RE: the first question to ask is,
who wins by doing nothing.
If Congress and Obama does nothing TAX PAYERS LOSE. The Bush tax cuts EXPIRES in January 2013 and ALL TAXES in ALL TAX BRACKETS GO UP AUTOMATICALLY.
if this drags into next year,
any tax cuts could be made retroactive
to Jan 1st, or any other date,
thus lowering the urgency of immediate action.