The more money we send Washington, the more money they are going to waste.

The U.S. gross domestic product is 16 trillion dollars and is among the highest taxed GDP's in the world. The U.S. debt is 16 trillion, equal to the GDP, i.e. the U.S. has reached the point of insolvency. Taking more money from the private sector will reduce the available capital necessary to generate the desired revenue. Therefore, spending must be trimmed to match revenue and the public sector must release to the private sector sufficient capital as is necessary to produce the desired growth of tax revenue, and, the borrowing must cease. Unless, of course, the Decatur Daily advocates raising the debt ceiling above U.S. GDP - which it soon will, for some sort of "greater good." The editorial will explain that it is a terrible "deal" that Congress concocts, but, that we must all somehow go along.

If America goes off the “fiscal cliff,” the most likely reason is the government is spending more money than they have.

Because Democrats refuse to agree to limit the growth of any program

Well said Otis. But, I'm sorry you waisted the economic lesson on most of these uneducated simpletons.

The best thing that could happen is Plunging right off that cliff. Then the situation will fix itself as riots and the revolution starts in the streets. This country is done. Otis is dead on. Income in = income out or debt results.