Fiscal cliff

As expected, after a stupid amount of brinksmanship and name calling, the government finally got around to passing something dealing with the Fiscal Cliff. As expected, despite promises that taxes would not be raised on the middle class, taxes were raised on the middle class. Because what we really need, with an economy teetering on the brink of another round of recession, is more taxes.

I suspect if 536 people were credibly told "If, at this time next year, unemployment is above 6%, or GDP growth is less than 2%, or inflation is more than 3%, you will all be shot", our economic problems would be fixed in short order. And if not, the next batch of 536 would certainly be motivated to make sure they got it right.