Commission costs more than it's worth

With great fanfare, President Obama just announced the formation of his "Debt Reduction Commission" that he has tasked to determine ways by which the federal debt can be reduced and otherwise brought under control. Former Clinton staffer, Erskine Bowles, and former Senator, Alan Simpson, are to co-chair the commission.

I had two immediate reactions to this announcement. First, there was no mention of the commission's cost to the taxpayers or of from what revenue sources the expenses will be paid. Even if Bowles and Simpson work as nonpaid volunteers they, and others on the commission, will be paid for travel, meals, and lodging. In addition, the commission will be provided with staff, space, supplies, and equipment - all of which will involve substantial expense. Isn't it an odd contradiction that a commission that will focus upon reducing the nation's debt will, by virtue of its operating expenses, add to that debt?

My second reaction was: "Good grief! Haven't we taxpayers already hired 535 members of Congress, and an army of political appointees in the White House, to do things like building viable budgets and strategic financial planning? Why then do taxpayers have to incur the added costs of this silly commission that will purport to do what the Congress and all of the President's men and women should be doing themselves?"

Even though I haven't yet been asked to serve on the new commission, I will, at no cost to the taxpayers, tell President Obama about one way to reduce debt. Just stop spending money. Please, no more stimulus bills, bailouts, czars, and silly commissions.

Charles F. Falk

Schaumburg