Colloquy for crisis (or how Gregg(R)-Conrad(DINO) are selling out Democracy)

[Mass]

Thanks to digby for this post. I saw Conrad and Gregg engaging their little colloquy, and was wondering why nobody seemed to care about what was going on.

Colloquy For Crisis

by digby


...

Today, Senators Gregg and Conrad had a colloquy on the floor of the Senate arguing for the Pete Peterson Foundation's pet project, the Bipartisan Committee To Destroy Social Security and Medicare So Wealthy People Don't Ever Have To Pay Higher Taxes (aka "Our Favorite Idea That's Been Lying Around".) And quite an exchange of scary rhetoric it was.

The timing of this is being driven by events, to be sure. But the events that drive it aren't the debt projections, which are highly reflective of a moribund economy and will thus change dramatically if the government enacts policies that expand growth and lead to full employment. No, what's driving this initiative is the mass confusion around the bad economy and the financial system catastrophe, which provides the perfect moment to push a little "economic shock therapy" on the American people.

...(Quotes of what Gregg and Conrad said)


Fortunately, one brave patriot stepped up to defend the democratic process:

Max Baucus, December 10, 2009

If Congress is going to outsource its core fiscal responsibilities, why stop with just those responsibilities? ... Why not cede to this commission all the legislation in the next Congress? Why don’t we outsource the entire year’s work and then adjourn for the year? ... It is clear from their press release that Senators Conrad and Gregg have painted a big red target on Social Security and Medicare. That’s what this commission is all about. It’s a big roll of the dice for Social Security and Medicare ... I can see that a commission may be attractive to some. It is an easy way out."

...

As for the substance of the argument for the commission, let's hope this letter signed by 30 groups is being circulated (and comprehended) by members of congress:
<...[br />]As Naomi Klein pointed out in this interview:

There’s one other thing I’ve learned from my study of states of shock: shock wears off. It is, by definition, a temporary state. And the best way to stay oriented, to resist shock, is to know what is happening to you and why.

The Fiscal Scolds are taking advantage of this moment to push something that they believe people will accept in their state of shock and insecurity. But they will wake up. And if this commission succeeds they will find that they have been cast adrift in a fast changing world --- and they will look for people to blame. It is unwise on the politics as well as the policy.

It's unfortunate that we have to rely on the egos of Senate princes protecting their fiefdoms to prevent this, but if that's what it takes ...

[karynnj]

1. It is really outrageous when Senator Baucus is speaking like that

( Completely OT - It is incidentally his birthday today- as well as the birthday of another Finance committee member, JOHN KERRY.)

Conrad was awful on the healthcare bill in the Finance committee.

[Mass]

2. For once, Baucus is right (in what he said, at least)

I suspect that it is because Conrad/Gregg's initiative would take from him quite a few responsibilities, but what is outrageous is when Conrad/Gregg speak like that and nobody even bothers answering.

Whatever Baucus's motivations, he was right in what he was saying. This commission is a bad idea.

This said, I am getting very disabused by the Democrats. The pharma amendment (voted unanimously in 2007 by Democrats) is now opposed by quite a few Democrats who voted for it 2 years ago (including Senators from DE and NJ. Not sure where mine fell on this, but this is another example of political plays against what people need)

[OHdem10]

3. We have had "Commissions". Every commission always comes

up with the Solution being--PRIVATIZATION.

This is the easy way out for Democrats on the Hill. We privatized
because the Commission made me do it.

Sometimes I get disgusted. Democrats always use the excuse--
We cannot do this -- we cannot do that--because of the bad
Republicans.

I say they might be amazed at what they could do if they stood
up and showed some gumption. Oh I forgot they are really
Moderate Republicans for the most part.

"The Commission made me do it" is as good excuse as any, I guess.