GOP failed to fulfill job, compromise
The deadline for the congressional “supercommittee” to agree on various means of reducing the federal deficit by $1.2 trillion expired early last week after Republicans vetoed numerous proposals tailored to meet nearly all of their demands. The bipartisan special joint committee was comprised of 12 representatives, an even split between red and blue, but failed miserably to compromise.
This stalemate, and the baffling inefficiency with which the federal government has been functioning as of late, is largely due to the Taxpayer Protection Pledge. Signed by nearly every Republican in both the House and Senate, the Pledge prohibits signees from raising taxes for their entire careers at penalty of committing political suicide and being ostracized by the Republican base.
The six “supercommittee” Republican members teased Democrats with a concession of minor tax increases in exchange for spending cuts, but ultimately held true to their pledge, refusing to compromise and ultimately, refusing to do their jobs.
Democrats conceded as much as they possibly could, putting massive spending cuts on the table that would reduce programs like Medicare that Republicans have historically targeted in exchange for modest tax hikes on only the wealthiest Americans.
Rational Americans aren’t so thrilled: The latest polls show that the approval ratings of congressional Republicans are far lower than President Barack Obama’s. Voters are taking note of the obstructionist policies of the right.
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