Lets all go over the fiscal cliff

I think the MSM media has sensationalized the consequences of going over the fiscal cliff - the set of automatic spending cuts and tax increases set to take place on Jan 1, 2013 if Congress does not intervene - because it is opposed to government spending cuts. 

Which is precisely why the Republicans should go over it. The biggest economic problem in the US right now is out-of-control federal spending. The spending cuts included in the fiscal cliff are modest at best. They are, I believe (and correct me if I’m wrong) only about $100 billion out of a $3.7 trillion budget - in absolute terms. (In terms of baseline budgeting, it's another matter; but that’s a phony accounting trick.) Given the divided nature of the US government and Barack Obama’s implacable hostility to decreasing the size of government, this will be the only opportunity to do something substantive about America’s core problem in the next four years.

Obviously, the concomitant tax increases will likely not bring in much revenue because their existence will depress US economic growth, but given the present composition of the US government, this is the best solution that can be hoped for. Spending must be brought under control.

Republican strategists would likely retort that if the GOP-dominated House doesn’t agree to a compromise, they will be blamed for any and all negative consequences that follow. Earth to Republicans: you will be blamed for all negative consequences regardless of what you do, and the economy will continue to suck no matter what, because Barack Obama will effectively block any substantive reform. Given this, just do the right thing. In four years, the President’s party will be blamed for the overall state of the country. And electorally, that is all that matters.

Here’s a history lesson from Canada: in the early 1990’s, government budgets were out of control. Ontario, Alberta and the federal government instituted spending cuts. The press called these cuts draconian and predicted the apocalypse. In reality, the cuts were modest caps on spending in absolute terms (much like the cuts encoded in the ‘fiscal cliff’) that lasted a few years. But that was enough to completely turn around Canada’s fiscal situation. Instead of an economic apocalypse, the fiscal sanity ushered in a period of prosperity that has lasted to this day.

So bring it on.

Comments

[bmatkin]

Like you, Cincinnatus, I've been preaching the same thing for weeks now.
No matter what Boehner does, he is going to be the chump.

The key to winning this is to always throw it back at Obama while not really being sincere.

Something like this: While making an announcement about some bogus agreement with Obama, have an aide whisper something in your ear (this is on national television)
Say, "I was going to announce a deal with the President, but at the last minute the President has back out of the deal we cut, therefore, there is no deal" This is a twofer, you get to roll the media and the President at the same time.
In reality you never planned to compromise anyway.

[james]

They don't have 4 years due to the midterms. I think the best thing to do is just roll BUT say that you believe it's the wrong course of action. This sets up an I told you so...

[WiseGuy]

All great suggestions. I doubt the federal Republicans will do anything like it though. I think the GOP will continue to pander to the MSM, hoping (almost insanely) that they will suddenly like them.

If there is any hope in the US, it lies with the states, who are overwhelmingly Republican, and not afraid to behave like conservatives.

[Brandon Harris]

I would like to ask you to recommend other resources that carry info on this topic in case you know any of them.