Slashdot Mirror


Debt Reduction Super Committee Fails To Agree

Hugh Pickens writes "VOA reports that the latest effort to cut the U.S. government's debt apparently has ended in failure as leaders of the special 12-member debt reduction committee plan to announce that they failed in their mandate from lawmakers to trim the federal debt by $1.2 trillion over the next decade. Democrats and Republicans blame each other for the collapse of the effort. 'Our Democratic friends were never able to do the entitlement reforms,' said Republican Senator Jon Kyl. 'They weren't going to do anything without raising taxes.' Democratic Senator Patty Murray, one of the committee's co-chairs, says that the Republicans' position on taxes was the sticking point. 'The wealthiest Americans who earn over a million a year have to share too. And that line in the sand, we haven't seen Republicans willing to cross yet,' Now in the absence of an agreement, $1.2 trillion in across-the-board spending cuts to domestic and defense programs are set to take effect starting in January, 2013, and the lack of a deal will deprive President Barack Obama of a vehicle for extending a payroll tax cut and insurance benefits for unemployed Americans, which expire at the end of the year." (Though the official deadline for the committee's hoped-for plan is tomorrow — the 23d — they were to have provided it for review 48 hours prior.)

9 of 954 comments (clear)

  1. How do you get 2 politicians to agree? by cgfsd · · Score: 5, Funny

    Line their pockets with gaff and offer them the opportunity to screw over the public.

    1. Re:How do you get 2 politicians to agree? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

      This message brought to you by the George W Bush "I fucked you all but thanks for blaming it on the black guy" committee for Right-Wing "Truthiness."

    2. Re:How do you get 2 politicians to agree? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

      As a chimpanzee, I find that offensive. Michelle Obama looks like a gorilla.

    3. Re:How do you get 2 politicians to agree? by Cro+Magnon · · Score: 5, Funny

      Frankly, if I were a chimp, I would be very offended at being compared to a politician, of either party or color.

      --
      Slow down, cowboy! It has been 4 hours since you last posted. You must wait another few hours.
  2. Re:I blame Norquist by Enry · · Score: 5, Funny

    See? You're part of the problem.

  3. Re:So both and get it done! by PortHaven · · Score: 4, Funny

    Why not?

    They've made tons of obviously bad choices already. It'd be nice to see them try some potentially different bad choices. ;-)

  4. Thank You America by Chrisq · · Score: 5, Funny

    Thank You America for letting us in Europe feel that we are not alone in being governed by a bunch of self-serving idiots

  5. Time for plan C by Patron · · Score: 3, Funny

    The super committee failed. Time to bring in the Super Duper Ultra Committee.

  6. Re:Republicans and Taxes by Herkum01 · · Score: 3, Funny

    Thanks for the insight Grover Norquist, you have been a big help!