Technically, these are just automatic expirations of unfunded, unwise, and un-American tax preferences for Rich People and the Corporations that love them.

So, if you didn't plan for that, I've got an unfunded deep bore tunnel to sell you.

the preference of the "sane" part of the GOP to let the Bust Tax Cuts finally expire has been in the news for several months. all this Fiscal Cliff argy-bargy is a lot about naught.

If we don't take the markets seriously when right wing pundits point to them as evidence of bad Democratic policies or good Republican ones, I don't think we should take them seriously now.

> FYI, markets closed strongly up today, so the people with money appear confident of something.

AAPL up 4.43% today, Goldy.

The deadline to pass legislation through normal channels was a week ago. Anything that happens now will be an agreement to pass legislation real soon now. Hopefully, they won't just set up another deadline for them to miss, but they will.

Watch for last minute additions to continue the unpaid for mercenary contingents ... oh, sorry, Military Contracting ... beyond budget.

Which, since it is the largest CONTROLLABLE expense, means any deal without massive cuts in that is in no way Fiscal Prudence.

Time to start paying the piper, and put China on notice we're not going to protect their overseas businesses or shipping lanes with US naval, air, or land forces like we do today.

Cause it ain't free.

Let’s Give Up on the Constitution

AS the nation teeters at the edge of fiscal chaos, observers are reaching the conclusion that the American system of government is broken. But almost no one blames the culprit: our insistence on obedience to the Constitution, with all its archaic, idiosyncratic and downright evil provisions.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/31/opinio…

Don't you people get it?? Our economy is about to run off a cliff! This is a catastrophe of Y2K proportions!!

Actually, there was a lot of real work recoding for Y2K. That it mostly didn't happen is because the work was done.

The fiscal cliff, however, is more like panic over snow. Sure, it could be bad and everyone could freeze to death, but most likely, a few kids will use cardboard boxes to slide around on, some snow men will be made, and we'll all have fun.

Too late. Damn democrats.

They all suck. A pox upon them.

I love that Grover Norquist's pledge is what caused taxes to go up.

If they vote today, they've raised taxes. If they vote tomorrow after the tax cuts have expired, they can say the voted for tax cuts for 99% of Americans. It's all semantics.

@11 FTW

They made a deal early new years day.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-250_162-5756…

* Tax rates: Current tax rates will be extended for all wage earners making below $400,000 and couples making below $450,000.

* This was a key concession for both Republicans and Democrats. Democrats wanted the threshold for tax increases to rest at $250,000 and Republicans didn't want marginal tax rates to increase for anyone.

* The estate tax: It was set to increase from rom 35 percent to 55 percent in 2013. Instead, the compromise sets the new rate at 40 percent with the first $5 million worth of property exempt from being taxed.

* Capital gains tax: Capital gains and dividend tax rates will increase from 15 to 20 percent.

* Alternative Minimum Tax: A permanent fix to the tax that would hit middle class families

* "Doc Fix": Doctors will be shielded from a massive reimbursement gap for treating Medicare patients.

* Unemployment benefits: Unemployed workers will receive their benefits which expired over the weekend.

* Renewable energy tax credit: The tax credit for renewable energy companies will be extended for another year.