Erskine Bowles from the pro-corporate branch of the Democratic Party (Democratic Leadership Council) and Alan Simpson, former reactionary Republican U.S. Senator, both appointed by President Obama to lead his euphemistically entitled National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, are putting out signals that “responsibility and reform” will be placed squarely on the backs of the middle class and poor Americans. Here are a couple quotes from the former Clinton Chief of Staff Bowles that a correspondent of mine picked up from Reuters (Washington, July 14):

” Bowles said he favors lowering corporate and individual income tax rates and putting in place a tax on consumption.”

“Both Simpson and Bowles made clear that cuts in defense spending, food stamps and other social programs as well as the Social Security retirement program and Medicare healthcare program for the elderly were under consideration.”

In their talk to the Chamber, Simpson and Bowels expressed their opposition to increasing the very low and ever decreasing taxes on the top wealth in this country.  Rather, they suggested that eliminating the mortgage interest deduction, widely favored by middle class home owners, would be a better alternative.

If President Obama and the Democrats in the House and Senate, by going along with the NCFRR, signal that the Democratic Party is still under the thumb of the pro-business, anti-working class DLC wing of the party, a huge chunk of the base will be furious.  The blowback will be so intense that President Obama will be insured a single term in office and the Democrats in the Senate and House will have a difficult time motivating the base in the 2012 election-year.

This is a big deal!  The Democrats had better understand what Social Security & Medicare mean to American voters.