Russ Feingold: Statement on the Selection of the Super Committee Members

[Horse with no Name]

http://www.progressivesunited.org/blog/statement-on-the-selection-of-the-super-committee-members

August 02, 2011

By Former U.S. Senator Russ Feingold

"The make up of the so-called Super Committee will go a long way in determining its final work product. Democratic leadership will be greatly tempted just to appoint the usual suspects, namely the chairs of committees with arguable jurisdiction or very senior members of the caucus. That would be an enormous mistake.

Unlike almost all other legislation considered by Congress, the work product of the Super Committee will not be subject to amendment. The House and Senate will have to consider that legislation on an up-or-down vote. There will be no opportunity to reject provisions, such as potential cuts to Social Security or Medicare benefits. Nor will there be an opportunity to support efforts to bring more balance to the measure by closing corporate tax loopholes.

This makes it absolutely critical that the Democratic members appointed to the committee fairly reflect not only their respective caucuses but also the overwhelming views of the general public.

I urge Leaders Reid and Pelosi to do the right thing by rejecting the usual suspects, and instead appoint progressive champions who will stand up to the corporate interests that will seek to shape the Super Committee’s deficit reduction legislation."

Russ Feingold is the founder of Progressives United. Previously, he served for 18 years as a U.S. senator from Wisconsin. Feingold served on the Judiciary, Foreign Relations, Intelligence, and Budget committees.

[MineralMan]

1. Very good advice from Feingold.

I hope it's taken.

[bvar22]

2. Expect the Super Congress to mirror the Cat Food Commission,

or Obama's cabinet.


The DLC New Team

(Screen Capped from the DLC Website)
http://www.dlc.org/ndol_ci.cfm?contentid=254886&kaid=86&subid=85

To expect anything else at this point would be unrealistic.

The WORST part of the Super Congress is the No Amendments, Up or Down vote,
because that will allow them to put in some crumb like the Unemployment Extension Scam
and give cover for those casting a YES vote.
This perfectly sets up ANOTHER Hostage Crisis.
THEN we will get to hear all the excuses that have become so familiar:

"Why do you hate the unemployed?" (Or whoever this particular crumb will go to)

"This is "historic" reform legislation, look at all the good (crumbs) we got!"

"We couldn't let the Perfect be the Enemy of the Good."

"This is the best we could do under the circumstances."

"We didn't have the votes.

"This is a Step Forward."

"Today, we saved our children from a crushing deficit."

"We needed to get something done NOW."

"We will Fix it Later."

"Its ALL Joe Lieberman's fault."

"I am on record for protecting Social Security, but I had to vote FOR this overall package."

"The American People wanted us to do this."

"We are HEROES for Standing Up to the Special Interests (like Old people)."

[Horse with no Name]

3. +1000. OR...sparing the niceties...what did you want? A fucking pony????n/t

[Enrique]

4. "rejecting the usual suspects"

:thumbsup:

[Segami]

7. I gather he's referring to ' BlueDogs '

[Enrique]

10. maybe he means one in particular

Kent Conrad, who served on two separate "Gangs of Six" in the Obama era.

[dixiegrrrrl]

5. So he did NOT say

this Committee bypasses Congress and gives 13 people the power to write bills, to decide budgets, to decide policy, and Congress has NO input or debate about it.

That used to be called a Politburo.

[WinkyDink]

6. Fifty cents says Russ isn't chosen. :-)

[Major Hogwash]

8. But the Super Committee can't propose cuts to Social Security or Medicare.

That's what Willy Giest said on Joe Scarbrow this morning and that guy named John from Politico agreed with him, and ex-Congressman Ford agreed with them.

So, we're all safe from those kinds of cuts!

Yeah, right!

:sarcasm:

[librechik]

9. six blue dogs,six teapartiers

Betcha 5 bucks.

[Enthusiast]

11. Good advice but it won't happen.

Only blue dogs need apply.