Did Obama's debt panel waste its time?
The Simpson-Bowles deficit-reduction commission has issued its final plan, but is it so controversial it will simply be ignored?

The chairmen of President Obama's bipartisan deficit-reduction panel, former Sen. Alan Simpson (R-WY) and Clinton budget official Erskine Bowles, released their final report on Wednesday, urging big cuts in military spending and Social Security along with the elimination of popular tax deductions. But the proposals won't go to Congress without the approval of at least 14 of the panel's 18 members, and so far only two, Sens. Judd Gregg (R-NH) and Kent Conrad (D-ND), have said they'll vote yes on Friday. After months of effort, has the commission's work been for naught? (Watch Neil Cavuto say the panel should be commended)
The tax changes are deal-killers: Simpson and Bowles have at least achieved "the fruits of true bipartisanship," says Ed Morrissey in Hot Air — both parties hate the proposals. Personally, I don't see anything "outrageous or surprising," and some ideas, like raising the retirement age, "should have been done years ago." But "the elimination of two major tax breaks," especially the home-mortgage deduction, "will almost certainly doom this proposal."
"Deficit panel releases final proposal"
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Congress was bound to mess it up: Even if the panel accepts the plan, says Alex Pareene in Salon, it's hard to see "sensible" reforms such as "the elimination of the mortgage-interest deduction making it through Congress without suddenly becoming the expansion of the mortgage-interest deduction." This commission has just been an exercise by "Washington graybeards" meant to demonstrate their "seriousness."
"The power of civility to save the debt panel report"
Simpson-Bowles has already succeeded: The proposals may not be approved, but "make no mistake," Simpson and Bowles have achieved "something historic," says David Broder in The Washington Post. As Bowles proclaimed, "the era of deficit denial in Washington is over." The panel also managed to changed the debate in D.C., making reform of the tax system a priority.
"From the debt commission proposal, a bipartisan path forward"
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The Week Unwrapped: How do you turn plastics into paracetamol?
Podcast Plus, what is the Wagner Group doing now? And why is it so hard to find a job after university?
-
The week's best photos
In Pictures A daring leap, a plastic protest, and more
-
The origins of the IDF
In Depth The IDF was formed by uniting Zionist paramilitary groups, WWII veterans and Holocaust survivors
-
The JFK files: the truth at last?
In The Spotlight More than 64,000 previously classified documents relating the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy have been released by the Trump administration
-
'Seriously, not literally': how should the world take Donald Trump?
Today's big question White House rhetoric and reality look likely to become increasingly blurred
-
Will Trump's 'madman' strategy pay off?
Today's Big Question Incoming US president likes to seem unpredictable but, this time round, world leaders could be wise to his playbook
-
Democrats vs. Republicans: who are the billionaires backing?
The Explainer Younger tech titans join 'boys' club throwing money and support' behind President Trump, while older plutocrats quietly rebuke new administration
-
US election: where things stand with one week to go
The Explainer Harris' lead in the polls has been narrowing in Trump's favour, but her campaign remains 'cautiously optimistic'
-
Is Trump okay?
Today's Big Question Former president's mental fitness and alleged cognitive decline firmly back in the spotlight after 'bizarre' town hall event
-
The life and times of Kamala Harris
The Explainer The vice-president is narrowly leading the race to become the next US president. How did she get to where she is now?
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?
Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy