The so-called fiscal cliff has supposedly been avoided.  I wonder if this is really the best thing for America?

Is the "deal" even Constitutional?

Did the GOP cave or was it the best they could do?

And despite the deal, payroll taxes will still go up for most employees.

Many House Republicans voted NO on the compromise.  Newly elected Congressman from Kentucky Thomas Massie (R, KY-4) voted against it.  Here's what his press release says:

Congressman Thomas Massie (R-KY) voted against the latest deal aimed at averting the so-called fiscal cliff. H.R. 8, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, passed in the House 257-167.

“This plan is Washington kicking the can down the road,” said Massie. “The modest spending cuts agreed to in the 2011 debt ceiling deal are postponed by this bill. This bill does nothing to reform our bloated tax code—in fact the bill perpetuates Obama’s failed stimulus spending within the tax code. Finally, it fails to address entitlement reform or the solvency of Social Security and Medicare.”

“Democrats and Republicans in Congress are once again committing doublespeak by labeling tax increases as tax cuts, and spending increases as spending cuts. I am confident that the American people will see through this.”

Early Tuesday morning the Senate voted to endorse a fiscal cliff deal reached between Senate leadership and Vice President Joe Biden. The legislation, which passed in the Senate 89-8, postpones spending cuts and increases taxes.

“The citizens of Kentucky’s 4th District sent me to Washington to implement real solutions,” Massie continued. “My constituents know that only real and immediate spending cuts can avert our nation’s impending debt crisis.”

Also voting NO was WV's 2nd District GOP Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito.  Here's what she had to say:

“Throughout the process, I have called for a balanced approach to addressing our nation’s out-of-control spending and record deficit.  There is nothing balanced about the bill passed by the Senate early this morning. The last-minute, haphazard process led to an unbalanced bill that includes no substantial reductions in spending and actually adds $3.9 trillion to our deficit.

“If Congress is going to ask more from taxpayers, it must also ask more from Washington in the form of belt tightening across the federal government. Failing to enact meaningful reforms and spending cuts would truly be unforgivable to future generations. 

“I have voted consistently to preserve lower tax rates for all Americans.  In July, I voted to prevent a tax increase for any taxpayer and also voted for the 2001 and 2003 bills that established the tax rates that expired today.  I also supported meaningful tax reform to make the code simpler and fairer.  In contrast, the Senate bill includes special interest tax provisions, including $248 million in tax loopholes for movie producers and $222 million for rum producers. 

“Lastly, West Virginians are fed up with the constant bickering in Washington and the inability to get things done.  The last-minute deals and constant back-and-forth create great uncertainty for families, for small businesses and for the global economy.  It has to stop.  As someone who believes in cooperation over partisanship, I will continue to listen to any and all ideas about how to get our economy back on track, people back to work and to reform our entitlement programs for future generations.”