What happens next on the Deficit Commission

[ProSense]

What happens next on the Deficit Commission

by Chris Bowers

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1. The commission will not issue a final report

While the members of the deficit commission will vote on today’s recommendations on Friday, when they do so they will just be 18 people holding a vote on something, and not the formal deficit commission created by President Obama. This is because the deficit commission ceases to exist at midnight, tonight. As commission co-chair Alan Simpson said:

To those who just wish the commission would go away, Simpson had one bit of good news: “That’s exactly what we’re going to do December 2.”

Further, the by-laws of the commission state:

The Commission shall vote on the approval of a final report containing a set of recommendations to achieve the objectives set forth in the Charter no later than December 1, 2010. The issuance of a final report of the Commission shall require the approval of not less than 14 of the 18 members of the Commission.

With the vote pushed to Friday, there will not be a final report from the commission. Instead, 18 people will simply say if they like the commission’s recommendations or not.

2. There will never be a Congressional vote on the recommendation package

Even though the commission will not issue a final report, it is still technically possible for Congress to vote on the package of recommendation put forth by the co-chairs. However, while technically possible, this also will not happen. The reason it will not happen is because this is simply a list of recommendations, and not an actual piece of legislation.

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3. Congress will draw up its own budget.

The recommendation package will never be voted on. Instead, the proposals are designed to help swing the political conversation on deficits in favor of the proposals preferred by the two co-chairs, Alan Simpson and Erskine Bowles. The Associated Press paraphrases Bowles admitting as much:

Bowles says it's just as important to have jump-started a national debate on what it'll really take to bring the deficit under control.

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4. Budget Committees will likely propose more severe recommendations.

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[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

1. In other words, not a damn thing.

Like the people who are not batshit insane have said all along.

[Vincardog]

2. GOOD another stab at Social Security bites the dust

[Beetwasher]

3. I Had A Bet With A DU'er And It Appears I Won (Not Calling Them Out By Name, They Know Who They Are)

"To sum up, I'm willing to bet $10 that the commission will ignore its own rules (December 1 deadline, 14 votes required to present a recommendation) and nobody will care. The commission will propose raising the retirement age, and cutting social security benefits for new retirees, and those proposals will be adopted. I'm not sure of the timing of those proposals, but I'll say that the retirement age will be raised to age 70 from the present 67, and benefits will be cut for new retirees beginning somewhere around 2016."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=9658689&mesg_id=9661379

Since they will be wrapping up and not ignoring their own rules, I win. If the DU'er in question prefers to wait a few days, I'm fine with that, but as far as I'm concerned, I win. I don't believe there is any reason to wait to see if any of their recommendations are adopted as I already win on the first point.

[harun]

4. Betting Congress critters will ignore their own rules is always an easy win.

[Beetwasher]

6. Except They Aren't Ignoring Their Own Rules And I Win

The commission is over as of midnight and no final report will be issued, per the rules. If no final report is issued and the commission wraps up on time, I win.

[hulka38]

5. The opinions of the co-chairs and other members will serve as another weight

added to the "cut SS" end of the scale. Public opinion will be shaped and molded from the echoed sound bites of these esteemed, responsible and patriotic Americans acting with only the country's best interests at heart.

[ProSense]

7. Really?

Social Security is the third rail. Why do you think there has been all this outrage and people declaring that if the President cuts Social Security he's through?

This commission is likely a nail in the cut Social Security argument.

What's likely to happen, and should, is the progressive ideas from others should stand out.

[hulka38]

8. Oh yeah.

Do you think Simpson and Bowles standing side by side agreeing at every interview that in the interest of the nation's security that cuts to SS must be made is going to help the "don't touch SS" cause?

[ProSense]

9. "Do you think Simpson and Bowles standing side by side agreeing at every interview

that in the interest of the nation's security that cuts to SS must be made is going to help the 'don't touch SS' cause?"

Yes, most people see them as clowns, and economists think they're not serious. They are not going to make Social Security any less of a third rail than all the other hacks who came before them.

[hulka38]

10. Okay.

I completely disagree but I appreciate your straightforward answer.