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The search is on for some common ground in Washington D.C. President Barack Obama met with congressional leadership on Friday to share ideas on how to avoid the mix of expiring tax and spending cuts dubbed the fiscal cliff.
Republicans lawmakers have motivation to get a deal done. Speaker of the House John Boehner says there's a "spirit of cooperation" during the talks. The President also called the meeting "productive," but some KELOLAND voters are a little skeptical.
The recent apparent inability of Democrats and Republicans to work together and avoid this looming deadline reminds 25-year-old Daniel Riley of a lesson he learned as a child from his mother.
"Don't hit your brother in the head. That same advice could be for here," Riley said.
People are feeling the frustration over Washington, D.C., all the way in South Dakota.
Since the election, Democrats and Republicans have promised to shorten the gap between the aisle. If not, analysts say we are headed for another recession and high unemployment rates. The "play nice" advice is simple, but several voters say it is a solution that could go a long way in Washington, D.C.
"Well, as a retired kindergarten teacher, I guess our philosophy should be treat each other with respect and that we listen to each other's opinions," Wadetta Ricketts said.
And Riley agrees.
"Identify the problem; find what they have in common first because they have a lot of things in common. We all know there have to be cuts, tax reform or revenue increases. I think that's all going to happen," Riley said.
Some voters said they are losing faith in their politicians. So, fiscal cliff or not, it sounds like the damage may already be done.
"I think it's hard to know what to do," Lory Molseed said. "I've believed in the political process. I think it's important to get out and vote, but I find myself questioning, why?"
Less than two months away from expiring tax cuts, Molseed said some politicians may still need to learn a thing or two about compromise before they teach our children the wrong lesson.
"It's hard for me to go on and push the message to my children about the importance of this process. I don't like to feel that way. It doesn't feel good," Molseed said.
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