There’s only hours left on the clock as we countdown to New Years… and the unknown outcome of the ‘Fiscal Cliff’…where a deal at least appears in sight….but not yet accomplished…
Local opinions vary. Today, NBC5’s Jennifer Elliott found out what you have to say as we wait at the precipice.
Frustration, anger, hopelessness, and even distrust… all words people used to describe their current feelings toward federal government.
The negative emotions amplified by a lack of unity in Washington… and a just released executive order for congress to receive pay raises.
Applegate resident Ila Sachs says she’s hoping for a compromise on the ‘Fiscal Cliff’ this New Year’s Eve.”My opinion, keep working on it, be civil. Do the right thing,” Sachs says.
Jean Wakefield and Shelley Sable say they tired of waiting. “I think it’s a horrible thing if they don’t make adjustments,” says Sable of Southern Oregon.
“It makes me so unhappy that they can’t come to terms and make a decision in the
best interest of the people,” White City resident Wakefield tells us.
Some say they’ve already thrown in the towel. “There’s nothing we can do, they have until tonight they said. They’re not going to do anything… that’s what I see,” says Douglas Strahan of Eagle Point.
Today, the President appeared saying a deal is in sight, but not yet finished..that’ll take more time. “We’re going to solve this problem instead in several steps,” commented President Obama.
Still no conclusion yet.
Then this: just last week President Obama signed an executive order to lift a pay freeze for federal employees.
That means Congress could receive up to $1000 more a year on top of their $175 thousand plus salaries. “Woah, you got me there,” says Sachs when she first hears the news. “I’ve lost a lot of money in what I do, and other people have too. Not yet, no. The timing is very bad… so take it back,” Sachs says.
A political grey cloud hanging over American’s heads on this, the last day of 2012.
Regarding the wage increase— Republican Congressman Greg Walden’s office tells us it’s shocked by the timing of the decision. We’re also told the house would most likely not approve the pay raise come March.
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