SINCE you’re reading this, it means the world did not end on December 21, 2012, as predicted by the Mayans.
However, our troubles are far from over.
On Thursday, House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) surprisingly faced rejection from Republicans for legislation which would have raised taxes for Americans earning incomes above $1 million.
“What Boehner called his ‘Plan B’ was crafted to prevent tax increases set to kick in Jan. 1 on virtually every taxpayer. But it also would have provisions that would have let rates rise for those at the upper income range – a violation of long-standing Republican orthodoxy that triggered opposition inside the party,” reports the Associated Press.
The Republican House Speaker said on Friday that he’s still open to negotiations with President Barack Obama in finding ways to avert across-the-board tax increases which will hit taxpayers come January 1st.
He added that at this juncture, avoiding the fiscal cliff would require more compromising with Pres.Obama and a more active involvement on the part of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) and Senate Minoriy Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky).
However, even a compromise between the two leaders in the Senate seems farfetched at this point.
The talks will resume after the Christmas break — leaving very little time for the House, Senate and Pres. Obama to come up with a proposal to avert a potential economic crisis.
Until then, we are still standing on the edge of the “cliff” and holding our breaths for their next move.
On the brighter side, it is good to know that the recent approval of crucial (albeit controversial) legislation in the Philippines will serve their purpose: the Reproductive Health Bill and the Sin Tax Bill.
The elusive Freedom of Information Bill also got a unanimous nod (17-0 votes) in its third and final reading in the Senate.
While the supposed Doomsday of 2012 was inundated with apocalypse-themed parties across the globe, there is more reason to celebrate the aftermath — it is the Christmas season after all, and despite all the economic hardships, we still have a lot to be thankful for. Perhaps this Christmas would hold more meaning.
Instead of wasting our time worrying about not being able to buy expensive gifts for our loved ones, let us spend each second, each moment with family members and friends and express our love, like there’s no tomorrow — not because the world will end, but because we are thankful for new beginnings.
(AJPress)
