fresh voices from the front lines of change

Democracy

Health

Climate

Housing

Education

Rural

While the lame-duck Congress debates the so-called "fiscal cliff" that isn't a cliff, the public has weighed in. A new poll shows the public overwhelmingly supporting tax hikes for the rich and opposing Medicare cuts. Will the will of We, the People prevail?

The "Fiscal Cliff" Shock-Doctrine Hype

Fiscal Cliff Scare Talk Follows Shock Doctrine Script,

If you have already read The Shock Doctrine by Naomi Klein you have probably been rolling your eyes at all this “Fiscal Cliff” scare talk. “Here they go again” you’re thinking…

The “Fiscal Cliff” is not a cliff and the language itself is intended to scare people. The name itself is designed to create panic, evoking disaster imagery of people and the economy falling off a cliff. It is the latest manufactured “crisis” and we are all supposed to be terrified and demand immediate and extreme solutions.

And a note to journailsts and pundits: Saying “Fiscal Cliff” Is Taking Sides,

The term “fiscal cliff” is a one-sided propaganda phrase that misinforms and triggers public fear and anxiety. The fiscal cliff is not a “cliff” and the country isn’t going to fall off anything at the end of the year. Journalists: don’t help the misinformers — don’t say or write “fiscal cliff.” Congress: when people are scared and misinformed our Congress should pause, step back and help inform us instead of rushing to take advantage of the fear.

The Poll

An ABC News / Washington Post poll released today found overwhelming (60%) support for increasing tax rates at the top and more overwhelming (67%) opposition to raising the Medicare age. The Washington Post reports, in Taxing the rich remains popular,

Sixty percent of all Americans back higher taxes on higher incomes in the new Post-ABC data. Earlier this month, an identical 60 percent of voters in the presidential election said income taxes should be raised on income over $250,000, according to the national exit poll.

In the new poll, 73 percent of Democrats support such tax hikes, including a majority, 57 percent, who do so “strongly.” Among political independents, 63 percent back an increase, while 59 percent of Republicans oppose such a move.

And on Medicare:

Even fewer — 30 percent — favor raising the age for Medicare from 65 to 67, part of a bid by Tennessee Republican Sen. Bob Corker to avert the automatic spending cuts and tax increases that would hit if there is no deal by the end of the year.

Will Congress Listen To We, the People?

These discussions are occurring in the "lame duck" Congress, and that is no accident. This is a contrived "crisis" and the contrivers have an agenda. The "lame duck" session includes people who have left or been voted out of office as of the end of the years, and is the very time when there is little accountability to We, the People.

Congress has been notoriously deaf to the will of the public in recent years, and a lame duck session is capable of being even worse. Will this Congress listen to the clear and stated will of the People, or to the plutocrats?

---

Pin It on Pinterest

Spread The Word!

Share this post with your networks.