nation

Ironic, that at the time the fiscal cliff parameters were initiated, military spending, deemed one of the most bloated areas in our budget, was targeted. Now, with this deal, the military cuts are non existent. Before the working lower middle class starts celebrating, keep in mind that congress reached into your back pocket and grabbed 2% for social security; like it or not. And finally, don't forget to send your legislators a personal thank you card for giving up their mandated, automatic $900 raise this year. You might want to include a couple of bucks to help them out in these difficult times.

A message to Boehnher: A lot of Americans are wondering why you want to cut domestic programs while the USA keeps over 270 military bases intact around the world. Come back to us when you have reduced that number by about 80% and then we can talk about the next cuts. I suggest the welfare system be examined and the rules changed there first.

It's a sad state of affairs that the Bush tax cuts have almost all become permanent. That was a failed experiment that gave us these deficits in the first place.

The bad part of this deal is that most of the bush tax cuts are permanent. It would be better if they would expire in five years because long term they are not sustainable, as the past ten years have proven. The Clinton era tax rates across the board would be more appropriate in 2 or three years, if republicans ever allow us out of the recession they created.

Comment229:Why should they give up their raises it was an executive order from your President that continued raises for federal employees.

The deal represents 1 thing politicians from both side trying to save thier political necks by approving a deal that does nothing to adress the deficit, cut spending or try to save Medicare and SS. The GOP is an embarrassment, i for 1 have checked out, will not vote again and can rest easy knowing our broke government will take care of me until the day i die. I'm going to get in line like everybody else and get my hand out.

Easy fix, one by one, person by person- Change your federal withholding to 10-12. Stop contributing to the Govt coffers. Do same for state. Put the money somewhere safe, because you know they will come looking for it- BUT The appetite for spending will eventually be starved.

Love reading about the blame game. Both sides fail to realize that this was a partisan vote. BOTH sides agreed to this. Funny how so many are only angry with one side. :) If you do not like this give and take then of course you love grid lock correct? I understand and respect this line of thinking but one needs to realize what the outcome would be. When the last 4 presidential elections have been decided by less than ten percentage points, this kind of wheel and deal is exactly what we are asking for correct? We do not seem to want a clear mandate where one party is 100% in charge correct?

marcymmb: check the facts. This legislation happened many years ago when the embarrassment of voting for salary increases left a lot of politicians red faced. So they did the noble thing and made the raise permanent and automatic unless they voted it down; like they just did. Don't you wish you had that sweetheart deal? Now, do you want to delve into the world of legislative perks that they get that you and I will never see? No, this was almost a slap in the face to the American public.