Constituents that are hurting and badly in need of help. I see a lot of tweets full of skepticism about whether a fiscal cliff deal can get done. I understand the doubt. After last year's debacle it's understandable. But what most aren't taking into account is the fact that these politicians have just come off campaigns.
If you know anything about campaigns you know that there's a lot of hand shaking and other up-close and personal contact with constituents.
They have to listen to a lot more hard luck stories and in these times that may be all they hear. And they have to listen! You can't fake listening, at least not when you know the question "So, what are you gonna do about that?" will probably come after the story.
Speaker Boehner represents Ohio's 8th congressional district. He's rep'ed the district since 1991 and there's no ivory towers there. These are people he knows and who know him. With a median income of just over 43 thousand dollars there's no doubt in my mind he's heard some rough tales this trip on the campaign trail.
So, when you heard him speaking of "working together" he's talking this way to send a signal to those people who sent him back to DC that help is on the way.
When he talks about a mandate to work together that's because he's heard more than an earful of criticism from people he's known for 20 years or longer. You know how it is when it's people who've known you that long, the gloves come off.
And this goes for all the politicians that were re-elected. The president wasn't the only one that was re-elected. The Republican House of Rep's was sent back to Washington D.C. also.
It's as if the American people said "we're not letting you off that easy!" Because lots of people had to vote for President Obama and a Republican Senator or House Rep. Everybody didn't just pull the Democrat or Republican lever and call it a day. So, yes, I do think we will avoid the fiscal cliff and I'm quite confident of it.
The markets aren't as confident as I am, but they'll come around.
In a recent talk slash interview at the Council On Foreign Relations J.P.Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon said "If Simpson-Bowels were implemented a year ago the economy would be booming right now." This statement to my knowledge wasn't reported on much but it stuck out to me the most out of the whole talk.
I agree with Jamie Dimon. Simpson-Bowels isn't perfect but what Government policy is? At least with something set in stone the American people can adjust. as it is now with nothing in place the people have nothing to adjust to. Sure, it needed some tweaks here and there but over all it wasn't a bad proposal.
This is why I think the fiscal cliff will be avoided. Policy makers have a place to start. It won't be easy but it's super doable. Everything is lined up. The will is there, the need is there, and most importantly the pressure is there. So, don't be surprised if and when you hear that the cliff is pushed back until 2013 and work will began on tax reform and a whole lot of other things that are rooted in the Simpson-Bowles proposal when Congress comes back after the lame duck...