This entire "debt ceiling" agreement was simply a "cave" on Obama's part…a complete capitulation. I believe he must be thinking that because he's the incumbent that he can do what he wants and Progressives and Dems will all vote for him; if only because he isn't a crazy GOP/TEA person...but he'd better think twice. This WILL lose him votes.
I doubt many Progressives will like this agreement, being that it still will threaten social programs (I don't believe a word of what they're currently saying about not touching them) and because it doesn't TOUCH the rich or the Corporate Fat Cats. I feel as though this agreement makes the point in the clearest possible way that only the rich really "rate" in this country. It's beginning to feel as though anyone but the top 2% needn't even vote (boy, they'd LOVE that!) because they're the only ones who get everything they want and nothing they don't.
In addition, the creation of this "super commission" is a bad thing on several counts; first of all, we already pay our elected officials in Congress to do the People's business...and THEY should be doing it, including whatever they seem to think that this commission will do. They already are overpaid for the amount of work they do, and their vacation schedule makes Europeans look like workaholics...are we now supposed to believe they don't have the TIME?? Besides...they're apparently going to have more power even than the Congress...so the things they do may be pushed through without the requisite notice to the People, the taxpayers who are the targets of the legislation. Even though these commission members will be drawn from people we elected (shudder), we DIDN'T elect them for this. There's too much secrecy already...we don't need a bunch of cloak and dagger crap from people whose salaries we pay.
The biggest reason of all not to support this is that this entire emergency was a ginned-up event, designed to scare everyone into doing things that no one in their right minds would vote for. It's exactly what happened after Sept. 11 when they passed the Patriot Act...and we still haven't gotten rid of that liberty-destroying, civil rights-ignoring legislation.
The FTC and other Consumer groups are always telling people how to avoid being scammed. They always start by telling you NEVER to sign when someone tells you that it's a "limited time offer", or that you'll lose by waiting. By that, you know that you're very likely being danced and that someone nefarious is trying to get his hands in your pocket. Consequently, I'm always queasy when the government starts telling me that it's an emergency and there's no time to research, decide, intervene, etc. -- because it means I'm probably getting hosed.
It's time to make the government "of the People, By the People and For the People" responsible TO the People again. Please...DON'T SUPPORT THIS BILL. In fact, not supporting it isn't enough...I want you to FIGHT IT. Call your Representatives in Congress and tell them NO. Email the White House, and entreat Obama NOT to sign this bill.
Don't give in to the manufactured fear...stand your ground and DEMAND that your Representatives represent YOU and the 98%, not just the Top 2% who put together this monstrosity.
