Possible US Deficit Commission Recommendations Leak

Later this year a Presidentially created bi-partisan commission aimed at taking heat off of the President and the Congress for deficit reduction will release its recommendations to the American people and the government. The Commission is being chaired by Former Senator Alan Simpson and Former Clinton Chief of Staff Erskine Bowles.

Today, some of the recommendation were aired out in the press, and no hot button deficit issue was left untouched. The panel proposes changes to Social Security, Medicare, federal salaries, foreign aid, popular tax breaks, farm subsidies and even the Defense Department budget.

For example, the Commission wishes to raise the retirement age to 68, and then phase it up to 69 by 2075. They also are seeking a reduction in cost of living increases. Another suggestion is that the mortgage interest deduction that so many Americans have become accustomed to would be no more, effectively creating a huge tax increase for millions of homeowners.

Any suggestion to make the report, which will be released on December 1, 2010, needs fourteen votes for acceptance. This is more than a majority of the members. Since commission is bi-partisan, it will be interesting to see which provisions actually make the cut, considering the fact that in this political climate, Republicans will be strongly against any tax increases, and Democrats will, as always, be opposed to any cuts from government programs.

This is a Commission tasked with cutting over $1 Trillion in spending over time. I just hope the panel can vote as realistic adults and do what is right for our nation’s fiscal situation. If they need any help, theres a certain Governor I would recommend talking to…

Brian McGovern
About Brian McGovern 748 Articles
Brian McGovern wears many hats these days including Voorhees Township GOP Municipal Chairman, South Jersey attorney, and co-owner of the Republican campaign consulting firm Exit 3 Strategies, Inc.