A powerful compromise

Two of California's most powerful politicians, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, appear headed for a showdown.

The issue: U.S. deficits and debt. Congress faces yet another vote to increase the debt limit. So how do Congress and the president rein in the biggest cost drivers in the budget -- health care and retirement pensions?

Pelosi believes the first step must be to pass health care reform that brings down costs across the system. While Feinstein also supports health care reform, she and other senators want Congress to establish a permanent commission to make recommendations every five years on Social Security and Medicare solvency.

While it may be great entertainment to see these powerful women butt heads, it would be far better for them to hash out a deal. Congress could create a one-year independent Social Security and Medicare Solvency Commission.

A commission need not be permanent or undo the regular legislative process to be effective. California's two dynamos could make it happen.