Independents and all others, 2. 202585388 yesterday at the daily News Conference of the white house, jay carney the spokesman there was asked about liberals who are advocating going off the so called fiscal cliff. Here is what he had to say. [video clip] he spoke with john boehner. By the weekend and he will meet with them at the appropriate time as well as nancy pelosi and mitch mcconnell. So the process that he began is continuing. Recanting you to be optimistic that a balanced approach is achievable. We know what the solutions are. It was senator who said that in an oped, one benefit of all of the debate said we have had any discussions over the past couple of years is that we know what the parameters of a balanced solution for these challenges look like. And they include both spending cuts and revenues and entitlement reform. They have to have all three legs of the school of got to report of that. Jay carney at the white house. Was asked about the idea of going off the fiscal cliff. Alan krueger, the chairman of president obamas economic advisers, he spoke about what would happen if we go off this socalled fiscal cliff. In this report put out by the white house, American Consumers will spend 200 billion less in 2013 if the fiscal cliff is not averted according to this white house report. Jay carney went on to say in this press briefing that president obama believes and understands that in order to achieve a deal, a compromise, that everybody has to make tough choices and he remains committed. But this is what he said about Social Security the white house is less interested in tackling the rising costs of Social Security during the current talks. So that is what is the latest coming out of the white house on the fiscal cliff talks. The two sides not scheduled to meet face to face. As you heard from the prevent of the congressional leaders are the weekend and the two sides separately meeting this week in washington with Business Leaders and as we said, unions are planning protests on capitol hill. A lot to talk about with the fiscal cliff in washington. We want to turn to all of you and get this tape on this idea of going off of the fiscal cliff. We will talk with glenn on our line for democrats, go ahead. Caller i would like to remark on how relatively quickly it sounds like the white house is willing to sell out. You know, if we go off the fiscal cliff, and pronounce our willingness to help the republicans the gate the pledge not to raise taxes by letting it expire and than any tax change to reduce taxes will be a tax cut, we will be glad to sign it. All of the super rich people who are now going to face the state tax on anything over 1 billion will be screening of their shoulders, the thing it. And rear not point to have 200 billion less in spending if after january 1 we sign a new tax bill. The fact that obama is administration is to make it sound like he is averting a catastrophe over the post 2013 it is an insult to people who know what is going on. Host if you think that do you think the president is not holding from one democratic beliefs . Calving i really do not know. I just found out that ed rendell is supposedly a little type of democrat. He is one on one of these teams trying to figure out entitlements. This is a simple equation. We have about 800 billion more than necessary in spending. We have 800 billion more in spending that goes into the pockets of those who run unnecessary tests, Insurance Companies and pharmaceutical companies. And if we relocate the like most of the rational world by civil nationalizing health care, that will take care of 80 of the problem. The other 20 has to do with the spending on the military that puts people in countries that nobody can identify on the back in order that nobody can identify on the bath. Chuck in illinois, on our line for republicans, what do you think . Caller i am kind of angry about are people that we lack in b. C. For the next 35 days trying to make his big decision. They cannot come together because they want to hold their ground and whenever it is. And one thing they should not do is to put us in a position where we go down this slope and we go back to what has been going on for the past two years. You fear an economic recession . If we go off the cliff was to mark the bank yes. It will not surprise me if that happens. Host what is your confidence level was to mark the bus odds. Caller 50 50. Host 50 50. They have said they are ready, we will villain of. A lot of people in this country, with the who station you are on whatever peraua sion you are, it is all about money, i understand death, he did i understand it back. Two of. Fifth compromised. Host he says his been no progress on both mr. Obama asking that the top 2 of earners pay more. Many a new that argument. It is been talked about four weeks. Washington returning for the land that congress. Here is the headline of your more democrats willing to go over the fiscal cliff. And the tax hikes including the payroll hike could also be slowed. Charles schumer backs murray saying the democrats cannot caved in it. They want a mandate for increased taxes. Yesterday, the billionaire investor Warren Buffett writing in the New York Times says he thinks the country would do just fine if we do if we go over the fiscal cliff. On our line for independents, should we go of the fiscal cliff . Caller yes, i think we should. Although people who want a budget reduction, it would save the country 4 trillion dollars. I was amazed at how fast the democrats adopted mitt romneys for these home deductions. These people want to go around saying obama, obama wally is cutting your Social Security and medicare in your home deductions are really happy. We are not in this for nothing. Nobody cares about us because we want to be so proud of president obama. And let him defund Social Security. The democrats have no intention of ending the debt ceiling now, because they want to give away more democratic priorities. We hostages. When the republicans have not given anything yet, that is what you get here you get your priorities cut. Because you did not say a word. So sit back in your house and yelled obama, obama while he takes all of the food out of your mouth. Host let me echo some sentiments your efforts to facee spending resistance. The two senators, the story often notes that this is what they would like to see from the president. They want him to start negotiations at a oneone ratio. Putting them in line with many in the parties that want to see a harder line taken by democrats. Some advocating going over the fiscal cliff. Democratic caller, mary, what do you think . Having delivered the cliff and start over. Host are you concerned about the Economic Impact . Caller i do not know why on earth i am on Social Security. Host in order not to touch those programs caller just kind of overhaul them. Just fix them a tas tad. Host what about raising the eligibility age . Caller do not do that. I am 59. I might retire run 65. Host that is mary. On our line for republicans, kevin, go ahead. Caller i think they should go off the cliff. For the past four years we heard how terrible the bush tax cuts are. I think we definitely need to go to the clinton era tax cuts for every one. I think if theres a compromise always going to do is make the tax code more progressive. I think we all need to feel the pain. And i do think it would go into a recession because of it. But a recession is part of any Economic Life cycle. If you give the government power, what politician will say it is time to have a recession . You have to vote for me because i am going to make the economy worse. They just keep pumping more debt in the the economy. Host you are saying go over the fiscal cliff . Caller yes. It is not even enough in my opinion to balance the budget. It is still about three times the average deficit under bush. Let us go back to the clinton tax era. Eileen anywhere between republican and libertarian. Up yes i am not. I lean anywhere between republican and a libertarian. Host what do you make of republicans up on capitol hill to sort of a back off the tax pledge that he took when he ran for senate, saying he would not raise taxes. Caller if we are going to raise taxes my important thing is raising them on everybody. Because if they try to strike a compromise where only the rich get taxed, then it gets more progressive. It is not a point to help the budget. We are right to raise taxes, raise them all the way down to where clinton had them. Host senators Lindsey Gramm represented peter king, talking publicly abandoning the pledge of democrats will talk seriously about entitlement reforms. Rest in peace, Grover Norquist . There are not enough republican tax hikes republicans to hike taxes for obama. The left is doing its best to make tax hikes appear to be a foregone conclusion. That is their take on tax hikes. Eddie, on our line for independents, you are next. Caller i think president obama was elected to make the hard costs. Host what you mean . Caller he was elected to make a choice for the country. The majority of the country. The republicans are wrong and he is right. And i think that he should let us what the fiscal cliff because the republicans are scrambling out trying to change everything. They need to mow them out. And change it then. But i think they should let them go off the cliff. Host are you on medicare and Social Security . Having yes. Cliff wranglers way medicare age. Can the country afford to continue on this road . Paying what we pay for medicare . Caller we can afford it but it is a necessary evil. We have got to of the people stand firm and put the country back on a track that everyone can understand it. There will not be any blind stops. Because this is what we have got to do and we should do it. And i think that president obama should let it happen. Host raise taxes on everyone or those who make more than 250,000 a year . Caller on everyone. It is fair. We lived through a bush. I think we can live through this. Host ok. That is eddie on our line for independents. I am going to go back to the the wall street journal. And plans this week over the fiscal cliff. House republicans planning to meet wednesday with Business Leaders including erskine bowles, a cochairman of the 2010 deficit reduction commission, and president obama on wednesday is planning to meet with Business Leaders. That is what is happening so far this week. In the negotiations or the fiscal cliff. Public events, private meetings, so far they are not set a date for them to get together. Some quick headlines. Tensions intensified in egypt as the Muslim Brotherhood president he has met with judicial leaders. That is the latest of egypt. And the Los Angeles Times, syria is now a shell of its old self. The Los Angeles Times reporting on that. And then this tension debate on whether susan rice should become the next secretary of state. This is the Washington Times. But as far back to our discussion this morning for all of you. Going off the fiscal cliff, some democrats are saying that the possibility and wouldnt be so bad. Steve, on our line for republicans, what do you think . Caller i totally agree with the caller from texas who said that we should return to the clinton era tax law. Just think of that era we had. We had a budget surpluses. And we had a winning prosperity. I do not think we need to fear returning to the clinton tax law. And as the caller said from texas, the democrats have demonized the bush tax cuts. And so we will see with the demon is. The 47 who do not pay income tax from about 30 of them will return to the tax rolls. And at least the pain is like to be spread around here to everybody. And i find the connection of the Grover Norquist problem is that if we returned to the clinton tax law, then everybody next year will just want to reduce taxes and the republicans will be free to vote for those things without the pledge interfering with that. I think what would solve that issue as well. So i think we would all be a lot better off. More dollars over 10 years. And it would come from every american. We have a huge problem here. And by the president s position of and not willing to dip below 250,000, is just as impractical as Grover Norquists no tax pledge. I find the president s position just as intractable. Host here are some comments on twitter. We should go over the fiscal cliff. Because everyone would have a horse in the race. And we should go off the cliff but make sure that every politician is held appropriately responsible. On facebook no, quit the out of control spending. The last thing we need is another Credit Rating downgrade just because obama and his entire administration is incompetent. And we are already off the cliff. You are next. Caller i am quite certain the fiscal cliff is just a slope. And they have been playing chicken for the last 10, 15 years anyway. This time the rich started paying their fair share. I do not think we need to go to that now. What we need to do is get this economy back in gear and get new jobs going. And take care of the companies. Host how you do that . Many people are saying in order to avoid this economy getting worse they need to have a grand bargain. Caller it should be a gradual up slope thing. The point is to build the economy, not to shatter it. The depression will become profound. Thank you. Host that was brian in michigan on our line for democrats. Next caroline on our line for republicans, go ahead. Caller i this wanted to say that the house and the senate, were both democrats for many years. No budget was passed then. And our spending is way out of control. And the republicans are trying to put a stop on the spending. And i also agree that all people should pay their fair share of taxes. Host ok. Fiscal talks continue today. We are going to be covering the discussion with dick durbin, the assistant majority leader, democrat of illinois at any event today. Live coverage on cspan, 11 30, cspan and,. If you miss it, go to our video library. On the front page of the financial times, stepping down from the sec. Mary schaepiro is stepping down after nearly four years in charge of the top stock market regulator. Bill, maryland, on our line for independents. What are your thoughts . Caller i think we have already gone over it a long time ago. We are like a family or Small Business that is bringing in 200,000 each year. Their borrowing in other 100,000 each year. And then you hear these people talking about, we are going to raise the taxes on the rich. What is that going to do . Bring in other a thousand dollars and. It is insane. These politicians have screwed us, screwed our children. They just keep reelecting the same people. In the wall street journal this morning they write this, why 16 trillion only hint of the true United States debt. The actual liabilities of the federal government including Social Security, medicare and federal employee future Employment Benefits already exceeded 86. 8 trillion dollars or 550 of gdp. Nothing like that figure is used in calculating the deficit. In reality, the reported budget deficit is less than onefifth of the more accurate figure. So if you are interested in that, that is in the the wall street journal. Writing about with the actual debt is. We will continue about our discussion for about 15 more minutes. Should we go off of the so called fiscal cliff . What do you think . We are getting your thoughts outside washington today. They are saying this might not be so bad. On our line for democrats, randy. Caller the cliff is only a slope. And i think that is the most fiscally responsible thing to do. My republican friends are always worried so much about the deficit. It scares them. Let us get it in line. The will to get these taxes back. We all agree with him then. To get the house in order. And the republicans came in and ruined it. President obama made the mistake i believe of putting both wars and prescription d drug plans back on the books. He should of left them off of the books. And then we would about how little they care about debt and deficit. And that would have been good. Host here is the the wall street journal. Grover norquist is not the problem. I do not think we should go off the fiscal cliff. Go up to 150,000. The rich should pay a little more. We also need to get rid of the programs that the democrats are so willing to hand out. Host what are some of the programs . Caller head start. Um to live for free, section . Host what do you think about unEmployment Benefits . Caller it should go back to six months. Host democrats seek more benefits for jobless. This story by seth says more than two million americans are forced to lose their Unemployment Insurance. Time to come up with a deal to avoid the fiscal cliff. We are asking you, should we go off of it . Illinois, on our line for independents. Caller good morning. Spoke to several years back. Do not go to war for bush. We are spending 1 trillion a year on a war in afghanistan, which is senseless. Bring those troops,. That is over 1 trillion a year. Turkey, they build pickup trucks for general motors. Shipped to the sales room, that costs them 7,000, they turn around and sell it to us for 18,000. Let us get an import tax. What about those import taxes. To equalize the funding for the United States. The import tax should equalize 20 an hour american dollars. That will put us on their feet. As far as cutting medicaid, whited biggest toss me out in the street. Because i live strictly on Social Security. And without medicare i cannot possibly make it. Our congress is too busy investing their money in the industrial to make a ton of money on the war. Why we have 10,000 troops in germany . Bring a lot of those home. Host here is bob. I will review some other headlines. On the race to Jesse Jackson jr. As seed. He resigned as many