COMMENTARY | House Democrats just don't get it. The "super committee" has to cut spending and that means they can't protect every federal program in the budget. But, that is just about what Democrats are asking the grand committee to do.
With letters of recommendation independent of majority committee members, House Democrats elected to make their own recommendations to the deficit cutting super committee. They recommend protecting Social Security -- that's a no-brainer. Republicans would argue that their proposals are protecting Social Security as well. After all, there is no candidate from either party campaigning to destroy Social Security. It's all a matter of perspective when it comes to how it will be saved for future generations.
Democrats also recommended increasing taxes on the wealthiest of Americans. That is a proposal that the super committee cannot accomplish -- it's not in their mandate -- and couldn't pass through the House even if it was recommended. Republican leaders in the House and Senate have been unanimous in opposition to raising taxes.
Democrats on the Ways and Means Committee want to "spur job creation and economic health today," according to a report by Associated Press. Not profound either. I dare say the entire Congress would like to accomplish those lofty, very general goals. Identifying the problem hasn't ever been the issue. The issue remains in how to do it.
My favorite was the lack of recommendation from Democrats on the House Appropriations Committee. They only suggested that the super committee come up with some recommendation so that the automated cuts do not take effect. That a pretty unimpressive solution from the folks responsible for appropriating nearly $1 trillion of the federal budget each year. In fact, Appropriations Committee members are most to blame for the deficit in the first place. They hold the key to immediate cuts in federal spending.
Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, asked the super committee to take "bold and immediate action to create jobs." Vague, but I kind of like that. Harkin is maverick enough to embrace a bold jobs package that makes sense, but it's unlikely the committee will have enough bipartisan support or time to create such a plan.
Whatever the cuts the committee may propose, they are certainly running out of time to begin making them. The committee must report its recommendations before Nov. 23. To do that, they are going to have to cut a little here and a little there. No program can be entirely off the table.
Dan McGinnis is a freelance writer, published author and former newspaper publisher. He has been a candidate, campaign manager and press secretary for state and local political campaigns for more than 30 years.
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