Gang of Six to the Rescue?

The Gang of Six that formed earlier this year to propose an alternative to the deficit reduction proposals already on the table announced today that they've reached agreement on a major plan to cut the deficit by more than $4 trillion, $1 trillion of which would come from revenues in closed tax loopholes, over the next decade.  The bipartisan group of senators comprises Democrats Kent Conrad ND; Dick Durbin, IL; and Mark Warner, VA, along with Republicans Saxby Chambless, GA; Mike Crapo, ID; and, Tom Coburn, OK.  Coburn left the "gang" in May over disagreements on some of the proposal's components, but returned when he convinced his fellow senators to include cuts in federal health programs.

Forty-seven senators attended today's meeting during which the Gang of Six explained their plan.  Almost half of the attendees were Republicans, a hopeful sign that at least one of the houses of Congress can reach compromise.  The House of Representatives has reached an impasse, so the Republicans are offering something they call Cut, Cap, and Balance that would allow the debt ceiling to rise without their voting for it.  Ham on Wry believes its plan Cut the Crap would better serve the nation.  It appears our representatives prefer to take the coward's way out rather than creating something innovative that would contain ideas from both sides.

Democratic pollster Peter D. Hart conducted an NBC/WSJ poll with Republican pollster Bill McInturff to measure public opinion about budget deficit negotiations.  Hart says the public’s message demands compromise and action before the August 2 deadline.  Differences existed between results from Democrats and Independents as compared to Republicans.  Over half of the Republicans and 70% of Tea Party supporters want Republicans to hold the line, while just a third of the Democrats and Independents polled support the Republican plan.  "My way or the highway" is the rallying cry of the Tea Party.  Ham on Wry prefers the highway.  Perhaps they can be dumped in Boston Harbor in the same way Bostonians dumped British tea in the period leading to the Revolutionary War. 

Surely, not all Republicans in the House of Representatives behave like petulant children.  Take a cue from your fellow Republicans in the Senate and open your minds to what will serve the American people well.  Many of you have forgotten that George Bush asked for and received 7 increases to the debt ceiling during his presidency.  Remember that and remember all registered citizens have the power to vote, 56 million of whom will be receiving Social Security by the next election.  House Republicans must stop vacillating from the platforms on which they were elected and negotiate, instead of shirking their duties.