There may never be an opportune time for a showdown over federal spending and taxes, but the current crisis is particularly ill timed. Not just because the national debt limit is looming, but because an economic recovery is just gaining footing.
The signs are everywhere.
The unemployment rate edged down from 7.9 percent in October to 7.7 percent in November.
Ohio's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for October was 6.9 percent, down from 7.1 percent in September.
Seneca County's unemployment rate held at 6.4 percent in October.
Locally, there are other signs of recovery. New retail stores are opening. Other retailers are moving or otherwise upgrading their locations. Even some manufacturers are planning to expand and hire.
But the delay in dealing with the so-called "fiscal cliff" in?Washington could knock the legs from under the economy while it's still getting on its feet.
The financial trouble facing our federal government is only part of the problem. That is compounded by uncertainty.
To understand how the uncertainty can affect decision making in the business world, consider the situation in more familiar terms.
Think how you'd feel if you went to the store to buy food, only to find you don't know exactly how much groceries would cost until days, weeks or months after you go through the checkout. Would you feel confident about adding items to your shopping cart?
The brinksmanship in Washington is impacting everyone, and it must stop. Wednesday, Boehner said he told GOP?lawmakers not to make plans for the week after Christmas.
All lawmakers should be told not to make plans for before the holiday, too. That might compel them to act sooner rather than later.
