Late in the night on the first day of 2013 the House of Representatives hurriedly pushed for the voting of the ‘Fiscal Cliff’ deal that had just passed the Senate by a wide margin of 89-8. With a short period of small speeches by various Representatives displaying their opinions for or against the bill it was then passed with a vote of 257-167. Only 85 Republicans and 16 Democrats voted no for this bill.
There are several problems concerning the passage of this bill. One, the Senators voted on this 154-page bill only 3 minutes after getting it. This leaves them little to no time to read the bill, almost ensuring that many of them did not know the entirety of what was in it. Two, the House Republicans violated their Pledge to America that states that they would put all of the bills online three days before they voted on it so they could be “debated and discussed on the public square.” Three, there are $41 in tax hikes for every $1 in spending cuts. This will raise taxes on 77% of American households. What happened to helping the middle class? I thought both of the party's championed how important protecting the middle class was? And finally four, what were Republicans like Boehner and Paul Ryan thinking voting for this bill? There is a time for compromise but $41 in tax hikes for every $1 in spending cuts is not my idea of compromise.
This is not the time for Republicans to be caving, especially when the economy is as dismal as it is. Just the other day, the CBO came out with a report that stated that the deal pounded out by the Senate will add $3.9 trillion to the deficit over the next decade. Why would the Republicans agree to something that is only kicking the can down the road at best?
This is a time when we need fiscal responsibility, not so-called “compromise” that is only a method to gain political points. I think our Congress needs to focus more on doing everything they can to help subdue this runaway train that is our debt and less trying to become politically popular. They need to follow the likes of Rand Paul because I believe he is one of the very few members of Congress who are actually putting actions behind their words. Rand Paul stated that because this bill raises taxes and spending, it is a spending bill and will not help the economy. American citizens along with their congressman all need to take a step back and look at what this country needs right now. A big bill that will only add to the deficit in the means of trillions is not the answer nor is floundering for political popularity.
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