Will the “Super Committee” be so super?

As of today 9 out of 12 members of the new congressional super committee have been selected to determine the fate of our economic future, but will this simply be a replay of the debt ceiling discussions or will real progress be made.

At first sight there is a disturbing fact, every one of the 6 Republican members of the committee have signed Grover Norquist’s pledge to NEVER raise taxes in ANY circumstances. So if they continue to take this unwavering stance of not raising taxes this committee is likely doomed and automatic triggers should kick in and take away from defense and domestic spending.

The only ray of hope here is the triggers will force the hand of these Republican members and consider equal pain for all groups. Will any of them break from Grover’s pledge?

This is not to discount what Democrats have to do. As painful as it will be, some adjustments to entitlement programs are necessary to guarantee their solvency. No it’s not an immediate problem, but it is a problem nonetheless and requires action.

Maybe if we can shed some of the political vitriol that so many people have been slinging for a generation or so, and get back to the basics of governance, then maybe approval for Congress will rise, and our Republic can begin to thrive again.