Deficit Talks Tanking

The lead article in today’s New York Times, “Lawmakers Trade Blame as Deficit Talks Crumble,” once again demonstrates the inability of Washington to avoid partisan bickering for the sake of the nation.

If no final agreement is reached by tonight, automatic spending cuts will go into effect, indiscriminately applying across-the-board spending cuts to total $1.2 trillion in 10 years. However, because of the deal previously struck with the Republicans, major programs such as Social Security, Medicare and anti-poverty initiatives will remain untouched.

Some Republicans are already making noise about reconfiguring these cuts to protect the Pentagon even though the military cuts were the only real concession the Republicans offered in previous negotiations. It’s important to note, despite all the dire warnings from the Pentagon, the overall military budget will still increase next year.

And new confrontations loom on the horizon. In addition to continuing efforts by President Obama to pass portions of his jobs bill, the recent payroll cuts and extension of unemployment benefits are due to expire at the end of the year. Despite their stimulative effect, the Republicans are bound to oppose their renewal. Despite their promotion of nearly every tax cut for corporations and the rich, it seems that tax cuts for the middle class are somehow exempt from the Republican agenda.