Here is an idea....

[Guest]

First the scenario

.....The IMF (Internation Monetary Fund) has warned congress that we should deal with the fiscal cliff, and come up with a SERIOUS plan to reduce the debt OVER TIME, not instantly.

.....The National assoc for Business Economics reports that in April, 48% of businesses do not plan to hire anyone in the next 6 months. That figure now is up to 62%. Not a good thing for sure. The main reason...the deficit.

.....Patty Murray, the Democrat from Washington said today that if the Republicans do not agree to a tax increase on rich they are prepared to allow us to go over that cliff and at least have the beginnings of a recession.

Now the idea...

Albert Hunt of Bloomberg makes this suggestion and I sort of like it.

Either Obama and Romney challenge each other, or one challenge the other..what ever works to,,,,,,"by Sept. 15, a broad-based, specific budget/tax deficit-reduction plan so Americans can compare and contrast and discuss and debate before they vote. "

Neither today is being specific on this issue which is baseline to the economy. He suggests bringing back Simpson Bowles and using that as a starting point, but whatever...something we can see because this decision is vital to this country.

This is a bit iffy in that things change in this economy but it does get them both off the political crap and at least fosters a discussion of substance.

Voters Must See Candidate Plans for Avoiding Fiscal Cliff - Bloomberg (http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-07-15/voters-must-see-candidate-plans-for-avoiding-fiscal-cliff.html)

Survey: Only 23 percent of U.S. companies plan to grow staff (http://upstart.bizjournals.com/news/wire/2012/07/16/nabe-survey-shows-us-companies-cautious.html)

Democrats threaten to push U.S. over fiscal cliff if GOP refuses to raise taxes - Spokane Conservative | Examiner.com (http://www.examiner.com/article/democrats-threaten-to-push-u-s-over-fiscal-cliff-if-gop-refuses-to-raise-taxes)

IMF to U.S.: Deal with fiscal cliff and debt ceiling soon - Jul. 16, 2012 (http://money.cnn.com/2012/07/16/news/economy/fiscal-cliff/)

[Guest]

poor patty murray, 'the mom in tennis shoes' i believe she was once nicknamed, allowing herself to be put out there as a shill for the democrats. i used to think much more of her. i wonder what she will get in return - and what part of her sould she had to sell to get it.

[Guest]

This may seem egotistical of me but I am going to bump my own thread because, it may seem idealistic but boy would I love to see this occur.

[Guest]

I too like Hunt's proposal. But it's not going to happen. If either or both candidates get specific on their budget proposals, with the grave condition of our fiscal situation lots of people's oxen would be gored. Both candidates would lose all kinds of votes from the people with their own special interests and priorities. In a close election, neither candidate will take that risk.

Methinks we need either a king, a dictator, or a single term limit. Only one can happen, and that's only if the electorate refuses to vote for any incumbent. At least then we could begin with a clean slate.

[Guest]

I thought we already had a King and a Dictator, why don't we try something novel and follow the Constitution for a change.