TCTI: Too Crazy Too Ignore
 Dave Ross
AP: 0ff1d9db-6b25-4816-9f28-75138cbe8f12
The lights of the U.S. Capitol remain lit as the House worked on the "fiscal cliff" legislation before voting, on Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

It's like a fairy tale!

BY Dave Ross  on January 2, 2013 @ 8:16 am (Updated: 8:34 am - 1/2/13 )

In a vote that took place at a time when the only people watching CSPAN were me and Mark Knoller, Congress swept away a bunch of its own artificial booby traps in a decisive bi-partisan vote.

You're probably wondering, what suddenly changed?

Well, as it turns out, Republicans suddenly remembered that Democrats had vigorously opposed the Bush tax cuts in 2001. So, to see them vigorously supporting them now was a victory!

"I just wanted to thank so many people on the other side for finally acknowledging publicly that the 98 percent of the Bush tax cuts help the middle class," said Rep. Louie Gohmert from Texas' 1st district.

And there was something else...

Grover Norquist, the lobbyist who's gotten most Republicans to sign his no-tax-increase pledge, tweeted Tuesday "The Bush tax cuts lapsed at midnight last night. Every R voting for Senate bill is cutting taxes and keeping his/her pledge."

"So we're not raising taxes, we're actually cutting taxes," Norquist later clarified on TV.

And just like Cinderella, everything changed. A homely tax increase became a fairy tale tax cut; the frog turned back into a prince.

During the final debate there wasn't a peep about how taxing the rich would spook the job creators.

"Republicans and the American people are getting permanent tax relief," said Michigan Representative Dave Camp.

So it was all about putting up the appearance of a good fight, then waiting for the clock to tick past midnight.

And they lived happily, until they hit the debt ceiling.

Dave Ross, KIRO Radio Talk Show Host
Dave Ross is co-host of The Ross & Burbank Show on KIRO Radio (weekdays 9-Noon) and never too far from the spotlight.
More Dave Ross

MyNorthwest.com - Purpose of Comments statement
Bonneville Media encourages site users to express their opinions by posting comments. Our goal is to maintain a civil dialogue in which readers feel comfortable. At times, the comments can descend to personal attacks. Please do not engage in such behavior. We encourage your thoughtful comments which: have a positive and constructive tone, are on topic, are respectful toward others and their opinions. Bonneville reserves the right to remove comments which do not conform to these criteria.

Comments (55)


  • Add A Comment

  • It's me! Ha ha! wrote...
    So Bonner and the RINO's cave to the Dear Leader and he get his tax increases and no spending cuts.
    January 2, 2013 2:20 pm
    So you and the state run media cannot blame the Republicans for this. Your Dear Leader owns this outright 100 percent.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    Oh, Geeze. Lawnboy is still posting.
    January 3, 2013 5:38 am
    Oh, well. ... Tomorrow IS another day.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • It's me! Ha ha! wrote...
    Like I said;
    January 3, 2013 9:48 pm
    Fish on!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }