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OTTUMWA, IOWA -- We are just days away from approaching the so-called ‘Fiscal Cliff’ which was created by Congress and the President last year to force themselves to deal with the issue of taxes and spending.

So now the time has come to address the issue and Congress is finding it very difficult to come to an agreement.

If an agreement is not reached, it will mean significant tax increases for all Americans.

Here is what local Democrats are saying:

“It's difficult when you have one party, the Republicans, who appear to be totally beholden to Grover Norquist, whoever elected him to be anything, who says 'you can't vote for tax increases or we'll take you out in the primary.’ So, I think what’s going to happen is, we will go off the cliff January 1,” said Steve Siegel, Wapello County Supervisor.

Siegel said he predicts that sometime during the first week of January, Congress will come to an agreement which will include some tax increases.

He added that by that time, the tax increases will have gone into effect so the Republicans will be able to justify it by saying they’re lowering taxes.