"Super" Congress?

[taekwondave]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/0..._n_907887.html

[old_gregg]

joint committees are not new

[taekwondave]

joint committees are not new

Could you explain it to me? I'm not a big fan of the word "super" preceding "congress", considering the meaning of it is "above", but I admit I don't understand exactly what it is or how it works. Does everyone on this board thinks its as much of a non-issue as you do, because if so then I can probably rest easy.

[taekwondave]

"Legislation approved by the Super Congress -- which some on Capitol Hill are calling the "super committee" -- would then be fast-tracked through both chambers, where it couldn't be amended by simple, regular lawmakers, who'd have the ability only to cast an up or down vote. With the weight of both leaderships behind it, a product originated by the Super Congress would have a strong chance of moving through the little Congress and quickly becoming law. A Super Congress would be less accountable than the system that exists today, and would find it easier to strip the public of popular benefits."

... little help?

[falafel]

I don't think its a non-issue, but I'm not sure what I think of it. On the one hand, I'm worried about a committee like that cramming down some very unpopular legislation, although I'm not sure how much danger there is since the proposed laws would still be subject to an up or down vote by both houses.

On the other hand, I like the idea of preventing good and useful bills from being porked to death and then becoming law.

[venkman]

Easier to buy off / control 12 than it is 535. Yeah, this is not good.

[pellegrino]

this would be the nail in the coffin of American democracy.

[Borderline Divine]

this would be the nail in the coffin of American democracy.

This would be the perfect opportunity for Harry Ried to fulfill the White Horse Prophesy. Oh the irony that the constitution would be saved by a Mormon who is despised by 90% of his co-religionists.

[NorthwestUteFan]

this would be the nail in the coffin of American democracy.

What is your precise meaining?

'A nail'?
'THE nail'?
'the final nail'?
'the first nail'?

Whatever it is, this is exceptionally bad. Why bother with that messy 'deliberation' thing at all? We already have TSA agents sticking their hands down our pants without a warrant, so why resist? We already are relatively close to a totalitarian regime, and it does NOT matter which party is in control (D=R in most ways).

I would love to see Harry Reid suggest abolishing the XVII amendment, forcing the Senate to answer to, and represent the interests of, the various States themselves.

[Moliere]

It would be awesome if the lawmakers in this committee wore capes and included a provision in the proposed legislation that made disbanded the BCS.

I don't like the idea of a Super Congress. It's not really and up or down vote since (if I'm reading it correctly) a down vote will immediately force in other cost cutting provisions. I guess this is the only way politicians can come up with to cut entitlements, spending or raise taxes without losing their jobs. A bunch of pansies they all are!

[pellegrino]

What is your precise meaining?

'A nail'?
'THE nail'?
'the final nail'?
'the first nail'?

Whatever it is, this is exceptionally bad. Why bother with that messy 'deliberation' thing at all? We already have TSA agents sticking their hands down our pants without a warrant, so why resist? We already are relatively close to a totalitarian regime, and it does NOT matter which party is in control (D=R in most ways).

I would love to see Harry Reid suggest abolishing the XVII amendment, forcing the Senate to answer to, and represent the interests of, the various States themselves.

I'll let the ambiguity stand.

[il Padrino Ute]

It is horrendously bad. It will allow either side to shove their agenda down the throats of the people. It's one of the most self serving attempts by politicians to be able to continue the status quo, all because Tea Party candidates have gone to Washington to stop that status quo.

I'm with pelligrino here.

[YOhio]

It is horrendously bad. It will allow either side to shove their agenda down the throats of the people. It's one of the most self serving attempts by politicians to be able to continue the status quo, all because Tea Party candidates have gone to Washington to stop that status quo.

I'm with pelligrino here.

Il Pad is fear-mongering. Shocking.

I'm quite comfortable in predicting that this committee will have no contribution in the construction of the American democratic coffin.

[il Padrino Ute]

Il Pad is fear-mongering. Shocking.

I'm quite comfortable in predicting that this committee will have no contribution in the construction of the American democratic coffin.

Make your case that it's no big deal.

[YOhio]

Make your case that it's no big deal.

Every time a piece legislation is passed in both houses where conflicting provisions exist, a Joint Committee is established to hash out the details. The bill, as modified, then goes back to both houses for a final vote without amendment. This has happened literally thousands of times since our nation was founded. Also, as camleish has pointed out, standing Joint Committees have existed for some time and we've yet to see democracy die as a result. Interestingly enough, Tea Party heroes Mike Lee and Jim DeMint are participants in the Joint Economic Committee.