Posted by AzBlueMeanie:
Hey media villagers! Pay attention. The Erskin Bowles-Alan Simpson "chairmen's mark" of the Catfood Commission is not the only deficit-reduction plan in town, so stop reporting on it like it is.
I have already told you about Rep. Jan Schakowsky, who is a member of the Catfood Commission, and her altermative deficit-reduction plan. A reasonable alternative to the Catfood Commission "chairmen's mark"; Rep. Jan Schakowsky's deficit-reduction alternative is superior to the Bowles-Simpson "chairmen's mark".
Now there is a Progressive deficit-reduction plan from a joint effort of progressive think tanks The Century Foundation, Demos, and the Economic Policy Institute working under the banner of "Our Fiscal Security." Our Fiscal Security – Fiscal Blueprint:
A Budget Blueprint for Economic Recovery and Fiscal Responsibility
Putting our nation on a path of broad prosperity will require generating new jobs, investing in key areas, modernizing and restoring our revenue base, and greatly increasing the cost efficiency of the health care system. Achieving these goals, however, will require an informed and engaged public to help set national priorities.
The following report puts forth a blueprint that invests in America and creates jobs now, while putting the federal budget on a long-term sustainable path. We document the hard choices that need to be made and suggest specific policies that will yield lower deficits and a sustainable debt while preserving essential initiatives and investments.
The report is available for download (PDF), and viewable below. Click here to download the executive summary (PDF).
Investing in America's Economy
The Catfood Commission, which is heavily weighted in favor of conservatives who still cling to the voo-doo economics of faith based supply-side "trickle down" economics, is the least credible body to determine a deficit-reduction strategy. In fact, it is widely believed that the Bowles-Simpson "chairmen's mark" is unlikely to receive the requisite 14 votes for any of their recommendations. The Catfood Commission may adopt its own alternatives, or prove incapable of mustering 14 votes for any recommedations at all. It is time to report the reasonable alternatives for public discussion and consideration. You know, that whole "informed electorate" thing the media is supposed to provide.
UPDATE: On Tuesday, a separate coalition of liberal groups, economists and labor leaders — the Citizens’ Commission on Jobs, Deficits and America’s Economic Future — will release a similar outline."