Republicans have reportedly agreed -- reluctantly of course -- to take part in a bipartisan commission on dealing with the deficit. That is, almost the same commission that senior Republicans at first proposed, and then voted against when Obama called for it. The difference is that, having defeated a commission that would have had real power to put its recommendations into effect, these stalwart legislators of Geezers Obstructing Progress now are prepared to participate in an emasculated commission whose recommendations they can turn down. Thus, they can appear to be doing something about a problem they admit is serious -- while actually insuring that nothing will be done.
Obama is correct in saying that the commission's mission is daunting because the issues involved -- the rationalization of our out-of-control entitlements, among others -- are politically charged and likely to enrage various special interests. That takes courage, a commodity in very short supply in today's Washington. Can we expect that lawmakers already nervous about where they'll be parking their behinds next January will really come out publicly for the sort of bold, unpopular belt-tightening measures that are needed?
No, in fact they're already backpedaling from such potentially disastrous (for them) ideas by setting preconditions: "No tax increases." Well, of course that's a very popular (and populist) motto but it's irresponsible and unrealistic. I can be pretty sure that Joseph Stack, the fun-loving wacko that flew his airplane into an IRS office yesterday, must have been a Republican -- because apparently, like these GOP legislators (perhaps even influenced by them?) he seems to have believed that government services can somehow be provided without anyone having to pay for them.
There's one small hope for the commission: Maybe all those Representatives and Senators who are hurrying to announce their retirements could do all the rest of us a big favor by doing the sensible, responsible thing: pushing to develop and enact some measures before they step out the door in January. It's likely a very slim hope.
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