What is the supercommittee waiting for?
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
The so-called Congressional super committee has a gigantic task ahead: they need to cut $1.5 trillion from the federal deficit in the next decade.
Which means these 12 lawmakers will have to address the politically sensitive issues of entitlement programs and tax increases – all coming up on an election year.
So far, the super committee has done... wait for it... nothing. In fact nobody even knows where they are.
Politico reports these dedicated public servants are enjoying the August Congressional recess along with the rest of Congress and don't plan to even convene until after Labor Day.
Even though their deadline to come up with these cuts is Thanksgiving.
Several of the members tell Politico they're ready to get to work sooner … but don't hold your breath.
One aide says that one of the co-chairs has been reaching out to every member of the committee - but so far those conversations are more introductory than substantive. And no work on cutting the deficit or raising taxes has been done. Nothing.
Critics are putting a lot of pressure on this committee to make sure its meetings are open to the public and transparent.
One committee member says he's "confident we will have public hearings." Really…the same kind we had with the health care reform bill? All done behind closed doors and rushed onto the floor for a vote before anyone had even read it? The law doesn't require the meetings to be open to the public and earlier this year other debt ceiling negotiations were held behind closed doors.
It's your money, but your government would rather you not know what's being done with it.
Here’s my question to you: What is the supercommittee waiting for?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Bob:
Jack, They are busy working on their tans so they can look good in those public hearings they promise. And when they do get around to meeting, I think if you are rich, you will be fine. The rest of us… too bad. The old saying "He who has the gold rules" has NEVER been more appropriate to our "democratic" form of government!
Simon in Orlando:
Like the scarecrow, lion, and tin man in "the Wizard of Oz"...they're still looking for brains, courage, and heart. And the wizard is in Martha's Vineyard.
Bert in El Monte, California:
Be patient, Jack. A super committee member is not a mere senator or representative. Those global corporate constituents - big oil, securities, investment and pharmaceutical firms - which control Congress at the local level, need more time to talk super-corporate free speech; money!
Tom:
The Republicans have sworn to say, "No!" So it doesn't matter if they never meet. Nothing will come of it. In the Clinton years, we had a surplus. Bush cut the taxes for the rich and we have a deficit. The correct answer to our economy is to end the Bush tax cuts for the super rich, and the Republican answer is, "No!"
Teshia on Facebook:
The Super Committee is waiting for the highest bidder.
Angie:
The Super Committee will wait until the very last minute to present its plan because the longer Americans have to vet it, the more likely it will sink. Washington runs on brinksmanship.
Michael in New Mexico:
It's not a fast food drive up window, it's Congress. Give the souflé time to rise.
@jackcafferty on Twitter
They are waiting for the situation to resolve itself so they can take credit for it. They know that taking money away from someone's favored program is like taking away a bone with meat on it from a hungry pit bull.
Four more years ?
Jerry
Blairsville, GA
Maybe they are waiting for Mr. Goodbar. Or maybe they've fallen and they can't get up. Or perhaps, since they are a super committee, there is kryptonite planted in their offices that is draining them of power. We should only be so lucky.
Ron Paul in 2012...
Jack: The supercommittee of 12 will wait until the last minute to make a decisiion. They will deliberate and debate the issues for 2 1/2 months and will not come up with a majority decision to cut spending. Then because of their willingness not to compromise there will be automatic cuts in spending, such as, $880 billion from defense over 10 years. It is sad, but the atomsphere in Congress is just that toxic. The supercommittee will not solve anything unless there are reasonable men and women on the supercommittee, and a Congress willing to accept their decision.
Jack,
This is stalemate by design ... probably why you even asked the question.
Rick,
Medina, Oh
They are waiting for all their corporate masters to donate more to their campaigns before they decide whether to cut their funding or not.
Warfare.
Jack , What is the old saw that a camel is a horse designed by a committee. It will go nowhere. You might as well put job creating projects (not idiologies) on straws (10 each for the 12 committee members), and have President Obama pick the straws. As agreed to by the committee all projects will be completed in the order picked. Another approach would be to design a Ouija Board with the 120 projects on the board and let Harry Reid and John Boehner work their majic on the order of the projects. Grover Norqust can be the referee for the activities.
Jim
Los Angeles, CA
Most of the 12 members are probably awaiting instructions from their corporate overlords on policies pertaining to the lives and well-being of 300 million + Americans.
I guess they're waiting for another last minute crisis, so they can be declared the heroes that didn't let it happen good luck,
country, here we go again another round of gambling away the our financial future on a bunch of self-serving politicians .
They still have 3 weeks of vacation. That still gives them plenty of time to do less than nothing, finish with a rush job that pleases no one, does no good and sets up the opportunity for a lot of finger pointing and blaming the other party next year for the political season. Which will be good for you and Wolf. You know, keep you off the streets and out of trouble.
I think they all are waiting for one of them to grow a pair!Apollogies to the one female!
I have worked for the U.S. Government in Budget and I also want to know what they are waiting for. Their suspense should have been 10 days. Nothing and nobody in Washington cares what happens in this country. People are hurting and all we do is give them food stamps and money and make Medicaid have heavier expenses. Why doesn't someone think of separating the two – Medicare and Medicaid. Medicare survives by people's input. Medicaid survives by its own appropriation that DOESN'T COME FROM MEDICARE. Why isn't someone awake in Congress?
Jack: I know what the “Super Committee” is waiting for! They are planning the next attack on the poor and middle class! They will fight over attacks on all but the rich! The rich need not worry, every one of these clowns are wealthy and do you really think any of them will attack their kind?
Every one of these clowns has their own agenda, some claim to represent the poor and middle class but they will “Cave” to their equally wealthy cohorts just like Obama “Caved” and the middle class will continue to demise and the poor class will grow as it has done, especially since Clinton left office!
Dan K. Owens Cross Roads, Alabama
Jack it really does not matter when the super committee gets down to business. We already know what the outcome will be. There are too many tea party members on the committee. The outcome will be the same as we just witnessed in Congress on raising the debt ceiling. People would like to see a balanced approach to solving the debt crisis. That means raising taxes on the wealthy and cutting tax loopholes along with serious spending cuts around the board. We all know that it is not going to happen. Politics will take over the committee like the black plague swept Europe.
They are waiting to see where the money flows from. Then they will get down to business of placating those groups ...Insurance companies, banks, oil companies. You don't think they are waiting to hear from the people in their states, do you?
Who cares what they are waiting for. The founding fathers would roll in their grave if they saw such a thing. This committee is unconstitutional and is not represented by every state. They are shoving bi-partisan crap right up the tax payers you know where. Some of the Republicans have signed pledges to never raise taxes, the Democrats will not agree to anything that does not include a tax increase and more spending. If you think they will come to an agreement that will be accepted on the floor, without any amendments or talks about the agreement, well then you are crazy. If they do come up with an agreement it should be a very interesting one. Once again Washington has sold us down the river. Citizens need to become more involved to prevent this type of mess!
The 11th hour and 59th minute
There looking for a good place to run and hide.
Terence , Piscataway, nj
Right now they are all in the pre-super committee phase, which is short for meeting with lobbyist who will sell them...I mean...tell them.... what to do.
While I know they're going to have some tough negotiations ahead of them, and I think it would be good for them to start their work as soon as possible so they don't run out of time before their deadline, I also think it's good that the members of the committee go home and talk to their constituents.
Especially the committee members who are inclined to slap their demands on the table and refuse to consider the other side's demands, or any kind of compromise. The "My way or the highway" people.
Hopefully their constituents are telling them to come up with a balanced solution, and that compromise requires some "give," and not all "take."
What difference does it make, it is just going to be the same old stuff. If they actually do come up with any solutions, they will go nowhere.
Given the history of congressional committees failure to deliver, waiting puts off the inevitable.
To see if they are going to get re-elected. But no matter what they do all of them are going to screw the middle class and the elderly. So bring on a new batch of bashing!
Well, Obama's "plan" is forthcoming in September, so six of the 12 are probably waiting to see what the prez is willing to do. The other six (you can guess which half is which) have already decided what to do and are just waiting for congress to reconvene to restate their premise that cutting spending and only cutting spending is the cure-all for the economy as well as the one and only solution for the government's fiscal problems.
I, for one, am thankful for the hiatus. I hope they wait until 2035, when I will turn 99, to state their already formed opinions and once again fuel you media guys with joke fodder. Meanwhile I plan to join the TP and appear wise and fruitful by announcing proudly and loudly to all who will listen than the US is in fiscal trouble. Like the TP, of course, I will offer no solutions or plans – just scream, rant, and rave that there is a problem. Politics as usual.
I do not await with abated breath the overstated reporting of the opinions of the "committee of superfluosity".
August 24, 2011 at 2:33 pm |
Jack,
I think they are waiting for the release or fireing of the other 523 congressmen we no longer seem to need according to Obama and his cronies!!
Maybe they’re waiting for the summer recess to end. Oh wait a minute, that’s right, the Republicans refused to call recess so our President can’t fill spots that have been vacant for more than 2 years now, with recess appointments. Lovely.
I think it's safe to say they're waiting because they haven't a clue what to do in that these are the same inept corrupt jokers who created this obscene debt in the first place. The whole idea of this ridiculous committee is beyond laughable. Can you imagine what Harry Truman or President Reagan would think of this charade ??? This total lack of presidential leadership ???
Pathetic.
They'll wait until the last minute like they always do - the they'll put forth something to protect the corporations that pay them so well.
We are no longer a nation of, by, and for the PEOPLE - we've become of, by, and for the CORPORATIONS.
This inmature Congress is out to Recess hopefully getting their ears full from their home district constituents.
Maybe they're waiting for the checks to come in from their corporate masters so they'll know what to keep and what to cut. We "small people" (as Tony from BP called us) better hold on to our hats. Goodbye doctor visits. Hello cat food.
Bert in El Monte, CA
Be patient Jack. A supercommittee member is not a mere Senator or Representative. Those global corporate constituents, big oil, Securities and Investments and Pharmaceutical firms, which control Congress at the local level, need more time to talk super-corporate free speech; money! Tories have waited since their single Tea Corp. scheme was dumped in Boston, you can wait too.
Jack it can only be that they are waiting for the consturction of fight cages because it is clear that none of them plan on any kind of deal making.
What is the supercommittee waiting for?
I heard that the Democrats have already had meetings amongst themselves. Not sure if the Republicans have.
Frankly I think that all members of Congress – House and Senate – should have stayed in DC to get this done, but who am I.. Only a voting American.
Jenna
Roseville CA
Hey Jack, you must not have gotten the memo. They're listening to the heart beat of America on the golf course or the pub to determine what the people want them to compromise on. That's a joke. Who knows what their doing except waiting for the highest bidder of the lobbyists, that's not a joke, that's a fact.
Jack, apparently they are deadlocked already! They can't even decide on when to start! We're in trouble. Sioux Falls, SD
Jack: Priorities must come first-"vacation"--" "You may delay, but time will not, and lost time is never found again!"
Like the scarecrow, lion, and tin man in "the Wizard of Oz"...they're still looking for brains, courage, and heart. And the wizard is in Martha's Vineyard.
The Super Committee will wait until the very last minute to present its plan because the longer Americans have to vet it, the more likelihood it will sink. Washington runs on brinkmanship
They are waiting to become super, because they know that they aren't.
Maybe they've realized that there's a very easy solution to this mess. According to the US Census Bureau, in July 2009, the population of the United States of America is 307,006,550. Assuming it's about the same right now, if every single person had to pay $2 per month over the next two years, we would raise $14,736,314,400. Since Republicans are allergic to taxes, they can call it a census fee. That would take care of all of our current debt. As for the debt acquired during that time and in the future, people will be used to paying the census fee so we could simply leave it there. It'll be too small of an individual amount for anyone to complain, and yet large enough to again make us the undisputed leader in world economics.
Jack, they might just be waiting for a historical moment. That moment being a good, common sense idea that they could all agree on. More likely, they are being given their marching orders by their handlers. OOPS! I meant to say their major financial contributors. Tee, hee hee.
Stewartstown, PA
Jack..what's the rush. These people have great jobs, guaranteed retirement and life long medical for them and their spouse(s). So why do they care about us? We don't lobbyists working for us in D.C. We don't have billions or millions to spend on elections. So, we can buy our very own fleet of Congresspeople or Senators. We are just kidding ourselves if we think for a second that our Social Security and Medicare saving are in honest hands. Wall st, wants the money...so they can steal that too.....sorry, I mean "invest" it for us in "safe" stocks.
Nobody knows where they are, they're being briefed to do what they are told to do, by the richest and most powerful people in United States, probably at that resort in California That exclusive millionaire billionaire club.
They are waiting for their summer break to be over. Just because they are on a new committee doesn't mean they don't get recess like the rest of the congress critters. (Except for the senator from Delaware who opens congress for 30 seconds a day so President Obama can't make any recess appointments. Don't you think we might need a new Commerce Secretary, for example, while the economy is barely recovering?)
What they are waiting for is "the last minute" so they can ram their ideas through is such a fashion that "we have to pass it so we can read it". After all, isn't that how major pieces of legislation like the Health Care Law get passed? Why not for this mess??
I can't imagine they will accomplish anything.
The Republicans have sworn to say, "No!" So it doesn't matter if they never meet. Nothing will come of it.
In the Clinton years we had a surplus. Bush cut the taxes for the rich and we have a deficit.
The correct answer to our economy is to end the Bush tax cuts for the super rich, and the Republican answer is, "No!"
Maybe they too are waiting for a brain. Or do they need to wear ruby red slippers and tap their heels together three times for all to be good. No matter how you cut it, in Congress there is a deficit spending mentality and a deficit brain trust.
Possibly a CLUE?? They can't start up jobs without spending money and the Republicans aren't going for that, plus they've already signed a 'pledge' not to raise the taxes on the wealthy.....so that's out. I will say it's nice of the Republicans to be up front about the fact they are there only to protect a small portion of the American people.
Henderson Nevada.
Jack, where have you been? They are on vacation. How many months of vacation do they get a year?
The dirty dozen are stretching out their task because they know voters have a short memory. They are probably in Israel wining, dining, and taking everything AIPAC will shell out. This guarantees the taxpayers-funded Foreign Aid they (Israel) get each year, probably the only developed country that gets foreign aid–and the largest of the gifts doled out. Eve of Texas
Probably waiting on the Fed to print more money and for intrest rates to be lowered (again) so that Americans will feel a false sense of economic recovery and thus "forget" what a mess we as a nation are truly in. In all seriousness Jack, im not expecting much out of the supercommittee, after all, it was these same clowns and their counterparts on the Hill that created the problem to begin with!
Jack,
They are busy working on their tans so they can look good in those public hearings they promise. And when they do get around to meeting, my opinion is that if you are rich, you will be fine. The rest of us...too bad. The old saying "He who has the gold rules" has NEVER been more appropriate to our "democratic" form of government!
They are wating to see what greedy corporation hands over the most amount of money under the table. Those companies will be affected the least by the cuts. Chad Johnson from Kansas City ,Missouri and jobless.
Probably another committe to be named so they don't get blamed for not doing what the majority of the voters want them to do – put America first instead of their lobbyists want.
When I was in high school and college, I usually waited for the last minute to write a term paper or study for an exam. Since our congress generally acts like petulant five year-old children, they're waiting for the last second of the last minute, then they can blame the process as well as each other, go home and tell their constituents that the other guy hit them first, that the situation isn't their fault, and since all of them are millionaires, they won't suffer any economic duress of not reaching an agreement. But they'll still get paid by the taxpayers and enjoy government provided health-care. What a country!
Ah, give them a break. They are on vacation. They've been working hard doing...stuff.
If the supercommittee can't reason any better than Congress, why bother?
I have a bad feeling that the supercommittee will become deadlocked until time runs out and the cuts are made across the board. Heck, this will be fairer than any stupid, deadlocking committee that is half Republican prejudiced to the right and half Democratic predudiced to the left. With both being equally wrong.
If the supercommittee does as predicted why bother? They will just be deadlocked for a longer period.
And people wonder why America got itself into such a pickle and got itself into so deep in debt.
And it has been pointed out that cutting $1.5 trillion over a decade is like trying to tame a lion with a fly swatter.
The Republicans have succeeded in positioning themselves to sit on their hands and obstruct anything resembling progress. Their constituents, that keep reelecting them anyway, don't realize what a bunch of slackers they have in office and the Democrats are too wimpy to point it out. Don't worry about open hearings, there won't be anything said worth listening to and if they do noting, most of the automatic stuff is what the Republicans want anyway. They win.
No doubt It will serve as another front for the battle of presidential election instead: making Obama a one-term president, and the appropriate time for that apparently is not now. The GAME has already been on, Juck.
Pitch forks and torches?
This committee is doing what all politcos do - procrastinate and then tell us how hard they're working Really??
I'll guarantee they will ask for an extension.
They are on vacation Jack. Why waste your time solving the country's problems when you can be out playing golf.
Jack, what difference does it make?
The six Republicans appointed have all signed Norquist's "no tax pledge". That one little fact burns me up!
Two Republican appointees sat on the Alan Simpson committee, and both voted against that proposal.
No revenue, no compromise, no deal. That should take about one day.
As for meetings "open to the public and transparent, it would be a true test of their sincerety to find solutions. Unlike
Cheney's "big oil" meetings who decided our "energy" policy, also behind closed doors.
But more importantly, they are on vacation. Poor things, its hard to work six months out of a year with no
playtime.
JGood question Jack. Perhaps it's because one side is so obstructionist that the committee members are afraid to compromise, so why sit around and twiddle their thumbs. If they don't get a pair and agree to Tax revenue AND serious spending cuts as most Americans have indicated they want, God help theirs and America's future.
They are trying to count all their fingers and toes to determine who gets the cut backs.
They're waiting for the last minute, just like they did with the debt ceiling. Don't forget, Jack, these ARE members of Congress. Why should we expect anything other than business as usual?
The Republicans are waiting for their marching orders from the tea party. The Democrats are waiting on the Republicans.
Noel
Roswell NM
They are on vacation, Jack. we can not expect our loyalty to give up their free time, so lets fire them or send them to Iran.
I am usually not a pessimist, but when it comes to our government the glass is bone dry.
Why does it matter where they are at? Everything that needs to be done has been exposed in one of the many committees and in part in their own ideologies. The problem isn't the lack of ideas or creativity, it is the idea and creativity killer that is their absolute ideologies.
These people have built their walls so high, they have locked themselves in their own prisons.
Jack,
I believe that the 'supercommittee' is waiting for the 'budget fairy' to wave her wand,leaving trillions of dollars of money under their pillows while they are away on vacation.If the private sector had as many vacations as these derlicts do,there would be plenty of jobs for people to cover each other while their co-workers were on vacation.Under the current conditions,we would simply be fired for taking too much time off,as should they.
Greg M. FL
they are relying on the short term memory loss of u.s. in hopes the problem will go away just like they did in past that got us into the dilemma.plus, always conspiring to do nothing around the every 2 year election cycle..
This supercommittee cannot be sanctioned constitutionally. We have the number of representatives from each state separated in two divisions of congress for a reason: representation of all states involved in these important decisions. This committee destroys that representative solution which the Constitutional Congress worked on as a compromise for reasons we are now going to ignore??? On what grounds? The reason is obvious. The Tea Party representatives in Congress threaten to undermine the two-party status quo. This committee limits their influence by eliminating all but diehard Democrats or Republicans from this SuperCongress. We should take this "waiting" period before they act to dismantle the committee before they make any decisions without proper representation.
Orders from Israel and wall street. Duh.
Jack, apparantly, the walls of Congress are made of Kryptonite.
What are they waiing for. you ask: Probably hoping if they wait long enough they'll wake up from this night-mare Nobody wants to tackle this thing BUT they are going to have to.
Gadhafi to come on board, Jack?
Apparently , they are waiting until their much needed vacations are over . Nothing is going to be accomplished anyway, they will just fight each other then the automatic cuts will go into effect, there will be no revenue increases.
Well Jack the first thing that they will do is to form another committee to tell them what to do.
then they will need office space and they will fight over that because one will be larger than
the other. The will be no compromise between the group as nothing has changed in Washington.
Next the Thanksgiving holiday will take up much of that time so then we go into the Christmas
holiday another rest period and there you have government in action. Nothing accomplished!
What a terrible waste of time.
this whole thing is going to be another bad joke on the American people just like the Healthcare "reform" senate committee was esp with that "DINO" (Democrate in name only) Max Baucus as a "Democrate" member. he will probably give away Social Security and Medicare in the name of "compromise" and you KNOW with the Republican lineup, esp with former Club for Growth President Pat Toomey, there will be NO discussion of raising revenue.
so seniors, the poor and the middle class can stand by for a ram AGAIN.
I suspect that the other real cuts were the cuts that will go into affect if this committee does not reach an agreement but the republicans could not agree to those cuts up front without the Tea Party having their head. The committee's a farce and will not agree on anything by the end of the year.
M. Gonzales, Edgewood NM
Humm,
They're analizing what the 17 Committes's before them did? OK, that's a joke. I hope this committee isn't also a joke.I am not holding my breath for this committee to something constructive.
It is time for the Federal Government to get out of the Medical, and Welfare business. It is time for the States to either take up or abandon the welfare business. That's what this committe should do.
Jack,
Maybe they're waiting for all their wealthy campaign contributors to move their money into offshore accounts. Or maybe they're meeting down on the beach to discuss how to further bleed the middle class dry. Or maybe their waiting until Obama's approval rating is worse than theirs. Never mind that the economy is in tatters, and that the unemployment rate is expected to stay at 9% until 2014.
They are waiting for staff to come back from vacation in Delaware. I was in Bethany yesterday and the beaches were packed.
Cynical Jack, aha, love you man, kind of wish both of us could still have a beer together and solve the world's problems. I'm in the same boat as you, so you know, but these congressmen and senators are not. They are addicted to their lobbyists and defense contractors and need these weeks and/or months to minimize the damage to each other. I think they call it "damage control" before they spin the wheel of fortune.
Well Jack I Guess There Waiting For Congress To Reconvene In September I Mean What Kind Of Question Is This? The Subcommittee Will Work To Make The Cuts It Needs To Do And Hopefully Have A Solution By Thanksgiving! John Boehner Is The Speaker Of The House And If He Really Cared He Would've Told The House Not To Leave On Vacation But He Didn't! I Agree With President Obama When He Said "Why Let The Politicans Stay In Washington And Argue? They Need To Go Back Home To Their Districts And Listen To The Thousands Of Angry Voters Who Are Beyond Upset As To How Government Is Operating Then Hopefully They'll Come Back And Be Willing To Negotiate!" But As We All Know Alot Of The Republicans Aren't Even Out Talking To The Voters They're Trying To Avoid Them As Much As Possible, I Can't Wait Till Nancy Pelosi Retains Her Title As Speaker Of The House Come Next Year!
Scott Stodden (Freeport, Illinois)
They are waiting to see who'll throw the biggest check (bribe) at them, we'll be able to tell who shelled out the most greenbacks by what gets cut, reduced or eliminated. 2012 is an election year so don't hold your breath anything substantive will come out of this dog & pony show.
The supercommitte should be called a mini committee. Cutting 1.5 trillion over 10 years is not a super task. Just cutting the defense budget 15% would save 1.5 trillion over 10 years. Abolish the education department and save another 600 billion over 10 years. A one half of one percent tax on the wall street 700 trillion dollar derivatives market would finance the entire government for one year, and eliminate the need for any income tax, a 20% tarriff on chinese imports would bring in more billions and level the playing field for cheap chinese imports sold at wal mart. Stop letting obama and congress make a fool out of you, and vote them all out. If you buy it they will keep selling it to you. Wake up!
I'm not sure what they are waiting for but I suspect they do not have a clue as to what to do on their own and those that influence anything they may do haven't instructed them yet. My concern is that 12 pseudo political henchmen and henchwomen have been given this ridiculous and insane POWER & CONTROL over the economic and personal lives and the destinies of 308,745, 538 men, women and children. Are we insane? Or are just plain ignorant to the max? We, supposedly, have a House and Senate and president, elected and given permission to "represent" us (not them or special interest) honestly, openly and for our best interests. Why then do we assign the task of seeing to the welfare of these millions of lives to 12 nobodies? More importantly, why are we, the 308,745,538 allowing this to take place without question or action? Mr. President and Congress, it is time to take your responsibilities to the American people seriously, do the job you are elected to do and do it now. "Super Committee? Phoney, dishonest, unconstitutional, sinful, criminal, negligent, insane, greed ridden, undemocratic, deceitful and just plain WRONG!
Thom Richer
Negaunee, MI
Those pertenous, bombastic a conceited combustable engines can create heat to move the bus but when it comes to acting on it, somebody forgot to put oil in the engine and the pistons stop working.
It's very sad that we need a super committee to do Congress' job. Our elected officials have become too afraid to take bold stances that their constituents don't like and this super committee gives them the ultimate defense against the large public outcry that will surely result from the large spending cuts that this committee will recommend. Maybe the committee is taking its dear sweet time because they know the media will move on to something else and some of the heat will be taken off them. Given our short memory span, it just might work. Bryn Mawr PA
A frigid occurance in the nether regions?
Because that's what it will take for Congress to do ANYGHINT about the debt or the economy!
Jack, take a look at all those faces. Can't you see what is written on thier foreheads. It say's "I'm retiring soon."
What do they have to lose? Where is the dicipline? Why isn't thier boss telling them to get off thier backsides and get to work? Brainless in Washington.
Two thoughts;
1. Vacation, vacation, vacation
2. Who will grease my palm, the big bucks will win...
Now, now Jack , let's be reasonable. Through 2011, Congress has only taken 68 days of taxpayer-subsidized vacation -without even counting the standard Washington 3 day work week.
Imagine if they actually worked or struggled as hard as the elctorate that sent them to Washington. But that's the key word: imagine. Shame on them all.
I hope they wait FOREVER. This bunch of partisan deadheads couldn't pour pee out of a boot if the instructions were written on the heel. I can't hardly wait until 2012, when hopefully the voters will just completely clean house, send them ALL home, and start over with 435 freshmen congressmembers. Hey, I can dream, can't I?
Jack,
Does the term "when Hell freezes over" come to mind regarding their delay. They would have to shorten their hard earned vacations. Yeah, in a pigs eye!!
These people aren't in office to work. They're there to go to fancy dinner parties. What are they waiting for? Nothing. They don't plan on doing anything.
I think they a waiting for Superman to help them .
Jack,
Like it or not, meetings open to the public accomplish nothing because the committee members spend 100% of their time posturing for their respective bases.
Jim
Reno, Nevada
Dah duh duh dahhhh...Supercommitee to the rescue. Apparently, Kryptonite comes in the form of a solid work ethic. Where's Batman when you need him?
They are not waiting for anything, Jack, they know what they are going to do. They will take that $1.5 trillion out of the hides of the middle class as they always do. Their corporate bribers, I mean sponsors, will settle for nothing less.
Give them a break, Jack. Everyone else is on vacation, why shouldn't they be? They were only just established and their "staffs" are working on getting things organized. We Americans are far too interested in instant gratification. We should cut the President some slack, too. After all, he is trying to clean up a mess made by GW. How can you expect him to correct it all in 2-1/2 years?
They're awaiting moderation...
Jack!
Social Security and Medicare are Not entitlements. They are paid for by the working Americans. It has been the “slush” fund for poor congressional budgeting ever since World War II. Cutting $1.5 trillion from the federal deficit on the backs of seniors is outrageous. I suggest the supercommittee start with reduction of their pay and benefits. Why not lead by example!
~Nina in So. California
They are waiting to see if we are going to have a double-dip recession. If so, their cutting of programs well simply accelerate the downturn. They need to reform the economy and put former taxpayers to work. Cutting government spending won't work. Raising taxes on the rich and closing big business loops well. As a noted economist said yesterday, if we had Clinton's tax rates, there wouldn't be any deficit crisis.
A SUPER kick in the BUTT.
It's summer. Let's all sit here with our congressional representatives and watch the grass grow. Maybe the defcit will go away while we all ponder what it would be like to live in a country where things once again get done. We can dream, can't we?
Jack,
It may be our money but we do not own the legislators nor do we have hoards of lobbyists. One tenth of 1 percent of Americans own more than half of all the wealth in the U. S.
The "super committee" will do as it is told – nothing. Then it may be disbanded and the "automatic" cuts rescinded by another vote of the congress.
They have NO intention of CUTTING anything. This crew couldn't agree on lunch.
What are they waiting for? Guts, backbone or the growth of other body parts. There is nothing new here. There are only a finite number of things that can be done. We don't need a committee or a study. We need real leadership and bravery. Be nice if the President lifted something heavier than a golf club and actually helped get something done.
One is waiting for the other to make the decision that gets them fired from office there both on a one lane bridge and in order to pass one has to get knocked off the bridge this will go on until after the 2012 elections before anything gets done .
With all the committees that has come before them (Simpson- Boles, Gang of 6), and all the negotiations and discussions, and all the advice and opinions from economists, who incidentally should comprise the committee instead of politicians who know little about economics, all the ideas have already been put on the table. So now all they have to do is fight amongst themselves, pander to their bases, and refuse to find common ground, and hold the country hostage for another two months until they agree on another inadequate solution.
I think the committee is waiting foe another break or maybe they first would like to accept more money from lobbyist from the donors
Well Jack, in answer to your question, this super committee is on vacation like the rest of the members of Congress. I definitely would not hold my breath waiting for this so-call super committee to make budget cutting deliberatings and decisions. It may be months before we get a coherent final decision about what items are to be cut. This is not politicallly easy to accomplish.
What they should be doing is reading about economics which they know far too little about. Why are we leaving the most pressing issue to partisan amateurs?
there waiting to get super orders from the top 1%
Their vacations to end....what else?
Simple Jack, they will screw around, play politics, blame each other for the lack of progress and let the automatics cuts come into play…this way a few things happen…They can literally say that it wasn't their fault when the crap really hits the fan..The right, sorry, Tea Party, will blame Obama…the left will blame the Tea Party, and there will be over 2 billion dollars spent to elect GWB light…(and I didn't think it was possible)..However I just saw PAUL BREMER advising us all on what to do in Libya..Ya know, WMD, Gahddafi's Army and what to do with it …You people must be on crack or something..didn;t IRAQ teach you a bloody thing?
Nothing will be accomplished by this committee. Dems will not support cuts and when the "trigger" date is reached will have a ready-made election year pillory to flog Republicans.
It's not a fast food drive up window, it's Congress. Give the souffle time to rise.
From Paradise, CA
They are waiting for the day before the report is due. Business as usual.
What is the super committe waiting for? Perhaps as in my state where Gov. Christie suddenly found $948 million he did not know he was going to have they are waiting for a find. Here is a possible. The Dems promised 120,000 new jobs. The newspapers say they delivered 18,000 new jobs. Now there are news reports saying they have delivered 117,000 jobs. Almost 100,000 new tax returns have showed up. Wonder where they were hiding. Maybe there is more of it hiding somewhere. I wonder if we can find it.
We'd be better off if they did it behind closed doors without any public access whatsoever. Open up the process and every lobbyist comes out of the woodwork and hard decisions don't get made. This is one time that we'd be better off with a deal done behind closed doors.
They're waiting for a super-duper committee, then a few sub-committees, then some lobbyists' money, then an independent group (yet to be selected), then - well, you get the idea, Jack. It's the government.
Joe in Delray Beach, Florida
They're waiting for the moment when Andrew Jackson will tell them what to do from his spot on the twenty dollar bill.
-Littleton, MA
Manna from heaven.
Why not wait? Republicans are against any revenue increases and tax breaks for the not-so-wealthy while Democrats want to raise revenue by getting rid of tax breaks for the wealthy. The Tea Party won't let Republicans inch towards the middle and democrats already feel stretched thin trying to meet republicans somewhere between far right and fringe right. Those dynamics won't change and Republicans have proven that they would rather disable the government than ask "job creators" who aren't actually creating jobs in America to pay alittle extra
John they are not waiting, they are taking time to relax. Taking this time to distance themselves from the issue until they 'have' to do something has worked before right?
The Republicans won't compromise on taxes, and the Democrats won't approve anything without a tax increase on the wealthy, so it is a foregone conclusion that the default defense and social program cuts will occur.
You want to see action? Pay them on commission.
The Super Committee is waiting for the economy to improve which will reduce unemployment and increase tax revenues. This will reduce the deficit. Everyone has figured this out except the Tea Party. Have patience everyone, the 19th Century Tea Party will catch up the the 21st Century eventually, I THINK !!
A miiracle.
The supercommittee (Democrats and republicans) is clearly waiting to get directives from the Tea Party. After the debt ceiling debacle is clear that they rule the Republican party and the Democrats are so scared of them, they won't stand up to them not even to protect Medicare.
Well, Jack as you know must congressional people are into Mayan astrology and the soothsayers at the capitol say there will not be a debt by the end of 2012 so really there is no pressing rush..
What are they WAITING for? They're waiting for instructions from the lobbyists who employ them. They're nothing but a bunch of crooks and liars. I hope they NEVER get it together. The whole idea of a "SUPER CONGRESS" (notice how they stopped calling it that?) is unconstitutional and undemocratic in the first place. How DARE they set themselves up as the sole arbiters of our economic and fiscal future? Most of them have zero qualifications even to be on the committee. If it weren't for our weakling, sold-out corporatist president, there wouldn't BE a "Super" committee. I think it should be disbanded as soon as they convene.
What are they waiting for? Why, the bribes from corporate lobbyists, of course. This is America, after all, the land with the best government that money can, and does, buy.
That's an easy one, Jack. The ONLY thing kindergarteners live for: RECESS
Jack – They are waiting for Godot, otherwise known as our leadership.
The great compromise that created the Super Committee was just kicking the can down the road for another six months. You know that Jack. Why do you sound so surprised. The republicans will not tolerate any tax increases.
The republicans are willing to consider everything but the solution. We all know that Jack. Don't act so surprised.
For those of us who cannot afford a 401K Social Security payments are already so low that retirement is already a thing of the past, so no room for compromise there either.
Come Thanksgiving they will have no choice but to kick the can down the road again. You know that and all of American knows that. Don't act so surprised.
What is really ironic is that NOTHING is probably better than the possibility of what these 12 super-dupers are going to create. By that I mean more arguing, posturing, politicking, and other shenanigans. Let's just enjoy the silence for a bit until the madness begins!
What is the Super Committee waiting for, Capt Kangaroo to return to TV....
If it weren't for the automatic cuts that neither side wants, I would think this task is HOPELESS. I don't see how they can possibly come up with cuts that will pass both houses. I predict the automatic cuts will happen eventually.
They must be waiting for another earthquake to shake some sense into Washington. Let's hope it doesn't take another 100 years.
Jack,
They're waiting for God knows what. You see, the problem with this whole situation is that, whether or not they do what is right by the citizens of this country, they have their free health care and guaranteed pension and that's why the Republicans are so itchy to cut our social security and the Democrats are so spineless to not stand up against the things that the average middle class person needs to survive.
Until they have to play by the same rules as the rest of us the way of the land will be tax breaks for the rich under the guise of "creating jobs" and deep cuts to the programs that most of us desperately need. Ultimately it's a big club and neither you, nor I, are in the club. It sounds so much like the mafia that you'd think we could prosecute the entire government under RICO laws huh?
The members of the Super Committee is waiting for the lobbyist money to pour in. They don't care about us Americans.
They're not waiting for anything. They're just putting of public scrutiny.
The supercommittee members are all talking either directly of through the lobbyists
representing the organizations which are actually writing the bill. They're practicing
their talking points to squash any and all criticism.
The only public scrutiny they will subject themselves to is a few days of confusion
as the public tries to figure out whatever scheme they're trying to rush through
Congress.
jack did you say waiting for they are waiting to come back from vacation to do nothing , i believe its just another title and pay day for our politians, we will get the same results as for the debt ceiling, NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, they just shrunk congress down to twelve people, i think this committee will make it easy for the tea party in 2012, and im a democrat.
Jack, Thanks for my laugh of the week! You are the greatest!
They waiting for the focus to be directly on them where they can bicker and lie and not get nothing done.
I totally lost all confidence in the real interest of the Republican and Tea Party and the "supercommittee". I am convinced this is all politics and they will do everything they can to go in the other direction of what the President and Democrats would want and what is really good for the country. I am very saddened by this entire display of leaders that are "supposed to represent us" but are more interested in making the President look bad. They just bash the President and offer no real suggestions. What are the waiting for,,, hmmm. perhaps to finish praying or thinking of ways to end abortion or ban Gays from Everything.
Crap. I responded to the wrong Cafferty file (above).
In response to this one, though: I think the super committee already knows what they are going to do: nothing. Right now, they are probably just trying to figure out why it is the other side's fault. In any sane culture, the democrats would have it easy – raising taxes on rich people seems like common sense to just about anyone with a sense of our species's long history of struggles between peasants and royalty. But the democrats are hesitant to really pursue this, since they are rented by said royalty. They've got to find some way to give the rich people the free-and-clear while simultaneously not screwing over half the population to their face, or the rich people will just find a different representative to rent or that same half of the population will vote for someone else.
Why should they intererupt their vacations? After all, their retirement programs are not on the line like the people drawing Social Security. Let's take their retirement fund and see how they feel.
Maybe there waiting to c how much money they will get from lobbyist to determine to help them selves or the american people. Hum
They are waiting for someone that might have a brain, so they don't have to make any tough decisions!
Jack,
That's a silly question. Don't you know that this Congress is too inept to do anything pro-active prior to the last possible moment? As with everything in Washington, political cover and political theater are the two top priorities for these feckless fools. And in order to achieve both priorities the final vote of whatever plan that comes out of this so-called super committee will need to be taken on the deadline date, just like the vote for the debt ceiling.
It would be refreshing to see at least some political leaders put the needs of the country first and avoid yet another round of embarrasing vitriol but these careerist idiots simply don't care how much damage they do.
Jack, the republican members are most likely "waiting" in the same sense that deer wait...when they're caught in the headlights of a truck. As much as I've been frustrated that Obama hasn't fired back at the zany neocons and the rabid right wing media on so many issues, I suspect, and hope, that he's tactically destroyed them in the formation of this committee. So many people have bought the myth that there is significant money to be cut from the budget without cutting defense, social security and medicare. There isn't, and these republican leaders know it. Now they have to pick their poison: admit their lies that they have to push for social security cuts or admit their lies that the richest won't have to pay a tad more in taxes to close the budget gap. In fact, they know they'll have to admit to both sets of lies, and it must make then want to vomit while curled up in a fetal position. I think Obama may well be a better chess player than many of us realized. I love the agony these zany righties are suffering.
They're waiting to see who's willing to pay-to-play besides the Military Industrial Complex.
John S., Illinois
Jack,
The super committee is nothing more than a super representation of the power of capitalism. Remember that capitalism is destined to eventually consume itself. Present day United States government is represented by greedy capitalist (both Left and Right) and the major preoccupation of our elected officials are no longer ready to fight for what they claim to stand for. I am pretty sure that the outcome of this super committee will be super deal that will give leverage to greedy Republican agendas that the greedy Democrats are not deter because they only calculate their political status rather fighting for the needs of the American working class. America, this is super bad.
They are really being pragmatic... If you were an elected representative, you would do your homework before jumping into a committee. Reality...All representatives SHOULD be consulting with economic advisors with respected opinions before doing anything. To follow your Cafferty advise and just meet now...that to me is not pragmatic...that is not doing your home work. Study...Study...get the best infornation possible...then..you can get together and try and solve the problem. It will be tough enough even with the best minds giving advice to our representatives to solve this problem. Who flies to the moon without building a space ship? Herb
Jack
only half ready to go, the other half has to check with Grover Norquist to see exactly what his pledge will permit them to do. They seemed to have confused Pledge to America with Pledge of Allegiance
They're probably just trying to enjoy their brake before they're chewed to bits by the political world. While procrastination is never good in politics you can't blame them for not wanting to rush in and do their jobs, I doubt anyone would want to trade places with any member of Congress right now let alone one of the group under the most stress and scrutiny at the moment.
The fact is that if our own government has been running the monetary system instead of private bankers. We wouldn't need an absurd "super committee". That still wont get answers from the FED.
Stop the nonsense and let our own government control the monetary system.
Perhaps being dumb but not stupid, the super committee realizes that because they will not achieve anything, there is no need to hurry.
Jack, now that's a silly question. Are you aware how long it takes one to get back into the groove after a vacation.......at least another two weeks just to find their business clothes.
They are probably waiting for the majority of the American people to forget they exist, so they can go about the business of deciding how our lives will go without public scutiny. It shouldn't take long . . . as a nation, we have a notoriously short attention span.
COMMITEE!!!!!! I thought someone invited me to COME TO TEA and when they mentioned Super I thought it ment they were going to serve little finger sandwiches. Hell, Jack I'm still on vacation......after all I did work the whole week before ging on vacation......what else does one want from me.