I read Mark Alexander‘s Thursday article “The Fiscal Bluff – The Jackass Caucus’s ‘Grecian Formula’ for Economic Collapse.” I wanted to share part of that along with this image which aptly describes our country’s leadership.
Republicans are considering a “Doomsday Plan” of some sort if talks fail. That’s probably a euphemism for capitulation. Unfortunately, House and Senate Republicans are not led by the large class of “Tea Party” conservatives that arrived in 2010. They are still under the leadership of two men who have clearly contracted chronic cases of Potomac Fever after years of drinking Beltway Kool-Aid — Sen. Mitch McConnell and Speaker John Boehner. There are Republicans in the Senate who have a spine, and Republicans in the House who are sober.
Here is my recommended doomsday plan.
Point the House bill to extend the Bush tax cuts toward Obama’s fiscal bluff, put it in overdrive, set it on cruise control and leave town. The House has attempted in good faith to negotiate with Obama, much as a servant negotiates with his master, and with as much success.
Only Obama can sign legislation into law, or decline to do the same. If he fails to sign the tax extensions for all Americans, he will ultimately be responsible for the consequences. Likewise, he will be responsible for all the cuts mandated by sequestration.
Drop that House bill in Obama’s lap and walk away.
Of course, the only thing you will hear from congress is braying and mooing.
I think I like that, “fiscal bluff”. Nice double entendre there, as in “bluff overlooking the sea or valley”, or calling Obama’s bluff. But the Republicans will have to go public a lot, and point out that it was Obama at the wheel as the car goes over.
And whatever happens, lay in a good supply of Beans, Bullets, and Band-Aids!
Crotalus – I didn’t think about the equivalence of cliff and bluff and the alternate meaning of the latter – that’s neat.
Jim – We’ve got all that stuff plus some “quik-clot” just in case