We Need Jobs, Not A Deficit Commission

In a conference call with reporters, Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn.; Thea Lee, deputy chief of staff, AFL-CIO; James Galbraith, economist, professor at Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs; and Campaign for America’s Future codirectors Robert Borosage and Roger Hickey argue in favor of a robust jobs-creation program along the lines of the AFL-CIO five-point jobs program. They also oppose the “budget commission” proposed by Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., and Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H., that would replace the normal legislative process with expedited budget-cutting procedures prohibiting amendments and limiting debate. More than 30 major organizations have signed a statement warning that such a commission could propose cutting public investments as well as Social Security and Medicare benefits.