Read the Associated Press news release that Barack Obama is willing to let the US go over the fiscal cliff due to Republican determination to keep Bush tax cuts in place for wealthy job creating Americans.
It may be just a bluff or a bargaining ploy, but the White House is signaling that President Barack Obama is willing to let the country go over the "fiscal cliff," a hard-line negotiating strategy aimed at winning concessions from Republicans on taxes.
It seems the negotiations are coming down to a single solitary issue for Barack Obama - tax rate increases on the wealthiest 2 percent of Americans (Ya know, the job creators!). Obama wants the tax increases and is willing to let the US economy collapse in order to get them, and the Republicans are caught in a game of chicken in hopes of keeping the rates as they are today.
Many other news agencies are reporting the same thing:
Obama: No fiscal cliff deal without higher rates.
Obama won't budge on top tax rates.
As I read the reports I am reminded of the wisdom of Solomon, none of which is apparent in Barack Obama's leadership, demeanor or personal integrity!
The Biblical story of Solomon's wisdom is recounted nicely here from the Wiki page:
Two young women who lived in the same house and who both had an infant son came to Solomon for a judgement. One of the women claimed that the other, after accidentally smothering her own son while sleeping, had exchanged the two children to make it appear that the living child was hers. The other woman denied this and so both women claimed to be the mother of the living son and said that the dead boy belonged to the other.
After some deliberation, King Solomon called for a sword to be brought before him. He declared that there was only one fair solution: the live son must be split in two, each woman receiving half of the child. The liar, in her bitter jealousy, exclaimed, "It shall be neither mine nor yours-divide it!" However, upon hearing this terrible verdict, the boy's true mother cried out, "Oh Lord, give the baby to her, just don't kill him!" The king gave the baby to the real mother. King Solomon's judgement heard throughout all of Israel and thought to be wise.
It very much appears that Barack Obama is willing to let the entire US economy implode (be cut in half) due to his crazed passion at punishing rich people for being a success. That is what this entire issue is boiling down to - Barack Obama hates rich people and he wants to punish them with higher taxes.
Now Obama knows well that the amount of new tax revenue derived by raising rates on the wealthiest 2 percent is nominal. It is measured in 10's of billions, which seems hardly worth risking the entire economy over when what we need is trillions in cuts! Barack Obama is trying to make a point here. He is determined to win, above all else! By hook or by crook he is going to punish rich people for their success.
I think Republicans should concede a tax increase on the top 2 percent. In fact, I think they already have, but Obama has rejected the increase proposed, and wants a much higher rate on the wealthiest job creators among us. If Obama is unwilling or unable to concede this point it shows that his goal is not the well-being of our economy, but the well-being of his power and sick, divisive desires!
Obama feels that leadership by blunt force is the way to go here. "Get me a sword and cut this rich baby in half". I think it shows foolishness and arrogance from a man newly re elected and in power for four more years. God help us all. |
