Not surprisingly, the Super Committee established as a compromise during the Boehner-McConnell Debt Ceiling Debacle has failed to find a formula to trim $1.2T from government deficits over the next decade.
Simply stated, Republicans want all of the savings from spending cuts to key programs for the middle class and poor, and Democrats want a large fraction from restoring taxes and tax rates to the rough balance they enjoyed during our economic heyday.
But, had they been agreed, none of these measures were to have been effective until 2013 anyhow.
Hence, the Super Committee can still salvage something that, for a Congress whose approval rating is just slightly north of Fidel Castro's, would actually make the American people feel empowered.
This is the proposal: All 12 Super Committee members agree to package two alternative plans in their proposal. The only criterion for each plan is that it cut the $1.2T (or more) from government deficits over the next decade. By doing that, sequester of military and medicare spending can be avoided.
Democrats and Republicans each get to submit one plan to this package. Because the CBO's rules forbid it from breaking apart bills for scoring, a provision would have to be added that the CBO score each of the plans separately.
Although technically one Congress cannot bind the next, an agreement that each plan get an up-or-down vote when the new Congress is seated can be made by the parties.
Then, run the November elections with each party touting its own plan that has been scored by the CBO, so the opportunities for dissembling are reduced.
There are 3 potential outcomes: i) the Republicans win the November elections, and Congress votes for the Republican plan; ii) the Democrats win the elections, and Congress votes for the Democratic plan; iii) the election results are ambiguous, returning divided government.
Under the first and second scenarios, the people would have spoken, and the American people would have directly chosen the country's direction in a clearly demarcated 'referendum.' The public outcry over the newly-elected Congress not following through on their representations would be so enormous that it is unlikely that even these glass-bubble inhabitants would fail to get the message.
The problem, of course, is the third outcome, a continuation of divided government. That is no different than it is today, the only hope being that those who participate in our next round of dysfunctional democracy care just a bit more about the American people than the current crop of Tea Partiers and crazies. But, if the American people return divided government, they get what they want.
The Super Committee has the opportunity to create the closest thing to a 'national referendum' that our system of government provides. People on all sides of the argument want to be empowered, and this would do it.
The time is right. The implications are large. The outcome, whatever it is, will be appropriate for a democracy.
Who knows, Congress's approval rating may even soar to 10% -- about the half of the percent of dentists who do not recommend Crest®.
Follow Paul Abrams on Twitter: www.twitter.com/pabrams2001
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Oh, BTW.....Newt Gingrich.. When we have jobs to go back to after you are done spewing ignorance and hate from that hole you call a mouth. That hallow nugget on your neck bone you call a brain has deflated quicker than a needle in a thin old balloon.
Lastly, In case you need help, I'd be happy to spray you down with some pepper spray and then see who needs a shower then. You will never get that job as President. No way. Would YOU like a job application to McDonalds? I hear they are hiring... You may want to sharpen up that resume sir. : )
More GOP will be standing in the unemployment line soon enough. Just watch.
The Bush Tax cuts have and are a non-negotiable for us. Period. They should have been gone a long time ago and it is STILL political suicide for anyone, including Obama if these are not FINALLY stripped clean..and close the corporate loopholes.
Here is the good news: You will see this country revolt more than they already are . Occupy Wallstreet is now Occupy U.S in some aspects. The underground Democrats/Independents and the super liberals are growing in numbers that will not be denied nor pushed aside anymore. The jig is up guys. The message is out there and clear. We are in the streets now. Try and stop it. It's a high speed train now with no brakes.
1. The Supercommittee was formed with language that requires an AGREEMENT, not two separate
proposals. So, having separate proposals from each party does nothing.
2. Fiscal Year 2013 (FY13) planning is just around the corner. Typically, each agency is finalizing FY
plans in Jan-Feb since the FY starts on Oct 1. BY LAW, the President has to submit a budget to
Congress in Feb. So, talking about cuts that don't become "effective until 2013 anyhow" seriously
downplays the urgency of getting this done.
3. Lastly, the role of the Senate Republicans' ability to use the filibuster to prevent any Democrat
bill from passing is not even mentioned....which is how we got to where we are. Earlier today, even
McCarthy (R-CA) said the problem was the Senate!
With a trade deficit less government spending means that the only other support for the economy is for the private sector to then increase its spending. We just got off a 30 year credit expansion and we think the private sector should go further into debt? We are trying to deleverage and if the government tries to fight that then the economy will just simply contract more and unemployment will rise more.