The "supercommittee" didn't come close. The smart money began betting against them weeks ago. Lobbyists knew more about what was going on than the public. An Associated Press report about the supercommittee's failure described its life as brief and secretive. "Fitful" and "futile" were the words The New York Times used to describe negotiations.
Both Alaska Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Mark Begich said Monday they were disappointed and frustrated. Both pointed out, however, that tackling the $15 trillion debt and reigniting the economy remain works in progress.
More politics than progress.
What's frustrating to Americans and Alaskans, at least those who try to operate within the bounds of reason, is that politicians can't seem to get together to work out the kind of compromise that seems obvious. Roll back the Bush tax cuts on the wealthiest Americans. Take a hard look at the most expensive federal programs, from social services to the military, and see where cuts can be made. Enact policies that will help rebuild the American middle class -- and rekindle hope for the poorest Americans that they can get there, and for the middle class that they can stay there.
Don't bellow about taxing "job creators." Instead, offer tax credits to those outfits that demonstrably create American jobs. In the not-so-long run, that will attack the deficit with greater tax revenues from a healthier economy. There's truth -- though not the whole truth -- in that old adage that the best social welfare program is a good job.
The supercommittee's failure isn't a disaster. It's more like continued decline, a little more faith lost in our ability to work things out, to balance the freedom of the market with our desire for fair play and decency. That's called governing.
No agreement means more than $1 trillion in across-the-board cuts beginning in 2013. But there's an election between now and then and a year for Congress to change its mind. Don't take any cuts to the bank.
Those with the luxury to thoughtfully stroke their chins talk about a persistent deadlock until American voters decide on American values in the 2012 election. Maybe -- but whether or not the election resolves much, that's another year of limbo or worse for millions of Americans and an absence of American economic leadership at a time when the world needs it.
The nation is resilient; history tells us the United States has seen far tougher times. But the supercommittee had an opportunity to rebuild faith in our institutions and ourselves, to temper partisanship with genuine statesmanship. Missed it.
BOTTOM LINE: Deficit panel deadlock squanders time and opportunity.
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