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What a Cowardly Idea!

Dec 14, 2009 | By: Mr_Blue | (0) Comments | Permalink | Tags: cowards, republicans, democrats, deficit commission, federal deficit

Senators Kent Conrad and Judd Gregg are proposing a “Deficit Commission” - an 18 member commission that would propose spending cuts and revenue increases aimed at bringing the deficit under control. The commission would make recommendations that would be submitted to the House of Representatives and Senate for a vote. An approval would require a SUPERMAJORITY in House and Senate. If legislators need a Deficit Commission to have them do their job then why do we need to pay them $174,000 per year?

This proposal for a Deficit Commission is cowardly on several levels. First, just the idea of delegating a very important duty of Congress to a commission is in itself shirking responsibilities. Secondly, come on - approval requires a supermajority which is 60 votes in the Senate and something new for the House.

Is the federal deficit a problem? Yes, but it was a problem before the Great Recession and instead, while economy was “growing”, we got huge tax cuts, a huge give away to pharmaceutical companies in the form of Medicare Part D, and two wars. Where were all these deficit hawks then? Oh, that’s right voting in favor of these items. Now, we get this Deficit Commission.

Investigate, deliberate and appropriate are a major part of the job description for a legislator. Hell, Article I, Section 9 of the U.S. Constitution states: “No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by law..” Part of appropriations process is determining spending priorities, debating, compromising and making tough decisions particularly for congressional leadership. But, Senators Conrad and Gregg want the political cover of a Deficit Commission to make the hard choices, particularly when it comes to Social Security, Medicare or taxes. How easy is that - “well the Deficit Commission recommended it”? Here is something novel - do your fu*king job!

This Conrad-Gregg proposal requires a supermajority for approval of a Deficit Commission recommendation - a straight up or down vote. A supermajority! Hell, when was any controversial piece of legislation particularly when it came to the federal budget passed with a supermajority. This proposal has failure written all over it.

Look, if these Senators think Social Security and Medicare are such a problem then why don’t they propose changes or cuts NOW instead of hiding behind a Deficit Commission? Let’s put on the proverbial table. Cowards.

The fact is Social Security is not the problem that these deficit hawks say it is - Social Security is still running a surplus and trillions in reserves (here some myths about Social Security and here). As for Medicare, it is a problem because of an aging population and spiraling health care costs. Spiraling health care costs can be addressed through REAL health care reform which both Conrad and Gregg oppose.

Could we stop with these proposals that make it look like Congress people and the White House are doing their jobs? Could we have proposals that actually address the problems that we face instead of window dressing? Is that too much to ask?

Here is a proposal IF Congress passes this cowardly idea: reduce the current salary of congress people by 50%.

BTW, if you are not happy with this proposal the Campaign for America’s Future has an online petition you can sign to voice your opposition to this cowardly idea.

Good luck.