A few stories from yesterday's Washington Post:
* Household income down sharply since recession's end.
* Congressional Budget Office warns of recession.
* Weekly jobless claims rise to 372,000.
So what are the two politicians running for the nation's highest office talking about?
Well, the main topic seems to be an obscure GOP senatorial candidate from Missouri who made a ridiculous comment about victims of "legitimate rape" being protected from pregnancy by nature. Honestly, where do the Republicans find candidates like Todd Akin?
Wherever they found him, he threw a lifeline to President Barack Obama, because he sure doesn't want to talk about the state of the economy. Meantime, Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan can't make Akin - or his views - go away.
Even more alarming than the two presidential contenders talking about inanities, though, is Congress ignoring the warning from the CBO about a pending recession. The CBO said the economy is facing a "fiscal cliff" if Congress does not rescind a series of tax increases and budget cuts scheduled for next January.
Those actions are the defaults if Congress does not act to get its financial house in order. The Republican-controlled House and the Democrat-controlled Senate passed conflicting versions of a tax bill last month that would head off next January's increases.
Neither side appears ready to back down from their positions. The GOP bill would halt all tax increases until the tax code is reformed; the Democratic bill would increase taxes on those making more that $253,000, but stop the increases for those making less.
And so the gridlock - and ridiculousness - continues in Washington. These people are supposed to be our leaders. Are leaders supposed to lead you over a cliff?
Only if you are a lemming.
* Editorials reflect the opinion of the publisher.
