The extremists of both our political wings are displaying shameless selfishness. Those “conservatives,” who don’t really care what happens to the 47 percent as long as their fortunes are not molested.

Those “liberals,” who don’t much care what happens to the economy as long as they lose no government-provided benefits.

The more center-oriented of both factions must realize that both tax increases and benefit economies are necessary to start balancing the books. Perhaps the so-called “cliff” is something we need to go over, as it will guarantee the above will happen. And maybe another thing that should happen would be to threaten any senator or congressman with “un-election” if he/she doesn’t ignore the lobbyists and PACs, and move toward the center in solving our fiscal problems.

— Don Neal

Anchorage