If you ask me, this so-called fiscal cliff is a lot of hype. I believe it is just more scare tactics from people on the right who don't want the wealthiest 2 percent to pay their fair share of taxes.

I really don't think it's going to be the end of the world if we go over that cliff. It might even be a good thing. For one thing, the wealthiest people in this country would get to pay a greater percentage of taxes; this would really help lower the national debt. Republicans wouldn't have to feel guilty about breaking their pledge to Grover Norquist not to increase tax rates for the wealthy, because the Bush tax cuts automatically expire in January. Then Obama can negotiate with our new Congress about tax breaks for people making less than $250,000 a year.

As for spending cuts, how about the Pentagon? We are already armed to the teeth, and I don't think we need more weapons. How about ending subsidies to Big Oil? The oil companies are just rolling in money; they need government subsidies like a hole in the head.

I believe we would go back to the Clinton tax rates if we fall off the cliff. And I would like to remind people with short memories that during the Clinton presidency, our economy was booming.

Barry Ulman

Bellingham