Democrats bargain in bad faith on fiscal cliff

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Monday said "fiscal cliff" talks are at an “impasse” and only President Obama can break the logjam.
Speaking from the the Senate floor, McConnell said Republicans have made a concession in the talks on taxes but that Democrats have so far refused to produce real spending cuts to match.

“The only balanced approach is one that includes real and lasting reforms. So Republicans have stepped out of our comfort zone. We’ve been clear about what we’ll do and what we won’t. And yet we remain at an impasse,” he said.

“It’s time for the president to present a plan that rises above these reckless and radical voices on the hard left, that goes beyond the talking points of the campaign trail, and that has a realistic chance of passing the Congress,” he added.

Some $600 billion in automatic tax increases and spending cuts will take effect in January unless Congress acts, threatening a new recession.

Following the election, Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) said that Republicans are open to tax revenue increases as part of a deficit deal but will oppose allowing income tax rates to rise.
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McConnell laid the blame for the slow-going discussion on liberal Democrats who are dragging their feet on reforms to Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.

“So we’ll continue to wait on the president, and hope that he has what it takes to bring people together to forge a compromise. If he does, we’ll get there. If he doesn’t, we won’t. It’s that simple,” McConnell said.

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It appears that the country better get prepared for some cliff diving because I think that is what the Democrats want.  Boehner needs ti make clear what the consequences of that will be for Democrats.  Republicans also need to have their media strategy ready, because they can expect virulant attacks from the liberals and their media cohorts.

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