Patch, Starbucks Team to Avert Fiscal Cliff

On any given day, Safety Harbor and Washington, D.C., might seem like they’re a million miles apart. Today is not one of those days.

As Congress and President Barack Obama attempt to hash out differences to stop America from falling over the “Fiscal Cliff,” Patch and Starbucks are teaming up to urge Republicans and Democrats to “come together.”

The two companies are working together to make sure Congress gets the message America wants a viable solution to the country’s financial woes.

The so-called Fiscal Cliff encompasses all of the budget cuts and tax hikes that will automatically kick in if Congress doesn’t take action before Jan. 1, 2013. Some economists say the automatic changes will push the country into another recession. The White House estimates the tax increases will cost 114 million middle class American families at least $1,600 a year each.

Patch and Starbucks say it’s time for elected officials to come together to find a solution.

“As an organization, Patch is built on the idea of strengthening local communities and bringing democracy to life,” wrote Jon Brod, chief executive officer and co-founder of Patch. “Our network of websites delivers not only relevant, hyper-local information, but also amplifies the voices of our users. And with difficult choices facing our elected officials in the coming days and weeks, the need for citizens to speak up and be heard has never been greater.”

Brod announced a joint initiative with Starbucks stores in the Washington, D.C., area that runs through Dec. 28. During the multi-day push, Starbucks employees in the D.C.-area will write “Come Together” on their customers’ cups to “celebrate the spirit that has always bridged the differences dividing us.”

Patch is supporting the effort through advertising and editorial content. It’s also launched patch.com/fixthedebt.

Yesterday, we asked Patch readers to share how the potential tax increases would impact their families and what should be done to prevent them.

We’d like to hear your thoughts, Safety Harbor! Are you worried about the potential tax increases? How will they impact your family’s spending? Have you spotted any local Starbucks stores offering the "Come Together" cups? Let us know by posting in the comments section.