The Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, or "supercommittee," will meet today for the first time, beginning a three month process to reign in the nation's deficit. Considering the flurry of fundraisers some members of the committee are lining up, they better make the most of their time.

Q: Some watchdog groups have called for a moratorium on fundraising for the 12 lawmakers on the committee that will recommend the cuts, to keep the process free of special influence. What do you think about that?

A: "Personally, I've canceled a bunch of events."

The Federal Election Commission (FEC) released the congressional fundraising numbers for the first half of this year, and not surprisingly, they are huge.

Fighting for something you've been "fighting" against. This latest bit of congressional hypocrisy is brought to you by none other than House Budget Committee Chairman, Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.). Ryan often claims that closing tax loopholes is a great way to reign in the budget deficit. And he's right. However, while espousing the virtues of closing loopholes, Ryan has also spent his career fighting for them for his biggest campaign donors.

Here's a round-up of Public Campaign and Public Campaign Action Fund's work for the week of Aug 15-Aug 19, 2011.

"The names have been changed to protect the revolving door." You could say that. It's hard to say for sure, but it seems a little fishy. Think Progress reports on a former Goldman Sachs Vice President who changed his name shortly before going on to become a top staffer to House Oversight Committee chairman, Rep. Darrell Issa (D-Calif.).

"Pay-to-say meetings?" Want to ask a question of Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.)? That'll be $15. Maybe you want to ask freshman Congressman Ben Quayle (R-Ariz.) about his stance on the deficit reduction committee? I hope you've got $35 to spare. That's right, during this congressional summer recess when our elected representatives head back to their districts to presumably meet with constituents, these Members, and countless others like them, are holding town hall meetings. But you've got to pony up to get in.

Who will the deficit reduction “super committee” look out for, regular Americans, or their special interest campaign donors?

The relationship between a member of Congress and their constituents should be similar to a golfer and their caddie. The caddie is there to help navigate them around the course, offer local insight, and help the golfer understand the conditions on the ground, so that they can respond accordingly. But when the caddie isn't even along for the ride, and is made a far-away spectator, his/her concerns are ignored.

Here's a round-up of Public Campaign and Public Campaign Action Fund's work for the week of Aug 1-Aug 5, 2011.