopefully our representatives can lead us out of the desert.  If we are lucky, it won't take 40 years to find the promised land.