A good point from ThinkProgress on the Reid Plan and compromise:

[EFerrari]

The Reid plan already embraces a right-wing ideology (spending cuts only) that 3/4 of Americans reject. Why is more "compromise" needed?

http://twitter.com/#!/thinkprogress/status/97112514768277504

[gateley]

1. You're right - good point. He also took "revenue" off the

table for the time being, and threw in some more cuts. The ONLY reason I'm for this is because (as of now, anyway), no "adjustments" to the Big Three.

I'm thinking - do this now and protect SS/Med (for the time being anyway) then duke it out later over the tax cuts, etc. It's not as though this will be the end of the warring.

[EFerrari]

2. Do we know the details of the Reid plan?

[gateley]

11. Earlier they were showing what was included compared to Boehner's.

I since heard he "added" more cuts, but I don't know what those are.

Actually, what they showed on TV didn't give the details, just the dollar amounts of cuts, etc.

[leveymg]

3. Because "hope and change" is now #[e-mail]

Compromise for its own sake. Because Compromise is all they know or ever wanted.

[napi21]

4. Compromise to get the AH to stop the filabuster! That's why.

Reid is supposed to be working on getting some Pubs to support his plan to get to 6- votes so he doesn't need to compromise anymore.

[leveymg]

5. Do you really want the Senate Compromise measure to pass?

Have you actually read it? Just in case, here's the original version off Baucus' website: http://baucus.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=601

What Does the Long-Term Senate Compromise Do?

The long-term solution, unveiled in the Senate yesterday includes $2.7 trillion agreed upon cuts, and allows the U.S. to continue to meet its obligations through 2012. The Senate compromise keeps the promise to seniors and military retires, and does not cut Medicare or Social Security or raise taxes.

* $1.2 Trillion in Discretionary Spending Cuts. The $1.2 trillion in discretionary spending cuts include both defense and non-defense spending. It does not cut Medicare or Social Security.
* $100 Billion in Mandatory Savings. Again these savings keep the promise to seniors and military retirees and do not cut Medicare and Social Security benefits. Savings include:
o $40 billion in cutting out fraud, waste and abuse in programs like unemployment insurance.
o $15 Billion In Spectrum Sales. This provision would save money by allowing the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to auction portions of the radio spectrum.
o $11 Billion In Agricultural Reforms. Baucus fought hard to ensure the ag cuts in this proposal were less than the $48 billion in Farm Bill cuts proposed in the House.
o Higher Education Program Reforms Whose Savings Go To Sustain The Pell Grant Program. The proposal fills a shortfall in the Pell program for fiscal years 2012 and 2013, to maintain the current maximum Pell level of $5,550.
* $1 Trillion in Savings From Winding Down the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to focus on fighting terrorism and strengthening America, not nation building overseas.
* $400 Billion in Interest Savings. By cutting spending, this package reduces the U.S. deficits, and reducing our deficits reduces the interest the federal government must pay on our debt each year.
* Establishes Joint Congressional Committee to Find Future Savings. In addition to $2.7 trillion in concrete savings, the Senate package will establish a joint, bipartisan committee, made up of 12 members, to present options for future deficit reduction. The committee's recommendations will be guaranteed an up-or-down Senate vote, without amendments, by the end of 2011.

Contact: Kate Downen 406-224-5056/Jenny Donohue 202-224-4515/Kathy Weber 406-657-5915

# # #

For more information on Health Care Reform visit: http://finance.senate.gov


montana seal

[napi21]

7. Short answer,,,YES. I think we should all be aware of how jittery the stock market is.

They freak out if they hear a report that some leader has a cold! Before you start badgering me about why I care about WS, thinkk first! Do you have a 401K? Do you have a pension plan? I'm retired, but I still have funds in mutual funds with the proceeds from my 401K's I had when I worked and I watch how this craziness has affected their value. So yes I care about what happens in the stock market.

nobody really knows what will happen if nothing is done to raise the debt ceiling, but IMO, it sure won't be anything good!

If it takes the Reid plan to get this damn mess resolved, then yes I want it to pass.

[leveymg]

8. Do you really think this "gets this damn mess resolved," you need to take another look

at the Compromise measure.

Note the part about:

* Establishes Joint Congressional Committee to Find Future Savings. In addition to $2.7 trillion in concrete savings, the Senate package will establish a joint, bipartisan committee, made up of 12 members, to present options for future deficit reduction. The committee's recommendations will be guaranteed an up-or-down Senate vote, without amendments, by the end of 2011.

Next up, SS and Medicare, the death by a thousand cuts. SuperCongress. Coming, by the end of 2011.

[napi21]

9. I don't see it that way and I also don't see any guarantee the Senate will

do an up or down vote for sure. I know the plan SAYS guaranteed up or down vote but when was the last time you saw something like THAT ignored? things like that happen damn near every day! I also don't see a real problem with a 12 member committee. Look at the committee Obama appointed to work out a bipartisan solution to the deficit. NONE of their recommendations were adopted! Even THEY couldn't come to a unanamous decision.

[leveymg]

10. People also said the Catfood Commission was dead, too. Then, Obama revived it.

Catfood II will come to pass. They'll find a way - cuts to SS/Med are on the agenda.

He has had this agenda of a Grand Compromise of "outmoded" Democratic social programs and "tired ideologies" since at least 2006. He's well along the line to fulfilling that mission. See, http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=433&topic_id=725554&mesg_id=725625

Rejoice.

[senseandsensibility]

6. It's not.

But someone needs to say that. Even now, it's not too late.

[Jakes Progress]

12. Watch how the administration will crow "Victory"

at cutting services and hurting people. The Reid bill is a bendover to republican wishes. Cutting what? We know what will get cut. It won't be anything the rich give up.

But the administration has played this so that it is a Us vs. Them game so that we will cheer cuts in spending right when people need aid the most. What's on the block? Schools? Infrastucture? Science? Of course the Arts? Research?

We are being beat up and told we are winning. The neocons are laughing their asses off at the stupid Democrats happy to give them our birthright.

[EFerrari]

13. We will be "saved" from default, not screwed over.

It will be historic!

[Jakes Progress]

15. And people wonder why

Democrats lose. Short memories. Gullible souls. It is not enough that we have enemies, our own eat us for lunch and stick us with the tab.

[vroomvroom]

14. No 14th Amendment because CLEARLY Ds + Rs NEED to hurt Middle-Class

America. And clearly both parties are in on it.

This Reid plan just gives repubs everythign they want with nothing in return. Just to get a debut ceiling increase? That is clearly bullshit.

Sounds to me Democrats very much want to put the burden more on middle america and all this is drama. Expect the Reid plan to pass and signed.