“Super Congress” Destroys Constitutional Government

4 August 2011

For me and many other Americans, the most Constitutionally flagrant aspect of the Budget Control Act (BCA) rests in the creation of a “Super Congress.” Forget the fact that the BCA fails to cut spending while it ignores the basic underlying problem of fiscal insolvency. The creation of a “Super Congress” to find the additional $1.5 trillion in cuts isolates most of Congress from the ability to legislate budgetary policy and to set tax rates. This is a gross violation of the Constitution.

There is much speculation throughout the media that this commission will implement stringent tax increases to pay for future budget shortfalls, foreign wars, and growing entitlements. The Huffington Post reported nearly two weeks ago that “A Super Congress would be less accountable than the system that exists today.” Some see the “Super Congress” as a monumental win for the elite establishment.

“The establishment of a “Super Congress” will completely demolish the credibility and the authority of the system of elected representatives. It represents another final nail in the coffin of the American Republic and its replacement with an executive dictatorship run by the political elite.”

The danger lies in the committee’s structure, which affords it a degree of power unseen in American government. The 13-member committee will be composed of six members from the House and six members from the Senate to be picked by top Congressional leadership, with the 13th tie-breaking vote belonging to the President. In addition, the committee holds the authority to fast-track legislation through both chambers of Congress, allowing legislators only an up or down vote. The implication becomes clear when one understands that any legislation coming from the “Super Congress” is tied directly to subsequent debt-ceiling increases. Considering recent events and the spending addiction that characterizes Washington, the possibilities of Congress failing to raise the debt ceiling in the future are not worth mentioning. In short, members of the House and Senate will likely be forced to accept anything coming out the group without the ability to propose amendments. Congressman Ron Paul highlights the group’s effects on Congressional legitimacy.

“Perhaps the most disturbing aspect of this deal is the “Super Congress” provision. This is nothing more than a way to disenfranchise the majority of Congress by denying them the chance for meaningful participation in the crucial areas of entitlement and tax reform. It cedes power to draft legislation to a special commission, hand-picked by the House and Senate leadership. The legislation produced by this commission will be fast-tracked, and Members will not have the opportunity to offer amendments. Approval of the recommendations of the “Super Congress” is tied to yet another debt ceiling increase. This guarantees that Members will face tremendous pressure to vote for whatever comes out of this commission– even if it includes tax increases. This provision is an excellent way to keep spending decisions out of the reach of members who are not on board with the leadership’s agenda.”

The BCA highlights an increasingly defined pattern in American government whereby Washington grows in power from its own neglect of prudent governance. Over recent decades, Washington has gained an unprecedented amount of control over the economy. Now it uses the financial crisis and subsequent debt crisis – which resulted from misaligned policies originating from Washington – to grant itself unprecedented powers that not only trample Constitutional government, but isolate many of its own members. This amounts to nothing less than a death spiral of representative government. I urge you to inform yourself and to stay informed of these matters, for despite the meaningless rhetoric of “our children’s future” emanating from Washington, such legislation effectively strips us from any power to control our own financial destinies.

Below is a video from Fox News. While I normally stay away from Fox (I feel they are too much part of the mainstream media establishment), this video presents the meat of the issue well.





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