The class warfare did not start with President Obama. The divide between the wealthy and the average worker has been increasing for decades and it was ramped-up during the Bush Administration. During the Bush years, the U.S. implemented tax cuts that disproportionately helped the wealthiest amongst us. Now is the time to stop the re-distribution of money toward the wealthiest and go back to a more progressive tax structure.

This issue has to do with protecting Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid and ending the deficits caused in large part by the Bush Tax Cuts for the wealthy. All these protections are good for the economy. Deficits have nothing to do with Social Security. Social Security is paid into by employees and employers. Deficits are caused by revenue shortfalls.

Congress is once again trying to stop progress in this country. Representative Lamar Smith has signed the "no taxes" pledge put out by Grover Norquist. He represents the 21st District of Texas, not Grover Norquist. He must relinquish the pledge and negotiate in good faith with our President.

The Poor have had to care the Rich on their backs long enough. The Rich need to Pay Taxes just like the Poor do.

All suffering is not created equal. And to suggest that if the wealthiest among us—those households with incomes over $250,000/year, but what we’re really talking about are the millionaires and beyond—are to suffer, then also must the most disadvantaged among us: seniors must be forced to choose between food and medicine, kids with chronic disabilities are to be denied medical care… well, that is just wrong.

MEDICAID, MEDICARE, and SOCIAL SECURITY did not cause the deficit and should not be part of the "fiscal cliff" negotiations. The poor and the middle class should not have their safety nets and health care slashed because of the excesses of previous administrations and the greed of Wall Street. There are many ways to decrease the deficit without hurting the poor and the middle class. Congress needs to do the right thing; let the tax cuts on the top 2% expire. Preserve the tax cuts for the 98%. Deal with other budget issues after January 1. The deficit must be addressed in a careful, thoughtful way that doesn't hurt the majority of Americans who can LEAST afford cuts in benefits and higher taxes. We urge Rep. King to reconsider his previous position of opposing the expiration of the Bush tax cuts for the top 2%.

The normal person in America cannot take a hit with more taxes. We want you to do your jobs Congress! There is not one good reason the middle income or the poor should be hit while not asking the highest incomes to do their fair share.

Calif. lets too much potential revenue go to our neighbor, Nevada. This money can be kept at home to address our budget deficit.

Rep. Scott Rigell must drop the Norquist anti-tax pledge and allow the Bush tax cuts for the top 2% to come to an end.

Between George Bush's tax cuts and Grover Norquist's whimsical "pledge" we will be lacking the "power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States" as mandated in Article I of the United States Constitution.

As a middle class taxpayer and a Medicare and Social Security recipient, I will be adversely affected by Republican proposals that seek to reduce the deficit by protecting the richest two percent of Americans.

Everyone who wishes to influence our Nation's politics, in any way, should be willing to have some "skin-in-the-game." One way to prove your willingness is to pay some Federal and State taxes.