From Rep. Paul Broun's, M.D. (GA) Blog:

On Friday, President Obama appointed the last few members of his “National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform” a.k.a. the debt commission.  I find it ironic that Democrats are so addicted to their big-spending ways that they need other people to force them to stop spending away our children’s future. But let’s not hold our breath waiting on this commission to make an intervention.

I have several concerns with establishing a debt commission, specifically one compromised of outside “experts.” For example, how much will this commission cost? Commonsense tells us that a debt commission should not add one penny to the debt, but the President’s plan allocates money for items such as travel expenditures.  In the past, commissions and “Czars” have been allocated millions of dollars, have accomplished little, and often used the money for “field hearings” in places like Vegas.  So, will the very existence of this debt commission ironically cause more fiscal irresponsibility? 

Second, how much authority does the President believe he can give this commission?  The only way this commission could have any affect on the budget is if Democrats plan to enact its suggestions.  Will we spend money and then not even listen to their recommendation?  If Democrats in Washington are serious about reducing debt—they will stop the big spending now! Instead, they are pushing through another stimulus, introducing budgets with record-high deficits, ramming through a government take-over of health care, and cap and tax. 

Most important, I am concerned with the very notion of a “debt commission.”  Members of Congress have been sent to Washington by the American people and have a fiduciary duty to them.  Congress has the power of the purse—in good times and bad.  We have been hired by the American people to fulfill our duties enumerated in the Constitution.  If lawmakers do not feel up to the task, then they should resign—not defer their constitutional duties to other people.

The American people are tired of the Democrats’ arrogant big spending. They are tired of Democrat ignorance, and they are tired of their incompetent solutions.  The American people don’t want any more commissions; they just want Congress to do its job so that more Americans can find one.