I just want to show my appreciation for Senator Reid

[MannyGoldstein]

His plan calls for saving a trillion by actually ending some of our wars, and not by slashing Medicare and Social Security. No tax increases, unfortunately, but it seems to be the least-awful plan out of Washington to date for dealing with this fully-fake crisis.

[Drale]

1. The whole supercongress thing is stupid though

although I suspect it would either be ruled unconstitutional or it would have no power because they would have the same fights as in the full congress, aka the Repukes would never let anything happen EVER!.

[TheWraith]

2. There is no "supercongress."

12 congresscritters get together, make some deficit reduction suggestions, and the Senate votes on it. The whole "unconstitutional supercongress" thing got started by people who are either fearmongering or didn't read the details.

[enlightenment]

4. Actually, elements of the plan are

certainly 'extra-constitutional' - you kind of glossed over the part where the majority of Congress (those not on the committee) do not get to debate the proposed legislation, they are only allowed an up or down vote. Nor are they allowed to propose amendments.

Rather defeats the whole concept of representation that is presumably afforded to both the people and the states by the Constitution, don't you think? I'd like to think that my representatives were allowed to at least offer their opinions in open, transparent debate on the floor of the House and the Senate, rather than being reduced to a single word on legislation that is agreed upon in private by a select few.

And what makes you think that this committee would evaporate after they 'resolve' the deficit issue? Once something like this is allowed it will be called upon again and again - because that's how they like to operate.

I read the details and it's a terrible idea with horrific ramifications.

[TheWraith]

5. Voting on something without "debate" (theater) or amendments isn't even that unusual.

Let alone unconstitutional. You're creating imaginary boogeymen.

[enlightenment]

7. I disagree.

And the fact that you consider the normal functioning of the Legislative branch as "theatre" tells me that you haven't a real clue what you're talking about. You're pretty good at slinging mud, though.

[Merlot]

3. Not spending money on wars is a BIG thing. I'd like to see that even at the

expense of no increases to taxes to corporations and wealthy. No bigger waste of money than war.

[demosincebirth]

6. Sen Reid has taken a lot of shit here in the past. I'm glad someone is

giving him some kudos.

[Evasporque]

8. End both wars and I would support a free pony for the top 1%....nt