Naked Compromise

Naked protesters stormed Speaker of the House John Boehner's office yesterday, chanting "Boehner, Boehner, don't be a dick.  Budget cuts will make us sick."  They are apparently concerned that cutting federal spending on healthcare will limit their access to free AIDS care.  This is a similar false narative to the "War on Women", since there have been free and cheap access to AIDS clinics and drugs since the 1980s. 

What are fiscal conservatives to do?  Is there any chance of actual compromise with the radical Obama administration?  Democrats and the people on the left only want to increase taxes and eliminate tax deductions, while Republicans and people on the right talk about cutting spending on social welfare programs.  I think just about everything is going to have to be touched, but I don't think that will happen with the current political makeup. 

I'm no financial expert, but I know there is no such thing as a sacred cow when your budget is out of control!  I've been there.  I've moved to an apartment from a house, cut cable and internet, stopped traveling to see family, stopped eating out and going to movies, and shopped at discount stores.  When will our government do the same?  I'm not opposed to raising taxes and cutting loopholes, because everyone is going to need to feel the pain at some level and cutting the budget will take time to implement.  But, we can't only raise taxes, as that will surely have the effect of slowing the economy and most likely pushing us into another recession. 

Republicans need to hold strong on cutting the budget, and should propose an "across the board" percentage cut on all budgetary items (including congressional salaries, government salaries, and defense).  That is the only way to sell budget cuts to all of the American people, and win the war of words.  When conservatives state they are opposed to raising taxes, most Americans believe they are trying to protect the wealthy, especially when wealthier Americans pay the majority of the taxes.  When Republicans refuse to cut defense spending and can't wait to cut social security and medicare, it appears heartless and cruel.

Unfortunately, I don't know if a compromise is possible in today's political climate.  Even if Republicans put revenue on the table and propose moderate budget cuts to all government programs, I doubt the Democrats will agree.  So, what can the GOP do?  They should put out there most reasonable compromise, and make sure to publish it in all the papers, over the internet, and on all the political talk shows.  Then, if and when the Obama administration and the Senate Democrats refuse the compromise, people can see for themselves what offer the Democrats will put on the table. 

I'm going to guess that the Republicans will be villified for refusing to tax the rich and wanting to cut services to the poor, and that the Democrats will refuse to make any significant cuts to the budget while wanting to raise taxes on most Americans by increasing tax rates and eliminating or reducing many tax deductions.  The media will glorify the Democrat plan, therefore getting public opinion behind them, and the Republicans will be blamed for their partisanship.  Republicans will have to get behind the Democrat plan to avoid the US falling of the fiscal cliff.

America is truly a divided nation at this moment.  How and if we can come together remains to be seen?  Is compromise even possible anymore, and is it in the country's best interest?  I pray that our politicians can find a way to come together and find a workable solution to our problems, but I don't hold out much hope.  I fear we are already to far gone.