'Super Congress': Debt Ceiling Negotiators Aim To Create New Legislative Body

[DeSwiss]

Source: Huffington Post

'Super Congress': Debt Ceiling Negotiators Aim To Create New Legislative Body


Ryan Grimm | Huffington Post | Posted: 7/23/11 10:48 PM ET

WASHINGTON -- Debt ceiling negotiators think they've hit on a solution to address the debt ceiling impasse and the public's unwillingness to let go of benefits such as Medicare and Social Security that have been earned over a lifetime of work: Create a new Congress.

This "Super Congress," composed of members of both chambers and both parties, isn't mentioned anywhere in the Constitution, but would be granted extraordinary new powers. Under a plan put forth by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and his counterpart Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), legislation to lift the debt ceiling would be accompanied by the creation of a 12-member panel made up of 12 lawmakers -- six from each chamber and six from each party.

Legislation approved by the Super Congress -- which some on Capitol Hill are calling the "super committee" -- would then be fast-tracked through both chambers, where it couldn't be amended by simple, regular lawmakers, who'd have the ability only to cast an up or down vote. With the weight of both leaderships behind it, a product originated by the Super Congress would have a strong chance of moving through the little Congress and quickly becoming law. A Super Congress would be less accountable than the system that exists today, and would find it easier to strip the public of popular benefits. Negotiators are currently considering cutting the mortgage deduction and tax credits for retirement savings, for instance, extremely popular policies that would be difficult to slice up using the traditional legislative process.

House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) has made a Super Congress a central part of his last-minute proposal, multiple news reports and people familiar with his plan say. A picture of Boehner's proposal began to come into focus Saturday evening: The debt ceiling would be raised for a short-term period and coupled with an equal dollar figure of cuts, somewhere in the vicinity of a trillion dollars over ten years. A second increase in the debt ceiling would be tied to the creation of a Super Congress that would be required to find a minimum amount of spending cuts. Because the the elevated panel would need at least one Democratic vote, it would be presumably include at least some revenue, though, if it's anything like the deals on the table today, would likely be heavily slanted toward spending cuts. Or, as Obama said of the deal he was offering Republicans before Boehner walked out, "If it was unbalanced, it was unbalanced in the direction of not enough revenue."

Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/23/super-congress-debt-ceiling_n_907887.html

---

- So we're down to the gimmicks.

Well I guess if banks are allowed to create money out of thin air, then I suppose Congress pulling a Super Congress out of their asses was inevitable.......

DeSwiss




''Do not waste your time on Social Questions. What is the matter with the poor is
Poverty; what is the matter with the rich is Uselessness.'' ~George Bernard Shaw

[Wilms]

1. "Gang of Six" was such a smash hit, let's go for "Twelve"!

:sarcasm:

[DeSwiss]

2. I'm tellin ya. These people are useless. :-/ n/t

[Kablooie]

10. How about a gang of 24? Wait! I've got it! A gang of 48. Even better, a gang of 96!

Or maybe a gang of 535? Yeah!
Dat's da ticket!

[Joe Bacon]

61. Why don't they just put 69 stooges on the panel

Because we're all going to get screwed by the Koch Brothers anyway...

[Plucketeer]

169. Shoot!

the THREE STOOGES would be better!

[Kennah]

18. How about a gang of plank?

[BumRushDaShow]

54. DUzy!!

:rofl:

[man4allcats]

97. + 1. This is the one I like.

They are totally useless. A gang plank would be suitable for dealing with them. :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[Iggo]

103. Bam!

:toast:

[blackbart99]

221. +1000 Kenah

:rofl: :applause: :fistbump:

[JJW]

71. The buck stops with the......

wizard behind the curtain. Fact is you know this is going to be really bad when both parties want to deny any responsibility.

Our answer needs to be; no taxation without representation.

[woo me with science]

210. That is one horrifying first sentence.

"Debt ceiling negotiators think they've hit on a solution to address the debt ceiling impasse and the public's unwillingness to let go of benefits such as Medicare and Social Security that have been earned over a lifetime of work: Create a new Congress."


They have hit on a SOLUTION for the PROBLEM of the public. The public that is "reluctant" to allow theft of their earned money.

This is just surreal. We do not have representatives anymore.


.

[yurbud]

225. yep--purpose of Gang of Six is to neuter democracy. Now they want to institutionalize it

[Islandlife]

228. Perfect post to begin the discussion.

Congrats Wilms. You hit it out of the park.

[Sherman A1]

3. One little problem...

The US Constitution, that pesky little document might come into play.....

[DeSwiss]

6. Oh, that old thing?

They only use that to tell us what rights we don't have anymore. You know, now that they've made most of them moot anyhow since they have to save us from all the terrorism and headless illegal aliens and stuff.

[kelly1mm]

8. It is just a joint select committee. It is constitutional. Both houses

still have to vote on any bill, just a straight up or down, no amendments, just like BRAC.

[Uncle Joe]

132. This will magnify the Republicans' filibuster power.

[kelly1mm]

202. True, but it worked for the BRAC. Hard decision sometimes need something

like this. Congress is often spineless.

[peace frog]

“Stop throwing the Constitution in my face!11!"

“It’s just a goddamned piece of paper!”

[ooglymoogly]

81. They haven't payed attention to it thus far.

why should they start now. Its win win...two birds with one dead brain. Kill the new deal and take a giant leap toward fascism.

[SaveAmerica]

85. Hey!! Don't tread on them!! They're making our new constitooshun!

[papa3times]

98. Super Congress

Don't worry our Supreme Court will make sure the constitution does not get in the way of this. They will just rule it constitutional. End of argument!

[Trajan]

114. Yes ... It is what the founding fathers wanted ...

Says a voice in Scalia's head during a dream ...... It sounded a bit like a cross between George Washington and his Aunt Millie ....


Funny thing is: I do NOT think the SCOTUS would ever buy off on this .... Not in a million years ...

[CanonRay]

105. The Constitution is "quaint". You know, like the Geneva Conventions

[woo me with science]

209. Gee, do ya think our Constitutional scholar President will weigh in on this?

:sarcasm:

[checks-n-balances]

219. If the Constitution is violated, the Supreme Court will uphold...oh, wait

[totodeinhere]

4. They are trying to insulate themselves from the people with this so-called "Super Congress"

so that it will be easier to royally screw us. I hope that this idea is a non starter. It's the last thing we need.

[DeSwiss]

7. Bingo. You win the Kewpie Doll....

[TrollBuster9090]

24. "I didn't cut Social Security...it was ANTON KREITZER!"

[MilesColtrane]

5. This is bullshit.

Stripping power from Congress as a whole and concentrating it in the hands of 12 people is not what was intended by the founders.


If anything, the number of the Representatives in the House should be expanded.

[DeSwiss]

12. They're trying to weave themselves....

...a "cloak of deniability." But, like the emperor's new clothes, everyone can see right through it.

- And it ain't pretty.....

[TrollBuster9090]

25. Most of the House had already surrendered their power to either Grover Norquist or ALEC.

Being elected to govern, and then turning your responsibilities over to a SMALLER group of elected officials so you can bugger off home and watch the legislative process on C-SPAN would be a step UP at this point.

[AlbertCat]

127. concentrating it in the hands of 12 people

Yes.... And no matter who the majority voted in, the party that LOST will still get equal representation. Because it's just so UNFAIR to lose an election. Even though your ideas are rejected by a majority of voters, you will still have equal power with those who actually won.


This is so fucking nuts... I give up. Congress and the Senate are completely useless.

I can't decide if America died when Reagan was elected or Bush Jr was selected.....

[Liberalynn]

146. It was Reagan

They all still quote him like he was the second coming. Even President Obama invokes his name.

[marasinghe]

231. have to agree with with you - while sitting on the sidelines, watching the circus & puking. n/t

[socialist_n_TN]

142. Yeah that's the BIGGEST problem with this

12 equally balanced Congressional reps drawn equally from both parties? Bullshit. Something like this would need proportional representation to even BEGIN to be representative of the people. Sounds like a Stalinist Central Committee to me.

I like your last sentence, except I'd add doing away with the Senate all together. Expand the House and do away with the Senate.

[Angry Dragon]

9. Treason

[Kablooie]

11. No. It's Teason.

[glinda]

199. Is it Treason?

[DeSwiss]

13. When the corruption of a government becomes this advanced......

...then treason goes without mention. It's a given.

[florida08]

57. profound quote

and frightening accurate. We absolutely are watching the usurping of this democracy.

[alsame]

124. +1

[FreeBillClinton]

14. Another example of the right's unwavering allegiance to the Constitution

when it's convenient

[keopeli]

15. Wiil they have to include a quote from the constitution at the beginning?

Will it be a quote about where this select congress is given power by the constitution to make these decisions alone?

Remember, this needs to pass THIS Congress to happen. Which, in essence, is the same as saying NEVER.

[mackdaddy]

59. " against all enemies, foreign and domestic."

"I solemnly swear to defend the Constitution of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic."

I think this one applies..

[davidwparker]

197. +1

It's getting to that point.

[Liberalynn]

162. Does the creation of the super committee itself have to pass the House

and the Senate first?

[NM Independent]

16. "Well, if we're going to rob them and take their rights, then we better take their power as well."

[Downwinder]

17. Super Congress for Super Citizens?

[checks-n-balances]

220. And exactly who will be chosen, and by whom??

Or has that already been explained?
A real President of the People would put a stop to this madness and invoke the 14th Amendment, Section 2: "Apportionment of Representatives" in addition to the section about debt

[Vinca]

19. Forgetting the part about government by and for the people,

the "gangs" they come up with are alway weighted to the conservative side. If this scheme amounts to anything, we're in real trouble.

[blkmusclmachine]

20. All pretense of "Democrarcy" are being dismantled:

Explicitly outside the Constitution, but apparently no one in DC has ever read the Constitution, incl. the perps in the WH.

[polichick]

36. Yes, they've at least been pretending since 2000 - not anymore.

[KansDem]

75. Repubs read it...once.

no one in DC has ever read the Constitution

Didn't the Repubs read the Constitution when they took the House in 2010?

WASHINGTON - And on the second day of Republican rule, the House read the Constitution.

Those wondering whether the reading would be dramatic found out on Thursday as volunteers gave voice to the seven articles and 27 amendments that make up the nation's governing document.

Republicans have made strict adherence to the Constitution a key tenet of their effort to reduce the size of the federal government. The House GOP will reportedly make it a requirement that all new bills put forth in the legislative body include "a statement by the lawmaker who wrote it citing the constitutional authority to enact the proposed legislation."

The Washington Post reported last week that reading the founding document in full appears to be a first in the chamber's 221-year history.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/06/house-republicans-constitution-reading_n_805167.html

The first time for such a reading in the Chambers' 221-year history...and no doubt the first time ever for many members, as well.

[mazzarro]

83. Well - correct me if I am wrong here

Did the Boehner term not start with a pledge to always read the constitution and have all legislations tied to the specific section of the constitution?

[Festivito]

21. Easier to buy-off fewer people, especially when those people have less to lose. /nt

[tomp]

39. neither the corporatists nor the politicians have any problem...

...with the going rates on bribery. this is nothing but streamlining what they already do.

[SemperEadem]

22. Absolutely not!

the constitution lays out how this is supposed to go down.

these thugs just need to get in there and start sacrificing their sacred cows and tell their paymasters to stfu.

[Edweird]

23. It's tbe 'catfood comission 2'. Remember, Obama created the first one by executive order

when congress refused. Here it is again. This is insane.

[TrollBuster9090]

27. No, this is the catfood commission with actual legislative power.

Remember when Obama extended the Patriot Act, but used the AUTOPEN to sign it, presumably to absolve himself of guilt? Well, this will be the Congressional version of the autopen.

[itsrobert]

26. Taxation without Representation

What the hell are they doing?

[muriel_volestrangler]

28. No filibustering? Just straight up or down?

Seems to be that both house and senate would have to agree to that first, and the senate would be able to filibuster that agreement. You'd be asking both chambers to alter the rules they set at the start of the session, if they can't make amendments. I don't see why they'd volunteer to give up power like that, even it it was constitutional.

[TatonkaJames]

29. Sort of like the "Supreme Court-Lite"

Imagine what these twelve members would do to social programs ?

[me b zola]

30. As we go further down the path

Just :wtf:

[Scottybeamer70]

31. Perhaps if they did what they were elected to do.......

as in, "represent the people", we wouldn't have to be talking about a "gang of six", or even worse, a "gang of twelve."
There seems to be no end to the insanity they can invent.

[dana_b]

165. "invent" is the key word there

I still believe a lot of this has been invented for show. They really don't give a damn about representing us but they do put on a good show. Come up with this b.s. "Super COngress" who will then bring it down to the wire saying "well - we had to make those spending cuts for the good of the nation and the people". Basically trying to appear as some sort of heroes who saved us from financial catastrophe. In the meantime, our lives get worse - slowly and steadily.

[Evasporque]

32. They want to form a Republican Central Committee...

these fuckers are drunk with power.

[socialist_n_TN]

145. I didn't see your post before I posted mine

But I used the same analogy.

[marasinghe]

232. you are so correct. they are now running the Bolshevik & Maoist playbook.

meanwhile, if anyone breathes a word of socialized health care, or welfare for the destitute, as in many western European states, frigging idiots are up in arms - like there's a communist plot to flush the USA down the tubes. at the same time, this same set of elected assholes, continues to frog-march the country to fascism.

[PuffedMica]

33. The Republicans have deliberately destroyed the budget process

The Republicans have deliberately destroyed the budget process and now they are advocating an additional layer of bureaucracy to 'fix' the problem they themselves have created.

It is the Republicans who serve their rich masters in the defense contractors and big business that keep corrupting the budget process to divert tax dollars to their friends. If the Congress would budget to simply meet the needs of the country, as described by the Constitution, we wouldn't have half the problems we are seeing now.

The Republicans just love to spend other people's money to advance interests of the wealthy even to the point of jeopardizing the security of the country as a whole.

[proud patriot]

141. excellent post

[rucky]

34. And this is Constitutional, how?

[Maineman]

37. If we are going to have a Constitutional crisis, Obama should just ignore

the debt limit and rely on the 14th amendment.

[dana_b]

164. didn't he say in one of his press conferences this week

that he asked his lawyers about doing that and they said he couldn't get away with it? I don't know why not but it sounds like a cop out to me.

[polichick]

35. Admitting they're irrelevant and can't do the job - the new Congress will probably...

...be made up of Republicans, including those with a "D" behind their name.

[GoCubsGo]

38. The stupid. It hurts.

And, what makes these imbeciles think that an evenly-sided "super Congress" wouldn't also be deadlocked on everything???

[Nay]

55. Because they will pick Dems that are actually pubs with a "D" behind their names. nt

[GoCubsGo]

115. Sad, but true. n/t

[kath]

130. Yep, and we've got plenty of those fuckers. Way, way too many.

[Maineman]

40. Now we know. If corporations, especially large corporations, are not effectively regulated

we get chaos, oligarchy, plutacracy, and a banana republic.

[Harriety]

41. This is garbage! Is this how to run a government? They are less than useless...

[Ikonoklast]

42. FUCK THAT NOISE.

Not only "No", but HELL NO.

[Misskittycat]

43. When I first read this at Huff Post, I thought it was an Onion piece.

Honestly, I thought it was a joke. Apparently, the joke is on us.

[Hubert Flottz]

44. The Big CON is ON!

The first guy that I can recall getting on TV and saying that America needed to rape Social Security and Medicare was the same bastard who's "EXPERT" ideas caused the economy to crash and burn to start with.

Can you guess who it was?

Here's a clue...He's married to Andrea Mitchell...here's another clue...nipsdeerG nalA

Remarks by Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan at the Abraham Lincoln Award Ceremony of the Union League of Philadelphia on the Future of Social Security
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
December 6, 1996

http://www.nationalcenter.org/gspan.htm

I wonder if Al cashes his Social Security check every month to buy his viagra?

[fredamae]

45. Hmm, if the "Nutter's" want this?

We had better be thinking Ahead about how this can be used Against "The American People"--"Super Congress" Almost has a feel of "final word" like our "wonderful" ( :sarcasm: ) SCOTUS.

[Arkana]

151. See, I don't think the nutjobs on the right are gonna like this any more

than we do.

[Jester Messiah]

46. This seems like fucking bullshit.

Obama should just abolish the debt ceiling by executive order via the 14th amendment. Done deal, screw you Boehner.

[rosesaylavee]

47. Fuck no.

Recall them. Now.

[DireStrike]

48. Was this the goal of the theatrical debt ceiling fight the entire time?

Everybody wants to raise the debt ceiling... I couldn't for the life of me see why they were making all this noise. Thought maybe the republicans were (as usual) using any opportunity to wheedle more concessions out of Obama.

But this... If this goes through, it'll be the overt beginning of the end for the US.

[peace frog]

67. Abso-damn-lutely

The End.

[myrna minx]

49. So which states receive the preferential treatment via representation?

This is ridiculous - just because the cast of characters are dysfunctional doesn't mean we scrap our system of government and way of life because a few loons got elected to a two year term in the house.

[alsame]

121. It won't be states, it will be the corporate industries - MIC, pharma,

Wall Street, etc. They will all be very well represented by the chosen 12. No doubt about it.

[GTurck]

50. An institution...

that can't govern or even communicate is going to expand its know-nothingness and that will solve the problem! INCREDIBLE.
Great quote by Shaw and so true in this context.

"A popular Government without popular information or the means of acquiring it, is a Prologue to a Farce or Tragedy." James Madison

[DFW]

62. What Madison never envisioned

The Founders never conceived of a large portion of Government not only lacking popular information,
but actually spurning the means of acquiring it. Farce and Tragedy indeed.

Peter Ustinov once did a spoof on diplomats in various situations. The French "No" vote was justified
by Ustinov's French diplomat thusly: "Since France was not consulted about the subject under discussion,
we now refuse to be told what that subject is."

Sounds like Cantor's teabagger faction in the House.

[GTurck]

223. High..

five many times over.

[LiberalEsto]

51. Here we go again

"On March 23, 1933, the Reichstag passed the Enabling Act, which gave dictatorial authority to Hitler's cabinet for four years. Armed with full powers, Hitler moved to eliminate all possible centers of opposition. His policy is known as Gleichschaltung, which translates literally as coordination. In this context, however, it meant more precisely subordination, that is, subordinating all independent institutions to the authority of Hitler and the Nazi Party."
© 2000 by David A. Meier

From: http://www2.dsu.nodak.edu/users/dmeier/Holocaust/hitler.html

Super-Cabinet, Super-Congress

I find this concept very scary

[indypaul]

106. Benj Franklin to Const Convention Sept 17, 1787

"In these sentiments. Sir, I agree to this Constitution with all its faults, if they are such;
because I think a General Government necessary for us, and there is no form of Government but
what may be a blessing to the people, if well administered, and believe farther that this is
likely to be well administered for a course of years, and can only end in Despotism, as other
forms have done before it, when people shall become so corrupted as to need despotic government,
being incapable of any other."

[Kaleko]

154. You're right. This move is eerily reminiscent of the Gleichschaltung Act.

Alarm bells should be ringing throughout the land!

[road2000]

168. Super-Human, Super-Race.

[glinda]

200. Yikes!

[nineteen50]

52. super cost

I wonder how much a super congressman will cost?

[ermasdaughter]

53. What is a nightmare.

These guys can't raise the Debt ceiling so now we need a "super congress". That's an outrageous leap that "WE THE PEOPLE" need to stop.
These people cannot be trusted with "super authority".

[IDemo]

56. Don't they first need to change or eliminate that pesky Rule XXll?

http://rule22.wordpress.com/what-is-rule-22/

Standing rules are the collection of procedures that govern the day-to-day operation of a legislative body. Rule 22—sometimes written Rule XXII—is best known as the procedure by which a coalition of senators can end debate on the Senate floor. Adopted in 1917, Rule 22 initially set the minimum requirement for ending debate at a 2/3rds vote of those “present and voting.” When debate is stopped in this manner it is known formally as enacting “cloture.” In 1975 the Senate modified the cloture requirement, lowering the number of senators needed to end debate to 3/5ths of those “duly chosen and sworn” (60 under normal conditions). Because enacting cloture is the only way to stop a filibuster, and because the minority party almost always has the 41 votes to sustain a filibuster in the Senate, Rule 22 is widely considered the most important standing rule in both the House and Senate.

[yurbud]

230. if Senate Dems had any interest in getting shit done, they would have changed that at start of last

session.

[reformist2]

58. Whenever a job is too difficult, outsource it!

[florida08]

60. great political toon

:dem:

[kenny blankenship]

63. Now THAT'S running Government like a Business!

OoohYeah - suck it, Voters. Drop your votes off in the "Suggestion Box" and go fuck yourselves.

[florida08]

68. +1000

[nineteen50]

128. higher prices

Except a business can raise prices when cost escalate,
apparently our government can't ask a republican who wants
government to be run like a business and not raise taxes.

[cantbeserious]

64. We Have Just Crossed The Rubicon Toward Fascism

eom

[TwentyFive]

65. Watch. It will be 5 Rabid Conservatives, 2 Blue Dogs, 3 DLC & 2 GOP. Quorum of 8 needed.

The quorum of 8 will mean nothing gets done unless the rabid conservatives are happy.

[peace frog]

70. You said it.

It was a nice run but TTFN, US Congress.

[lunatica]

66. They stay up nights trying to figure new ways of screwing we the people

[plumbob]

69. 12? As in 12 apostles? Really?

Just a coincidental number, right? No extreme religious overtones, right?

Twelve is a perfect number, signifying perfection of government, or of governmental perfection. It is found as a multiple in all that has to do with rule. The sun which "rules" the day, and the moon and stars which "govern" the night, do so by their passage through the twelve signs of the Zodiac which completes the great circle of the heavens of 360 (12 x 30) degrees or divisions, and thus govern the year.
Twelve is the product of 3 (the perfectly Divine and heavenly number) and 4 (the earthly, the number of what is material and organic).

While seven is composed of 3 added to 4, twelve is 3 multiplied by 4, and hence denotes that which can scarcely be explained in words, but which the spiritual perception can at once appreciate, viz., organization, the products denoting production and multiplication and increase of all that is contained in the two numbers separately. The 4 is generally prominently seen in the twelve.

THERE WERE Twelve PATRIARCHS

Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_significance_does_the_number_12_have_in_the_Bible#ixzz1T21hj6PL


Lots more at link.

[ooglymoogly]

84. They will say of us long in the future, if such exists, "like the Third Reich"

We the people voted for this horror; red states and the lunatics that steal them be damned.

[nineteen50]

177. No

More like "Animal Farm"

[blkmusclmachine]

87. Might explain why "The Oak Initiative" was invited to the WH for Easter Prayer

The Oak Initiative = Church-State Rule. Democracy is OUT.

[JJW]

72. Really sad thing is.....

If Obama had done nothing, Bush tax cuts would have expired. And then Mr. O wouldn't have an excuse to cut SS, Medicare and Medicaid.

[Yon_Yonson]

73. What another shitty idea from Washington?

... yes lets create another government agency and we can name it ‘CONGRESSIONAL UP YOUR ASS DEPARTMENT’?

[harun]

74. Holy Shit why even bother with elections anymore, just let the Corporations own us.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

76. AWFUL idea!!!!

Why can't the original Congress we all elected just do it's $#%*#&$*# job???? :banghead: We don't need a "less accountable" panel to make the "tough" choices. :puke:

[UpInArms]

77. how about - NOT!

not Constitutional - not allowable -

do your jobs and quit letting anti-government groups - GROVER NORQUIST - run our country.

[neoralme]

102. In America of the past, Grover Norquist would be in jail, or

he would be six feet under.

[blackspade]

78. Will this crap never stop?!

The creation of this "Super Congress" is a direct assault on the American People and our Constitution.
It creates a privy council that is designed to undercut democracy even further to the benifit of the rich and connected.
There is nothing 'super' about it.

[ooglymoogly]

79. Oh joy...6 certifiable loon pugs and 6 round the bend bluedogs.

Just what the plutocrats ordered....and another treasonous whiffle ball hit clean out of the park of reason.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

80. WTF?!? Good-bye to The Great American Experiment.....America will be no more.

[SaveAmerica]

82. 1) They're in the business of destroying our constitution 2) Your toon is PERFECT!

[mulsh]

86. More effective than a "Blue Ribbon Committe" with super

awesome powers to clear the log jam and employ other useful cliches in avoiding dealing with the issue. Since its not specifically prohibited by the constitution it must be o.k., right?

What a dynamic and decisive pair of thoughtful individualsI see why their constituents vote for these two "leaders".

[EC]

88. So now Congress has become so stupid we need

a version of the electoral college in Congress? This is so all those tp's can't keep adding stupid "no Sharia law, no abortions" type amendments to every bill that comes down the line in Congress...maybe this is the only way they'll get any work done. Yes or no votes only...

[Overseas]

89. Disgusting. And who would the Republicans be when Dems take the majority again?

Our President who valued compromise over everything else had to grovel just to get Olympia Snowe on board, even when the public option would have saved our country lots of money.

Where were the fiscally responsible Republicans who would insist on Medicare for All because of the 3% overhead for Medicare vs. 20%+ for private insurance?

[ixion]

90. Isn't it funny how these "strict constructionalists" like to make up crap?

There is no such thing as a "Super Congress" described in the Constitution, just like there is no "Shadow Government" This type of authoritarian crap must stop. Period.

[neoralme]

91. This cements Fascism. Although this has been in formulation for

years, the Obama presidency gave the operatives just the person they needed for a speedy implementation. His working for the Corporatists willingly--at times enthusiastically--with just enough permitted good deeds to allow their agenda to go forward unsuspected, Obama has now arrived at the point where he is willingly allowing the greatest gifts to America by the Democratic Party to be destroyed. In doing so, he will diminish, maybe destroy, the Party; destroy the Republicans; end his presidency; and further head America itself into total redundancy--a shell of a power with nukes. It will continue fighting other continues while a revolution begins in earnest domestically until nothing is left. If we don't hit the streets now to save ourselves and our families, we don't even deserve a country.

[Historic NY]

92. I thought we needed less government.????????????

[russspeakeasy]

126. We did, but then somebody figured out they would have to get a job

and FUCK THAT !! :nuke:

[JJW]

93. And of course these 12 would be able to take bribes

Ugh, I mean unlimited free speech money from corporations or are they call person hoods.

[24601]

94. We already have a "Super Congress" in place that not only

overrides the "constitutional" (or real) Congress, but the Executive Branch and States as well.

It's known as the United States Supreme Court. They have invalidated laws passed by the real Congress & signed by the President. They have implemented "laws" never passed by the real Congress and have overturned Presidential Executive Orders. Thay have reached down into the states, doing the same things at that level.

[RamboLiberal]

95. cutting mortgage deductions and tax credit on retirement savings

So working stiffs get screwed again! I would think these 2 are popular even with tea partiers. Fuck this super congress idea!

[Rockholm]

123. They are totally screwing the middle class, yet again.

[blkmusclmachine]

96. Time to get active. Our Country demands it. Now more than ever. Fight now or lose it forever.

:patriot:

[CanonRay]

99. And this is constitutional how, exactly?

Remember your oath boys, preserve, protect and defend the constitution? Doesn't say anything about banks in there.

[raouldukelives]

100. I feel like i'm taking crazy pills

Talk about outrage overload. Everyday I wake up to an even more absurd idea to destroy America.

[ebbie15644]

101. we need

to let all of them know we will THEM ALL responsible, president included!!

[Marthe48]

104. Put it on the ballot state by state

just like any other proposed change to the way things are laid out in the Constitution. See what the people have to say. I have an idea, if the morons who came up with this idea don't like the U.S., then leave. Maybe they can find a little piece of banana republic to run into the ground.

[The Big Vetolski]

107. So now we get the Wall Street House of Lords to decree that the

banks and speculators get to loot Social Security and Medicare. And it MUST be done by 4pm EDT today when the Asian markets open, according to Geitner, or there will be CATASTROPHE!

Sounds familiar, doesn't it? TARP, anyone, anyone? Buehler, Buehler?

[caseymoz]

108. Oh? Why don't we downsize the other 526?

Or maybe outsource them to Indonesia? How many things are wrong with this? Other than the mere detail that it shreds the constitution?

First, why should anyone think concentrating more power into few people is going to solve anything? It has worked so well for our economy. Now they're proposing to ratify it politically. So, Congressmen from hi-pop states like Wyoming, Vermont and South Dakota are going to be making life & death decisions for the other 99.9 percent of the population. I'd think I'd prefer it outsourced to Indonesia.

The people should not only say no to this, they should spontaneously march on Washington if it's agreed upon.

Getting back to the immediate point, in what other job can you tell the boss that we can't do our job? That we think you should have 1/50th of the people doing it, and then still keep your title and get paid? Congress is handing their boss the pink slip and asking us to sign. I suggest we do it-- next election.

[avaistheone1]

111. LOL sure if they are not going to do their jobs. Why not?

k&r

[truedelphi]

185. Thursday, October Sixth. Washington DC.

be there, or otherwise, help organize to help others be there.

It is time to take a stand.

[Marthe48]

109. "All animals are equal...

but some animals are more equal than others" Animal Farm. George Orwell.
Maybe the dung heaps in Congress who read the book thought it was a good idea, not a cautionary tale?

[Mz Pip]

110. They are not even pretending

to be serious anymore. The proposals are getting even more outlandish.

It's really sad that it has come to this. I've never agreed with with Republican policies for the most part but I do remember a time when they were this nuts.

Why all the focus on entitlements when the military industrial complex is spending like there's no tomorrow?

[Samantha]

112. No way

Do they think we are morons? Never mind, don't answer that.

Sam

[AngryOldDem]

113. A blatant end run around the Constitution.

This is scary as shit.

Never thought I'd see the day.

[dogmoma56]

116. now we have Legislative TZAR'S.. . or are they going to be Dicktatters.???

[abelenkpe]

117. Openly attempting to go against the will of the people

Not even pretending to represent.

[lunasun]

118. concentration of power =fascism moving faster than I thought it would here

[alsame]

119. And if there are 6-6 tie votes? I guess the 5-4 SCOTUS decides? nt

[TalkingDog]

120. BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO FUCKING BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO BOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

Treasonous fucking useless un-Constitutional BASTARDS!

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! Go away and DIAF!!!

[buddysmellgood]

122. I really am dismayed the at the desire of republicans to fuck over working Americans.

[BattyDem]

125. So unless you're "lucky" enough ...

to have one of the 12 legislators be from your state (and/or your Congressional district), you don't get any representation in Congress. Your Congressperson and/or your Senator will only get to say "yes" or "no" to a deal that was made by 12 people. They can't add amendments, they can't offer their own plan, they simply get an up or down vote.


BULLSHIT!!!!!!!!!! :grr: :grr: :grr:

[Twostones]

129. This is pure fascism!

[lastone]

131. It is far beyond time -

for a mother fucking revolution.

[kath]

133. Wow. This is some really scary shit.

:scared: :scared: :scared:

[dbonds]

134. How about just abolishing the debt ceiling altogether...

Debt Ceiling wasn't in constitution. It was added for WW1 debt. Just get rid of it.

[kestrel91316]

135. I always knew there was something I didn't like about Harry Reid.

He just proved me right.

UNCONSTITUTIONAL ON ITS FACE.

[Jim_Shorts]

136. Mitch McConnell : "elections haven't worked"

Time for a cat food commission with power, a small group of extremists who can impose their will on the public. Why not, the country is FUBAR anyway.

[Ka hrnt]

137. NO.

NO ****ING WAY. What we need is a viable third (or fourth) party to break the deadlock. This is just a power play to maintain the status quo of this nonfunctional "two" (more like one nowadays...) party system we've devolved into.

[Beartracks]

138. Sounds like a stupid, dangerous, idea. n/t

[madrchsod]

139. well that`s fucking insane...

[IDemo]

140. MSNBC, NYT, WaPo, CNN, ABC News - not a word on this

Just not considered important enough, or what?

[DeSwiss]

194. ....

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=4933385&mesg_id=4933911

[felix_numinous]

143. President Clinton found a way to balance the budget,

although without the war machine it must have been easier. I probably am too ignorant to understand WHY his policies were not put into effect when the Dems took over. They worked.

http://www.factcheck.org/2008/02/the-budget-and-deficit-under-clinton/

[dogmoma56]

148. didn't he just put a small tax on non-value added speculation in the stock market

[Liberalynn]

144. This is ffiing shit

[blkmusclmachine]

147. GWB said: "Everyday, terr'ists think of ways to destroy this Country. And so do we."

'Nuff said.

[dana_b]

167. maybe he wasn't stupid - just more honest

than many we hear from today.

[proud patriot]

149. I've got a pocketful of Kryptonite

anyone want some? Who's organizing ? where do I go to protest this. I've got a month off someone fly me to DC .
This is NOT okay !

[Arkana]

150. This is a horrible idea and anyone who agrees to it

(yes, including the President) is a fool.

There will even be Republicans who don't like it, especially when someone gets shut out who wants in.

[Kennah]

152. Once we have a Super Congress, can an Über Congress be far behind?

[NCcoast]

153. This seems like a very bad sign to me

Here we are, in the final quarter of the eleventh hour, and they toss out this ridiculous, unconstitutional nonsense. I think we're going over this cliff. And Reid is a party to this desperate hail Mary play. This is not good. These guys are lost.

We had our toes over the cliff in September of 2008 and we managed not to go over. Did we learn anything? Did we correct the system? No. Clearly a major catastrophe is going to have to occur before we can rebuild this completely corrupt system.

I'm going to go plant a batch of potatoes. Good luck everyone.

[Politicub]

155. I don't understand why it would be 50/50 dems and republicans and not proportional

What if a third party came along? Highly unlikely, I know.

The idea of a super congress is terrifying.

[suffragette]

157. Excellent point. Clearly not representational of what people elected.

[IDemo]

156. Calling BS on this until I see it from a better source

Besides HuffPo, I'm only seeing this repeated at NewsMax, Hannity and other highly questionable places.

[DeSwiss]

161. How do you feel about the New York Times???

- They refer to it as a "legislative commission" but both appear to be equally unconstitutional to me......

The speaker, who abruptly broke off budget talks with Mr. Obama on Friday evening, said that he hoped the plan could be finished within 24 hours and indicated on the conference call with House members that the savings would most likely be achieved in two stages. As described by knowledgeable Congressional aides, the agreement under discussion would enact a first round of cuts of just under $1 trillion, an amount they said was sufficient to clear the way for a debt limit increase through 2011. A second increase would follow after a newly created legislative commission considered a broader range of spending cuts, program overhauls and potential revenue increases.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/24/us/politics/24debt.html">link

[alp227]

158. Hold an emergency Supreme Court session to overturn this BS! n/t

[Liberalynn]

159. They won't

The Pukes already have that packed in their favor.

[dana_b]

166. you mean the predominantly Wal Mart controlled SC?

That SC? Surely you jest!

[peace frog]

181. Stunning naivete

What in the world makes you think the SC would overturn this so-called Super Congress? Seriously.

[loudsue]

160. We need to start impeachment proceedings against the traitors who are proposing this.

This is facism at its most insidious. This goes too fucking far.

I'm sick of it. This is a line in the sand. Fuck the whole lot of them. We are finding out that we haven't really elected any of them anyway. We need to run the criminals out of washington, and start over. Fuck elections.... they already have.

[defendandprotect]

163. In every way, Congress is being made null and void -- from the FED making

decisions governing our economy -- our employment goals -- money supply --

stimulus -- interest rates -- all things that should be decided by our Congress --

those we elect and whom we can unelect!!

Panes, commissions -- back room deals -- they're all BS --

just like the filibuster which never happens -- only threatens to happen!!


This is fascism -- corporate fascism -- as good as that they got going during the Hitler

years -- and recall how far he got!!

This is an effort to take down every nation at the same time -- leaving no one standing to

save anyone else --

Who the hell has control over our MIC if not corporations?

And, corporations go no where without the protection of our MIC and CIA/intgelligence.

When corporations control our presidents, so does the MIC/CIA --

[truedelphi]

179. Who are you? Ron Paul?

Bernie Sanders?

How can you possibly point the finger at the Federal Reserve?

Why if anything was amiss in this situation, Obama's key money man, Tim Geithner, who works in an office down the hall from the Oval Office, would certainly bring it to our President's attention.

Wouldn't he?


<sarcasm meant>

[defendandprotect]

186. Just saw Yahoo -- Geithner is assuring us the "debt deal" will go thru ... !!!

:hi:

[orbitalman]

170. K & R

[Plucketeer]

171. Yet another..........

facet of a smaller, more nimble government. Gotta be a Rethug concept. :puke:

[fascisthunter]

172. Anyone STill Think Fascism hasn't Taken over the US Government?

No? Well then, you are naive and too compromised to see it.

[Heywood J]

173. Fuck Harry Reid and fuck Mitch McConnell.

What's involved in getting a new Senate majority leader?

[thereismore]

174. 6 from each party ignores elections. Democracy is so 1900's. nt

[Twostones]

175. Characteristics Of Fascism

1. Powerful and Continuing Nationalism - Fascist regimes tend to make constant use of patriotic mottos, slogans, symbols, songs, and other paraphernalia. Flags are seen everywhere, as are flag symbols on clothing and in public displays.

2. Disdain for the Recognition of Human Rights - Because of fear of enemies and the need for security, the people in fascist regimes are persuaded that human rights can be ignored in certain cases because of "need." The people tend to look the other way or even approve of torture, summary executions, assassinations, long incarcerations of prisoners, etc.

3. Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause - The people are rallied into a unifying patriotic frenzy over the need to eliminate a perceived common threat or foe: racial , ethnic or religious minorities; liberals; communists; socialists, terrorists, etc.

4. Supremacy of the Military - Even when there are widespread
domestic problems, the military is given a disproportionate amount of government funding, and the domestic agenda is neglected. Soldiers and military service are glamorized.

5. Rampant Sexism - The governments of fascist nations tend to be almost exclusively male-dominated. Under fascist regimes, traditional gender roles are made more rigid. Divorce, abortion and homosexuality are suppressed and the state is represented as the ultimate guardian of the family institution.

6. Controlled Mass Media - Sometimes to media is directly controlled by the government, but in other cases, the media is indirectly controlled by government regulation, or sympathetic media spokespeople and executives. Censorship, especially in war time, is very common.

7. Obsession with National Security - Fear is used as a motivational tool by the government over the masses.

8. Religion and Government are Intertwined - Governments in fascist nations tend to use the most common religion in the nation as a tool to manipulate public opinion. Religious rhetoric and terminology is common from government leaders, even when the major tenets of the religion are diametrically opposed to the government's policies or actions.

9. Corporate Power is Protected - The industrial and business aristocracy of a fascist nation often are the ones who put the government leaders into power, creating a mutually beneficial business/government relationship and power elite.

10. Labor Power is Suppressed - Because the organizing power of labor is the only real threat to a fascist government, labor unions are either eliminated entirely, or are severely suppressed.

11. Disdain for Intellectuals and the Arts - Fascist nations tend to promote and tolerate open hostility to higher education, and academia. It is not uncommon for professors and other academics to be censored or even arrested. Free expression in the arts and letters is openly attacked.

12. Obsession with Crime and Punishment - Under fascist regimes, the police are given almost limitless power to enforce laws. The people are often willing to overlook police abuses and even forego civil liberties in the name of patriotism. There is often a national police force with virtually unlimited power in fascist nations.

13. Rampant Cronyism and Corruption - Fascist regimes almost always are governed by groups of friends and associates who appoint each other to government positions and use governmental power and authority to protect their friends from accountability. It is not uncommon in fascist regimes for national resources and even treasures to be appropriated or even outright stolen by government leaders.

14. Fraudulent Elections - Sometimes elections in fascist nations are a complete sham. Other times elections are manipulated by smear campaigns against or even assassination of opposition candidates, use of legislation to control voting numbers or political district boundaries, and manipulation of the media. Fascist nations also typically use their judiciaries to manipulate or control elections.

[DeSwiss]

189. Excellent synopsis. n/t

[glinda]

201. I think this needs it own post please.

[999998th word]

218. They don't even bother to hide it .

[craigmatic]

176. These stupid bastards should just raise the ceiling and get it over with already.

We don't need another committe with unlimited power or a bill that gives the president unlimited authority to do this on his own. We need for this congress to just vote on a one sentence bill that raises the debit limit.

[customerserviceguy]

178. They'll never get this past the tea party

And I hope our side realizes how unconstitutional it is, too.

[soryang]

180. Sounds like the Politboro

...useless eaters turns over your potatoes and pigs or be shot! Where is the new Beria?

[BlueJac]

182. Fuck the gangbangers of traitors........

Gang is a good name for a bunch of illegal acting law breakers.

[harun]

183. I don't think the rest of Congress would go along with this.

[southernyankeebelle]

184. So folks sounds like the working poor and middle class are getting screwed. Welcome to facism.

[girl gone mad]

187. k & r

[Dark]

188. Great. So lobbyists only have to buy 12 congresscritters...

I suppose that is a reduction in spending...

[SleeplessinSoCal]

190. If only there was a Constitutional scholar around. Wait. There is. Speak up Obama!

[virginian8v]

191. Quash the "Super Congress"

There's a petition to quash the "Super Congress" plan. If you oppose this plan, please sign and share: http://www.change.org/petitions/tell-congress-and-the-president-to-reject-the-idea-of-a-soviet-style-super-congress-now

[Odin2005]

192. I am fucking speechless!

:grr:

[Name removed]

193. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[lib2DaBone]

195. the public's unwillingness to let go of benefits such as Medicare and Social Security

"The public's unwillingness to let go of benefits such as Medicare and Social Security that have been earned over a lifetime of work: Create a new Congress."

WTF? What planet do these MF-ers live on? Hey Paul Ryan and Eric Cantor... I got your "Unwilligness" right here...

Cut all pay (right now) to CONgress. Cut all free haircuts, cut free limos and free health club memberships. Cut free healthcare and free retirement after only one term. See how they like it....

These people are OOC (Out of Control)



:mad:

[Brigid]

196. Somebody please tell me this is from "The Onion."

Even though it isn't. :scared:

We need a new smilie depicting an ostrich with its head in the sand. I can't take any more.

[workinclasszero]

198. Republicans drop the BS..You are fascists!

The bastards hate everyone except the rich and big business/wall street gangsters!

This is nothing but a right wing coup attempt by anti-democratic, anti-American republicans!

This country is going to hell so damn fast I cant believe it!

The radical right tea baggers are determined to destroy American and institute some sort of fanatical mammon worshiping religion with Ayn Rand as their prophet.

God forbid if a wild eyed loon like Bachmann or Palin ever gets in the white house cause it will be the death of freedom for millions of Americans and the end of this country for sure.

They will destroy everything good in this country in a heartbeat and claim God is on their side, any who oppose their fascist nightmare will be of the devil!

These republicans bastards are the spiritual children of OBL! They have done so much damage to this country! Way more than and other terror group and that's a fact!

[democrank]

203. Good grief

[jmowreader]

204. There is a MUCH simpler way to solve the impasse...

without violating the Constitution or anything. Simply get rid of the "60 votes required to pass legislation out of the Senate" roadblock the Republicans created in 2009 as a way to stymie the Democratic president's program.

[and-justice-for-all]

205. How about just taxing the rich and corporations

and ending oil subsidies and leaving social servies the fuck alone. It would also be helpful if they go tthe hell out of the middle east.

[mcollier]

206. Close to the edge now....

[Telly Savalas]

207. SuperCongress could meet in the Hall of Justice with BatCongress and AquaCongress

Sounds like a great idea.

[unkachuck]

208. "This 'Super Congress,' composed of members of both chambers..."

....the sleazy, cowardly, money-grubbing corporate fascists are once again perverting our Constitution and democracy (what's left of it)....because they can't tolerate the inconvenience of elections and the will of the people, our system now needs to be further gamed for their benefit....

....I would like to suggest the creation of a 'Super Voter'....if you're prepared to vote Liberal or Progressive you should be credited with fifteen votes instead of the usual one....'one man one vote' is old-fashioned and inconvenient, 'one Progressive fifteen votes' provides for a much better system....

[OwnedByFerrets]

211. Fuck this shit

[Johnny Harpo]

212. Super Congress?...Or An Indication That...

the House 'leadership' on both sides of the aisle.

No longer has control of its members, especially those on the 'fringe'.

While I understand that the House controls the money, I would think that the Senate would be more forcefully vocal regarding the debt ceiling issue.

Unless they also have little control over their members.

I completely agree with Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin's words for House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio): “If you break it, you own it.”

[tavalon]

213. Okay, I know I'm not supposed to say this but

these people are fucking retards.

[ThoughtCriminal]

214. Geez, instead of a new body, just cut the middle man

and let a secret rotating committee of billionaires make all the decisions? Or is that how it's already done?

[KamaAina]

215. Brings up bad memories of California's "Big Five"

the Governator plus the two leaders from each party in each chamber.

See how well that worked out for us. Sure! Let's take it nationwide!! :sarcasm:

[RainDog]

216. It's time to clean out the House and Senate

and lots of people in appointed positions and voting machine tech - because, frankly, we no longer have a govt that represents us anyway. who wants to destroy the elder to make the rich happy? No one that I know. The only people who benefit from this are the rich fucks and the politicians who do their dirty work - on both sides of the aisle and at all levels and branches of the govt.

enough of this shit.

is it going to take a general strike to make someone pay attention to what the majority of this population wants?!?!?!

[earcandle]

217. No way, Jose.

[No Elephants]

222. Constitution, anyone? Anyone? Anyone?

[SpartanDem]

224. I sure not whether to find the hyperventilating about this funny or sad

it's not unconstitutional these types of committees have been before anyone remember BRAC? I'm not saying it's good idea, it's a very bad one, but that's it all the post about fascism and this signaling downfall of America, etc. I think it's a worse sign that so many don't how our government works.

[yurbud]

226. ''six from each chamber and six from each party''--so elections won't change it?

This seems like a way to institutionalize Republican power even as their power at the polls is set to decline in the long term because their base is racist older whites, a rapidly shrinking minority.

[yurbud]

227. your sig line picture would make good legislation: every time there's a presidential speech

or debate in congress about military action, that warning would appear on screen or better yet, on half the screen show dead and injured troops and civilians.

[TBF]

229. Bumping this up - they ain't hiding it anymore. Now what? nt