I've been thinking a lot about the presentation made by members of the Obama Deficit Commission Alan Simpson and Erskine Bowles yesterday. Why release this information now? The commission has yet to vote on anything let alone get 14 votes out of 18 on something. The thought came to me that perhaps it's all about the current political environment and the recent election results.
Even though Alan Simpson is a former Republican Senator, Erskine Bowles is a Democrat. Perhaps Bowles was able to convince Simpson into releasing this awful scary news now as a so-called 'trail balloon', in order to change the tone in Washington. Perhaps it was to shift the focus onto 'Social Security and Medicare' rather than the ones the Republican Party's been pushing since winning the House, 'Repeal health care' and 'investigate the Obama administration'.
For some odd reason, talking about the nations security has always benefited the Republican Party over the years that is why the Bush administration did so well pushing 'fear of terrorism', whereas talking about cuts to Social Security, Medicare and social programs have been beneficial to the Democratic Party. What better way is there to get the nation off the election story, off the Health Care reform story and any investigations into the Obama administration? Cuts to social programs or tax increases of course.
In this case the social programs are Social Security, retirement ages, loss of federal jobs, student loan cuts, Medicaid, Medicare and Veterans care.
Perhaps President Obama, Erskine Bowles and the Democratic Party decided this was a perfect time to 'change' the subject.
They all know that it's going to be some time before the commission comes up with a final vote on anything; but by bringing this out into the opening, guess what the talk shows are talking about now? It's not health care reform. It's not the historical win by Republican on November 2nd. It's not about Obama losing his mandate anymore either. It's all about what this commission is thinking of doing.
I refuse to believe that Obama and the Democrats would be willing to cut social security benefits so deeply; they may however agree to an age increase and the Social Security contribution ceiling increase. They may also agree to reduce benefits by 2050 for higher earners as well, but not for the middle class folks. I also believe they may go along with the comprehensive tax reform plans. They will also agree to eliminate most earmarks.
In other words, they'll agree to some of the suggestions, enough to push down any criticism made by Republicans about not being willing to cut spending and reduce the deficit; but they won't gut the system as this presentation by these two men implies the commission will do.
Not only does releasing this information now help the Democrats politically, it can help them for the 2012 election cycle. Why you ask? Because the Republicans being pushed from the rear by the Tea Party will be forced to push for deeper cuts in Social Security, Medicare, defense, Medicaid and veterans care, and they will be forced to demand that tax cuts NOT be removed for the wealthy. They'll be forced to ask for more than the Democratic Party and President Obama are willing to sign off on. Things that always hurt the Republican Party with mainstream Americans.
Whether or not this was planned doesn't really matter now that I realize the potential benefit it brings to not only the Democrats by getting them out of the rut their in; but it also benefits the American's future.
Even though it may mean deeper cuts, it will in the long run, help our nation get out of debt and save Social Security for future retirees.
Meanwhile, the Democrats can benefit by fighting for less cuts against seniors, the poor and veterans, while at the same time support the stopping of tax cuts for the rich. All things that usually benefit them during election cycles.