David Gergen: Have they gone nuts in Washington?
Editor's note: David Gergen will appear on AC360° at 8 p.m. ET to weigh in on the super committee's negotiations and today's political hot topics.
David Gergen is a senior political analyst for CNN and has been an adviser to four presidents. He is a professor of public service and director of the Center for Public Leadership at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government. Follow him on Twitter: @David_Gergen.
Cambridge, Massachusetts (CNN) - Have they gone nuts in Washington?
Last summer, as the debt ceiling debacle ended, our political leaders held out high hope that a "super committee" would meet for 10 weeks this fall and forge a bipartisan agreement that would do far more to bring down the nation's deficits.
Everyone knew that members of the committee had deep differences.
Republicans complain that federal spending under President Obama has gone up dramatically and cuts should come there before any new taxes.
Democrats say that the rich have increased their wealth much more rapidly than the other 99% of Americans, while their taxes have gone down, so that the first order of business is to raise taxes on them. Both sides have valid points, worthy of debate.
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Filed under: David Gergen • Opinion • Raw Politics |
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Unfortunate for all of America. I new it was doomed from the time I saw all of the appointees! A clean wash of congress would do America good.
About the only person I really have confidence in is David Gergen; Democrat or Republican. Run for president David and encourage new election runs for the Senate and the House!
Tired of talk, finger pointing and the like!
Has there ever been a question of being nuts? Show these thugs to the door and make sure they know it's the EXIT!
I think it's time for drastic reform in our congress. These people have put their party needs above our national interests. Term limits will get them thinking about problem solving problems, rather than the next election.
"A breakdown will automatically trigger "sequestration" - automatic cuts in defense and domestic programs starting in January 2013." That is what they are saying about the Super Committee failure to come up with a compromise solution. Why wait? Start it on January 2012. Let Obama squirm. Seriously, why wait?
Dear David
I almost never agree with you except tonight – Yes they are NUTS! but don't worry I will vote against them the next time I can.
No, they're not nuts,the GOPers oath was to Grover Norquists and not the country. The Dems at least this time didn't cower down to Grover. It's amazing P.Obama elected by the people isn't running the country but Norquist is doing so without from the sidelines.
Thank you Dr. Gupta: great reporting and your comments were the best. Instead of politicians congratulating themselves they should be brought up on charges for crimes against the American public that voted them into power and held accountable to the world for the effect they are having on global economies.
The whole point of having two political parties was so that legislation didn't favor one group of American citizens. Now it favors those that contribute the most to a politician's campaign. It needs to stop. It's time for term-limits, and end to lobbying, and an end to Super Pacs. It's time to create a general election campaign fund. Oh, and to vote those currently in office out.
Edmund Burke, one of the most famous members of England's Parliament from 1765-1794, once said: "Your representative owes you, not his industry only, but his judgment; and he betrays, instead of serving you, if he sacrifices it to your opinion." It seems to me that it is time that our people in Congress start remembering this, for it may be the only way we ever solve our mounting problems...
This comity don't worry about money them self becuse they them self make a lot of money,they don't worry about the comon man or woman.
Like I've been saying, it's time to clean house's come election time. Throw out all this BUMS out of office!
My next comment is down with all incumbents
You have heard of the Arab spring. This seems to be America's fall. Our leaders are collectively a failure. Our civil servants are keeping our country going. Surely they believe in our nation to serve us so well. They are keeping their jobs and getting raises. Corporations need to keep their jobs at home if they want us to buy their goods. Down with the Republicans!!
It is too bad that this is not traditional Japan. There the Super Committee members would have committed suicide over the failure. If only...
how fast can you put these individuals out there and drum into the public's mind their names, making sure if they can be recalled they are or if up for reelection they're out. the people in washington don't need to grow a pair what they need to do is cut off all that graft. yes, i know, let's call it "campaign contributions"
As a retired AP photographer, I would be interested in knowing how much this move in the stock market effected every American cost wise. Also what it will total tomorrow if they don't come to some kind of a plan. Might make us think about this when reelection comes next year.
Agree with David Gergen – Washington is NUTS! "We the People" need to take matters in our own hands. Let both sides of the aisle draft a plan approved by their respective party – then hold a special election across the nation and allow the voters to decide which fiscal plan should be implemented. It's that simple.
Why wasn't there an independent on this committee to make it a baker's dozen? And break any ties?
I love your question! And the answer is: Yeah probably!
They are not going nuts, they are nuts. The people of this nation entrusted these so called leaders to provide leadership and direction and not to act like small children on the playground. It is time to close the gates and stop the abuse of the citizenship by leadership. Leadership has bitten the hand that feeds it one time to many. Lock them out and shut them down.
How much money did the tax payers pay for the supper committee to come up with nothing to help the tax payers who put them there. I think they should pay the money back to the tax payers