The Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, also known as the "supercommittee," holds its first organizational meeting after being created out of the bipartisan compromise on the debt ceiling crisis in August, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Sept. 8, 2011. From left to right are: Rep. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., Rep. Dave Camp, R-Mich., Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich., Rep. Xavier Becerra, D-Calif., Rep. Jeb Hensarling, R-Texas, co-chair, Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., co-chair, Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., and Sen. Patrick Toomey, R-Pa. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
My kids do a lot of fun things including play video games (me too, sometimes). They use the term “epic fail” to describe a botched attempt at a game achievement. The Urban Dictionary describes “epic fail” as a complete and total failure when success should have been reasonably easy to attain.
So, one video game player might say to the other “Dude, we just got wiped out!” The other player responds “Oh, man… epic fail!”
Many Americans are angry and frustrated and consider the Congressional Super Committee’s effort to slash $1.2 trillion from the deficit an “epic fail”. Various political analysts believe the Super Committee was destined to fail because the ground rules were narrow… but who’s to blame? President Obama and Democrats on the Committee blame the Republicans who were unwilling to increase revenues with new taxes on the rich. Republicans blame the President for a lack of leadership and Democrats for not wanting to cut entitlement programs.
A new exclusive Action News Poll conducted by Survey USA shows Californians believe there’s plenty of blame to go around for the failure of the Super Committee and a majority support the committee members being recalled. Survey USA asked 800 adults a series of questions regarding Congress and the Super Committee and here are the results:
Do you approve or disapprove of the job the U.S. Congress is doing?
Approve 6% Disapprove 87% Not Sure 7%
What grade would you give the Super Committee?
A – 2% B – 2% C – 17% D – 24% F – 53% Not Sure – 1%
Who is to blame for the failure of the Super Committee?
Republicans 32% Democrats 21% Both Equally 44% Not Sure 3%
Would you support or oppose a drive to recall the 12 members of the Super Committee?
Support 46% Oppose 34% Not Sure 19%
How would you respond to those questions?
Survey USA also asked more than 500 registered California voters for their opinion on the President’s job performance. The result is basically a split review for Mr. Obama. 48% responded they “approve” of the job the President is doing while 46% “disapprove”. 6% responded “not sure”. The margin of error for the poll is 4.4%.
Two members of the Valley’s Congressional delegation weighed in on the Super Committee’s lack of a deal on deficit reduction.
Representative Jeff Denham issued this statement: "The Joint Select Committee failed to achieve its goal, but it did shine light on the enormous challenges facing our country as well as possible solutions. Last week, our national debt exceeded $15 trillion and millions of Americans are still without a job. In the coming weeks, we must focus on pro-growth policies that will allow our economy to rebound and ensure a brighter future for generations to come. I’m hopeful House Leadership will work to close the gap on these unresolved issues by evaluating bipartisan solutions like my bill, the Civilian Property Realignment Act (CPRA).”
Denham says taxpayers could save $15 billion if tens of thousands of underused or vacant Federal buildings across the country were sold off. Denham claims his bill would remove the red ink and politics from that process.
Fresno Congressman Jim Costa also issued this statement regarding the Super Committee:
“I am very frustrated but not surprised by the Super Committee’s failure to reach an agreement given the entrenched positions in both caucuses,” said Costa. “I will continue to fight to ensure that common sense prevails in getting our nation’s fiscal house in order. Truly, a majority of Americans believe that common ground can be found without both parties taking such absolute positions. The Simpson-Bowles framework would be a good place to start. Congress must do better; the American people deserve better.”
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