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As Republicans and the White House continue to jostle over the "fiscal cliff," the public remains pessimistic about a solution and is largely prepared to blame the GOP if no agreement is reached.
A new poll from the Pew Research Center and the Washington Post shows that only four in 10 adults believe that the two sides will hammer out an agreement to dodge the fiscal cliff by its Jan. 1 deadline, while nearly half (49 percent) believe no deal will get done in time.
The $2.2 trillion proposal floated by House Speaker John Boehner was shot down by the White House, which said Republicans' rejection of tax hikes for the wealthy and sweeping cuts to popular social programs are unacceptable. NBC's Chuck Todd reports.
What's more -- in a trend surely being eyed by the Obama administration -- the public still appears ready to place blame for the impasse on congressional Republicans over the White House by a nearly 2-1 margin.
With a divide similar to public perceptions earlier in November, 53 percent of those surveyed said they would point the finger at the GOP for the failure of the negotiations, while just 27 percent say the president would be at fault.
The fiscal cliff counter-offer issued by House Republicans has one thing in common with last week's White House proposal – neither was designed to win any bipartisan support. The Daily Rundown's Chuck Todd reports.
While Democrats surveyed are far more optimistic than Republicans about an agreement (by 55 to 22 percent), all partisan groups appear uncertain about exactly what the consequences of the cliff's automatic spending cuts and tax increases could be. Only about a third of adults overall say they understand the effects of the fiscal cliff "very well," but over 60 percent say those effects will have a "major effect" on the US economy. But not as many respondents think that a tumble over the cliff will dramatically affect their own lives, with 43 percent saying the cuts and taxes would have a "major effect" on their personal finances and 35 percent labeling the consequences "minor" in their own lives.
Yuri Gripas / Reuters
U.S. House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) speaks during a GOP news conference on the "fiscal cliff", on Capitol Hill in Washington, November 28, 2012.
The survey was conducted between Nov. 28 and Dec. 2 among 1,003 adults. It has a 3.7 percent margin of error among its overall sample of adults.
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John812 Listen to Shawn. He knows what he's talking about!
If you don't think I know what I'm talking about you should look into what I said and do your own homework because I have actually followed everything very closely the last 4 years. I know everything Obama has said and done and it all makes sense once you understand WHO he is.
Just look it up yourself and you will see.
John812, paranoia on steroids.
Entertaining though...
Of course the public will blame the GOP - because the public is mostly math-retarded. Dems want to continue spending money that isn't there, and the GOP wants to keep us from bankruptcy and subsequent forced-placed socialism. The public are a bunch of spoiled morons who want their way of life to be floated by the wealthy. AMERICAN PROSPERITY IS OVER AS WE KNEW IT AND IN LESS THAN A DECADE WE'LL BE DONE.
Of course republicans will take the blame because the media is 100% behind Obama and the people want more free stuff from the government. And excuse me poor person. Do you think the rich should pay more in taxes? Who the hell would say no? Its not right for the country but so long as they arent included in the tax hike, they will say yes. A more important question is who gives a crap who gets the blame? The country is going down the tubes and the liberal media and Obama are more concerned about who gets the blame as opposed to fixing the damn problems.
A lot of wealthy Democrats, just want fair, it has nothing to do with free. I know that is a GOP cult word.
Put all of the rationalized justifications and criticisms aside and the "conservative" position of the Republican Party that firmlly and stubbornly advocates no increase in taxes for the very wealthy, literally benefits only the very few, "the money" who work to own and control the party. It has been repeatedly demonstrated and then totally proven by Bush-Cheney that the "trickle down" theory is a complete fraud that just makes the wealthy wealthier and is simply aimed to solicit political support and besides that, the multiple Bush Tax Cuts are heavily weighted to favor the very wealthy and letting them expire would be realistic and responsible action. The only way the Republicans will ever get responsibly and honestly on board with that reality is when they feel the pressure from the majority is stronger than the pressure from "the money".
I am as cynical as anyone else on here. I do trash the "Republiclowns" in Congress. But, the truth is, a lot of well meaning, intelligent people are sitting in Washington, and most are as commited to thier agenda as they believe it to be correct. I agree to disagree with the FAR right extreme, and also disagree with over the top liberal left give-aways and spending. Both Republicans and Democrats want the same things, safe streets, affordable housing, good education, ect. ect. we just have different views of how to get there. During one exit poll conducted during the last election, 70% of voters considered themselves "moderate" Where are the moderates that should be representing us? Its either right or left. How can we get anything done?
The right will not criticize itself any more than the left will criticize itself so if don't listen or watch any conservative outlets then you are being played.
Once you look into exactly who Obama's czars are and read or listen to the book "the roots of Obama's rage" you will start to understand what is going on.
interestingly, there is no breakout of these "Americans" so we don't know how many are independents (like myself), Rs or D's. I suspect if you took a sampling of 100 Americans -- 33% R's, 33% Independents and 34% D's you'd get a far different response. let's face it, we're going over the cliff because neither party is willing to actually put the American people before their party ideology and self interest.
Im blaming the president. The president is the one that needs to bring everyone together. All Obama is saying is "raise taxes on the top 2%". The GOP will do that mr. president if you agree on cutting down on spending! Until when are you going to spend like a maniac and ask the people to pay more in taxes? This president seriously doesnt know how everything works in this country. Maybe send him back to Kenya?
Brian, the President's plan is much more than just raising taxes on the top 2 percent. You can read it here: http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=president's%20deficit%20reduction%20plan&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CDAQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.whitehouse.gov%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fomb%2Fbudget%2Ffy2012%2Fassets%2Fjointcommitteereport.pdf&ei=J16-UK7LN4bDyQGhu4GIDw&usg=AFQjCNGTM_r9h91rl7bt-iLkJ8OlmQEb0A
Your point about sending the President back to Kenya is childish and does nobody any good.
The public would blame the Republicans more? Well, duh ....
Oh who cares if the GOP is blamed? We lost the election anyways and plus, the GOP will be blamed for anything regardless. Even if the GOP agrees and gives everything Obama wants, the left wing nut job media will say "The GOP forced to cave in" or some other bull crap.
Brian, they give everything Obama wants? On what planet?
And ya know what? We're still blaming those poor Japanese for the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Free clue, there is no expiration date on events and their impacts. I hear very little defending the results of the previous administration, just a lot of "stop it"...
But Obama would, rightly so, be blamed for the terrible recession that results from his intransigence and the whole country (except the legislation) would suffer for it.
No one, and I mean no one can understand why the right's leadership has dug its heels in on this one. Even the wealthy support increased taxes. There's a l-o-n-g history that supports the fact that taxes do not influence the economy.
So what it is it? Why aren't they articulating anything beyond the "job killing" lie?
Answer: politics - Period. The right is once again holding the country hostage.
What a profoundly ignorant statement : "...the fact that taxes do not influence the economy." Its quite simple. Less taxes equals more disposable income and more disposable income equals greater consumption. Greater consumption equals business expansion. Business expansion equals more jobs. It doesn't really matter how you get there. You can either increase Government spending towards targeted industries (construction most often gives the highest reward to risk value) - or you can cut tax. Whatever it takes to infuse money into the economy will create jobs.
The opposite effect is at work right now. Because the regulatory climate is unstable, businesses are unwilling to take risk and expand. Which is why we are stagnant. So, as you can see, tax policy can have a profound impact on the economy.
If the last election taught us anything, it taught us that there are approximately 60,000,000 blind and stupid Americans in this country. Let those same stupid Americans blame the GOP. I am more than ready to be the resistance and do what is right - whenever it is right - regardless of what the other 60,000,000 idiots think is right.
With that attitude you and the rest of the republican lemmings better hope that by 2024, 2028, or 2032 the electorate will have forgotten aobut your inability to accept the fact that the MAJORITY of voters favor raising rates on the top 2%-ers.
Time for a reality check, pal.
Oh Jack, I don't blame you for being blind and stupid. You want it this way. But certainly don't expect me to ignore the fact that you are blind and stupid. This is clearly the country you want. I am merely saying its the wrong country, and those who established this country simply did not have your version of this country in mind when they founded it.
Ok JP, so what are you saying. The right way is the Tea Party Republican Way. Is that what you saying.
Doesn't matter because you are irrevlant at this point. Loser!!
@jp: Why don't you go to Never Never Land (wherever that might be) and get the hell out of America. If you're not willing to accept the democratic principal that majority rules perhaps someplace like Somalia where anarchy reigns might be a better place to take out your frustrations.
This polling should come as no surprise to the republicans. Contrary to their beliefs elections do have consequences and they're finding that out the hard way. If they continue to stand firm against raising tax rates they'll be punished by the voters for a VERY long time.
The Republican Party is the American Taliban and should be convicted for treason for destroying the country and the well being of the country and its people
The Republicans are destroying the country from within that no other enemy could do
Sorry but your wrong I'm Retired Military, my job is done
Dude lay off the Koolaid... I've seen the real Taliban, the Republican's are no where near as bad.
Hey Joe, give me some specifics on exactly how raising rates on the top 2%-ers is going to effect the economy and when you do, cite your resources. Faux Noise doesn't count.
The truth is that most of you wingnuts haven't an original thought in your little brains and are content to parrot the crap coming out of the mouths of Boehner's boys and other mouthpieces of the wealthy.
M&M - it would be enough for me to see them without the power to do any more damage, and their mindset fossilized. I think that, just like the election, they do not see the writing on the wall, so I am looking forward to it.
Time to put an end to the Republican Political Terrorism
Next Election Cycle and the Republican Party will be Wiped from exsitence
The consequences of going over the fiscal cliff are survivable. The opportunity to put the final nail in the coffin of in this version of the Republican Party--"priceless"! Go for it!
B707320C let me guess...you don't have a job, want someone else to pay your bills, need free healthcare and think you should have everything I own even though I've worked for 30 years.
Wrong, 2%-er in early retirement after having worked 30 years.
It is Obama's fault....period...
He is not leading, acting like a community organizer (dividing the nation) and has no clue as to how to create a job.
If the media was doing it's job, it would become completely apparent that the so-called fiscal cliff was created by Obama back in the summer. And solely for his ideological agenda.
He is playing all of you like a fiddle and you will wake up one day and say WTF!
How did the government just take over my life?
And the sad part is you are letting him do it...............
Wow, what about blaming this mess on both parties.
The best poll is the one that you poll. All that the American people wanted is nothing but a job. All that Obama wanted are taxes. All that Pelosi wanted are taxes. All that the DEMS wanted are taxes. All that the left wing lobbyists wanted are taxes. All that the Socialist Party wanted are taxes.
If the GOP desires other than taxes, surely they would go for jobs. That's exactly what the Speaker has been articulating for the past several months now. But the discussion has been shifted by the left wing radicals to the issue of rich versus poor. In other words, punish the rich for having been wealthy.....that is why the White House benefits more if the country goes off the fiscal cliff, that is they get all the taxes they ever dreamt of--a sort of winner take all
The Republicans, who continue to stand on the naive claim that tax cuts for the wealthy, creates jobs (trickle down economics) need to look at history. It dosen't work. never did, never will. If the wealthiest earners are allowed to keep more, thats exactly what they do...KEEP IT! they don't "re-invest" they put more under the mattress. its always been that way. Its called greed. Look at Mayor Bloomberg in NYC. Forbes said he is worth $25 BILLION.. thats insane wealth. He could buy and sell Trump, Kraft, and Romney. Does he intend to help restore and rebuild his beloved NYC with HIS money? (say $10 Billion, and still have $15 billion for a rainy day) No freekin way. He'll gladly take your tax dollars though. GREED on a super scale!
Shawn D....have you ever taken the time to sit down with your employer and discuss what taxes, increased costs and regulations (aka increased costs) are hitting his/her business under this administration?
While you are doing that ask the simple question as to how your employer plans to stay in business with the coming tax increases (Obama's threat), healthcare cost increases, increased regulations (over 7000 posted in the last 6 months of the year) and more unknowns going forward?
He/she has few options:
1. Raise prices (your cost of living goes up)
2. Cut costs (usually starting with the largest bucket, jobs/wages/benefits)(you lose wages or job)
3. If he/she has adequate cash reserves, close the business and retire (you lose job)
Now which of those are positive for you?
Think about it.
Unless the government starts giving out jobs or free money there ain't nothing they can do to help the economy. The economy does what it does regardless of who is in power. No ONE thing caused the collapse and no ONE thing is going to fix it. In time things will change but no one knows what that will be until it happens.
The fiscal cliff fiasco ain't nothing to worry about. The debt ceiling ain't nothing to worry about. The national debt ain't nothing to worry about. Global warming ain't nothing to worry about. A nuclear Iran ain't nothing to worry about.
In the grand scheme of things, it will be what it will be and ain't nothing nobody can do about it. I think it's funny that politicians think they matter, in some way. It's probably why less than 1/3 of the population bothers to vote. Because, ultimately, it just don't matter.
I'm tired of politians who won't act like responsible adults and are more worried about who to blame than make good, longterm decisions for the country. AFAIC, I say let's go over the cliff. Both parties are equally to blame for this problem that's been in the making at least since the 90's. Might as well see that not only the rich, but everyone(even me), starts paying higher taxes to fund all the programs that no one seems to have the b..lls to cut. At the same time, the automatic cuts to all programs that will kick in, I consider just as a "reset" to reality. Once both higher taxes and program cuts are in-place, then those legislators can have fun spending tax money kicking the essential programs back to reasonable levels.
Anybody who thinks we'll ever get a strong fiscal condition back without everyone sharing some pain, just doesn't want to believe in reality. Yep, short term it'll cause some grief on the homefront and in the markets, but if it shows we're serious about the deficit, that grief won't stay around for long.
Only the uneducated people would blame the GOP for the financial mess! Those people who believe everything the news and the dems tell them. Sheep! All free thinks know what the problems are and what needs to be done to fix them!
Hawk, your such a "free thinker" please tell us all who exactly WAS to blame, while the countrys economy tanked under 8 years of Bush? Not to mention two wars, 9/11 terrorist attacks, WMDs that we couldn't find even after 4000+ killed in Iraq..
Should we blame Clinton? wait, he balance the budget and created a surplus, and kept us out of war during his two terms. So, Hawk, who exactly was it? The SHEEP? Come on Dude. Who is sounding "uneducated"?
Ten Years After "tax the rich, feed the poor, till there are no rich, no more!" only kidden, I wouldn't have a problem with being rich. BUT, I would also expect to be taxed the same as the working man. Lets be fair, thats all anybody is asking. Its not right to penalize someone for doing well, but it isn't right to cut them more slack either. I've always felt a flat tax would be fair. If I have to pay 21% to the Feds, then everybody else should too.
from ancient greece the concept of a progressive burden of citizenship is at the core of democracy. It was the rich who paid for the defense of athens not a general tax.
Interesting, maybe they should make the rich Greeks pay more now (or at least the same as everyone else)
From what I'm hearing, Athens has economic problems that make ours seem minor.
If ALL - from the president on down - would actually stop thinking about public opinion and show some respect for each other and talk reasonably, something truly helpful could get done. We used to have that kind of negotiation in Washington or at least they had good enough manners back then to make us think so. Democrats now are no more like the Democrats of a few years ago than the Republicans are. Maybe it's time for them to take some lessons from their history books and learn what the true meaning of NEGOTIATE really is.
It would be nice if people who post here would also learn some manners and courtesy and show some respect for others' opinions, too. Used to be that "I may disagree with what you say but I would defend to the death your right to say it" was truly American. I have seen very few in any online post in the last several years who believe in that American principle.