When the President tells Reid, Boehner, McConnell, Pelosi, and finally Biden over and over again, since Bowles-Simpson was crafted several months ago, vacillating each time on what he wants to see without giving specifics for necessary justification or he will not sign it, what do you expect them to do? Arm 535 members of Congress with AK-47's to march to the Oval Office, point them at the occupant behind the desk and say "Sign it!"?
It is past time to put the blame where it belongs: the President and Harry Reid. Bowles-Simpson was and still is recognized by many in both parties as the best deal to accomplish solving the debt crisis and balancing the budget in the long run and the President should have accepted it. What's done is done. We are where we are but more is coming.
As for the fear-mongers, they are out in droves. For instance, I paid 6.2 percent into Social Security my entire working career (34 years) and now I am repulsed every time anyone refers to Social Security as an entitlement. It is going broke as a result of Congress borrowing from it for their pet projects since we retirees had built up a substantial surplus to guarantee its solvency into the future. Isn't it astonishing how the collective wisdom of our elected leaders in Washington can come back and slap you down in a myriad of ways for voting for them.
Have a nice day and stay informed. We can make a difference.
Charlotte Parton
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Ms. Parton,
I'm afraid you are incorrect. The recommendations of the Bowles-Simpson Commission were never voted on by either the House nor the Senate because members from both parties on the commission rejected it. That's right--no vote, both parties, equal blame.
Steve Perry