Alan Simpson and the Obama Deficit Commission

OK -- I hafta ask. Just why was right winger Alan Simpson, who, as TPM reports here, has a long history of advocating gutting social security, appointed to the Obama's administration deficit panel  “Fiscal Reform Commission” in the first place?

For that matter, since it's so obviously idiotic to worry about deficits on the brink of a potential deflationary depression, why does this panel even exist?

Democrats must commit to restoring jobs to the economy, and to maintaining the middle class safety net. Republicans and Republican ideas should have no place at the table.