How to Create a Iron-Clad Progressive 'Super Committee' that will Vote in the Peoples Interest.

[grahamhgreen]

We need to get EVERY DEM on the committee to sign a pledge - if possible, a contract - that they will ALL VOTE TOGETHER.

The 'Cat Food Commission Extreme' AKA 'Super Committee' needs but a simple majority to pass whatever draconian budget cutting plan they come up with.

Let's face it, the R's strategy will be to peel ONE Dem committee member and have them vote with them on whatever evil plan they come up with.

They will do it by offering the Dem all kinds of incentives in the form of money and power.

If we can get them to ALL STICK TOGETHER, by signing a pledge or contract, then we can avoid this impending catastrophe.

Sample pledge:

It is the goal of the members of this committee to enact a budget that re-tax the wealthiest people and corporations at pre-Reagan levels, and to slash defense spending by 50%. Raising taxes on the wealthiest and cutting "Defense" spending are supported by a wide majority of not just Democrats, but the American people.

I pledge not to cut social services.
I pledge to allow the Bush tax cuts to expire.
I pledge to increase taxes on the wealthiest beyond allowing the Bush tax cuts to expire since they are the ones who can afford it.
I pledge to close loopholes on the wealthiest and the wealthiest corporations, not the middle class, to increase revenues.

I pledge to vote as a block with my fellow Democrats on the committee to achieve this goal. Failure to do so will considered an immediate resignation, and forfeiture of all benefits associated with having worked in the US Govt..

Or, similar (I'm just dashing this off before work)..... Or, at least - THEY SHOULD SIGN A PLEDGE TO VOTE AS A BLOCK, IMHO.

Then when the President has the proclivity to feel sorry for Congressional members because of their pledges, it can be for the Dems and not the Tea Party.


If we don't do something like this, what will be our guarantee that each individual will act in our best interest?

[LynneSin]

1. What we also need to do is get one of the following republican senator women on the committee

Either Snowe or Collins (whichever one is NOT up for re-election in 2012) or Lisa Murkowski.

[grahamhgreen]

9. My bet is that their side will be iron-clad against revenue (except for raising taxes on the middle

class)

[LynneSin]

10. Lisa Murkowski is pissed at her party for selling her out to the Tea Party

She could be the one that could make the difference

[vi5]

2. Great plan. Never happen.

Since the Senate members will be either Conrad, Nelson, Baucus, Leiberman, Manchin, or Warner (is anyone naive enough to think it won't be at least some combination of these jokers?) they will never sign that.

[grahamhgreen]

6. Isn't it time we started enacting the great plans, instead of the sh!t ones?

It's got to happen some day!

[vi5]

7. Yes, it's about time...

But who exactly with any sort of tangible power will act and help on our behalf?

Yes, I agree with the whole people power thing and it's in our hands, etc. But the sad reality of it is, that only gets us so far. And when you have politicians who are ostensibly "on our side" in reality actively working to put up road blocks to us doing this, it makes it even harder to actually accomplish anything.

[dtexdem]

3. There IS no way to turn the Big Death Panel to our advantage.

Even if every Dem actually stuck to such a pledge, the committee would deadlock -- meaning that big cuts would come automatically into being.

The only way out of this mess would be to:
1. have Dems on the BDP that would delay any actions;
2. win back the House while retaining the WH and the Senate (although I'm not sure that reelecting Obama would mean retaining the Wh); and
3. have a new Congress repeal the atrocity that established the Big Death Panel and that would instead vote to raise taxes on the rich, while preserving needed programs and services.

[mmonk]

4. Better yet, this super committee needs to scrapped.

It just a mechanism cowards can hide behind and blame others for.

[Better Believe It]

5. Here's how. Don't let the Congressional leadership appoint them!

[iemitsu]

8. it will be like rule by the apostles.

the anointed 12.
it would be un-godly to object.