This post was co-authored with Louise Mackey, intern from the Washington Ireland Program 

It is now a little under one week until the deadline for the congressional joint committee on deficit reduction, or super committee, to report its recommendations.  Inside Washington, many are skeptical that committee members will meet their goal of $1.5 trillion in further deficit reduction.

I heard from a long time Concord Coalition volunteer that some members of the joint congressional committee tasked with finding at least $1.5 trillion in deficit reductions over the next 10 years -- who are, as you might guess, being inundated with suggestions and ideas -- are only interested in hearing from their own home state and district constituents.  

This is unfortunate and another example of why the public must be the 13th Super Committee Member.  

On Thursday, October 23rd, I spent the day at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado (elevation 6,872 feet). The college is located about 25 miles north of the New Mexico and Colorado border and it is really one of the most beautiful places I have ever been.

My day was packed! I had an 8:00 a.m. presentation, a radio interview on KDUR, lunch and dinner discussions with students (who were all exceptionally bright), an afternoon presentation, and finally a screening of I.O.U.S.A.. My guides at the "Fort" were Professors Jennifer Stollman and John Gadbois.