The deficit is out of control - this is the one and only chance to reinstate the 39.6% tax rate to wealthy Americans. To accept less than 39.6% and then reduce Social Security and Medicare benefits is a give-a-way to the wealthy and a horrible message to send to everyone else.

The President campaigned on the principal of fairness and balance in fixing our federal deficit. Talk is going around that the rate for the upper 2% of income earners is negotiable at somewhere between the present rate and the Clinton rate, which would be an increase of only about 2%. That isn't fair or balanced. No one I know believes that would be asking the rich for anything--the Clinton rates are measly and a rate that doesn't restore the Clinton rate is, in the Presidents words, "Out of bounds". If the rate is set below the Clinton rates, where is the fairness/balance and where is the rest of the money coming from?

I am unemployed. I have lots of neeeds. there are so many like me.

Recession, Deficit and Jobs.

Republicans are holding the middle class hostage during the fiscal negotiations in exchange for providing millionaires and billionaires with another tax break. We are demanding no more tax cuts for the 1% and no compromise on Medicare and Social Security or other programs.

Lower the tax rate for persons taking early withdrawls from their 401ks.Taxed at the capital gains rate with no penalty. As a long term unemployed construction worker I would like to use my monies for schooling and basic survival.

Yes, all the State has been affected.

Republicans in Congress are contemplating raising the eligibility age for Medicare. I am 61 years old, suffer from a broken back, and recently had a heart attack. I cannot afford to wait another two years for Medicare.

I have 12 grandchildren!

The congress needs to move away from the pledge that Norquist made them sign! It was not right for him to put that pressure on them! He should be jailed for such an act because its almost like trying to bribe a police officer or someone! And then get it done! Boehner and them can be replaced come election time and they better realize this! Please ask Obama if he could be tried with is it called extortion? And ask him to please investigate it! Thank you

The country is about to be threatened into intentional default and massive downgrade of its debt.. i.e. if the Republican House of Representatives is allowed to use a 1917 debt limit law as blackmail forcing tax and spending concessions from the Democrats.

Cuts for all Politicans.....