Americans Face Even Worse Mugging by Government as Fiscal Negotiations Falter

Actually cutting spending ... unthinkable!

With taxes set to increase for almost every U.S. worker at midnight, Congress hasn't reached a budget deal that Democrats and Republicans say is necessary to prevent a blow to the U.S. economy.

Private talks between Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell that began Dec. 28 stalled yesterday because of disputes over income tax rates, the estate tax and other issues.

McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, reached out to Vice President Joe Biden in an effort to break the impasse, while staffers worked into the night trading and reviewing offers. The two made progress, according to a person familiar with the negotiations who requested anonymity to discuss the talks.