The silly sequester dance in Washington
We’re T-minus one day away from the start of automatic federal budget cuts. Yet Americans don’t have much hope that the bumbling elected officials in Washington, D.C., will solve the most recent fiscal mess — called a sequester — by the Friday deadline.
Instead, President Barack Obama and congressional leaders may continue to play their games of political chicken for a few more days, even a week or more. Then, if common sense prevails, the budget cuts will be rescinded or at least put off for another few months, much like Congress did when handling the fiscal cliff debacle at the end of 2012.
The sequester wouldn’t even be necessary if Obama and Congress could act like grown-ups and make some admittedly difficult decisions.
As we have said for months, that should include elimination of some tax-break loopholes and reforms of major entitlement programs to slow their costly growth over time.
Unfortunately, Republicans say they won’t even consider anything that would lead to higher taxes, even for well-off Americans. And Obama isn’t doing much better in coming up with a legitimate plan that would further rein in the growth of government spending.
While this “pox on both their houses” talk goes on, Americans could be hurt if the sequester actually lasts for any substantial period.
Cutbacks could affect meat inspectors, flight controllers, civilian military personnel and others in government service, while slashing public funds for teachers and others. Furloughs, even layoffs, could result. The nation’s economic recovery would again be threatened.
The president and all members of Congress often claim they are serious about efficiently using federal tax dollars. The sequester, with its across-the-board approach, wouldn’t do that. It should be scrapped, and Washington should pass a well-reasoned plan to raise some taxes and cut some spending.
George Hunsucker
Northland
2 months, 3 weeks agoHow much “revenue” was raised in January? Hint, more then the sequester…
zero proposed this bill back in 2011, signed it and said he would veto any bill trying to undo the law. Now, when he has to LEAD, something foreign to zero, he tries to scare everyone.
The Senate of course had 2 bills from the HOuse last year and acted on neither of them following reid’s “leadership”.
Starting to see a pattern here with the libs???
Sequester will be a good start toward reducing government spending albeit it is less then 3%, yes 3 PERCENT, of the budget, but you libs will whine it is draconian.
Come on March 1!!!!!!!!
George Hunsucker
Northland
2 months, 3 weeks agoAnother lib sequester lie……
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/teacher-pink-slips-claim-by-duncan-not-backed-by-evidence/2013/02/27/8a87aa2a-8113-11e2-b99e-6baf4ebe42df_story.html
when are the star’s crack reporters going to report of this lying by zero’s people and of course zero himself??????
Mark Hastert
2 months, 3 weeks agoFunny how this ever passed Congress in the first place when apparently everybody was against it. I thought they had to vote on it.
When civilian employees at military bases start getting furloughed legislators will start paying attention. When the checks are late getting into the mail or the direct deposits are a day or two late everybody will be ready to talk. If big contracts are delayed something will get done PDQ.
William R. Nelson
2 months, 3 weeks agoI think the Obamas should take the high ground and pledge to take fewer $7 million dollar Hawaii vacations in 2013 until this budget calamity has been resolved.
Or simply demand the democrat controlled senate pass a budget for the first time in 4 YEARS!
George Hunsucker
Northland
2 months, 3 weeks agoYou know that is not “FAIR” William, and zero and his globe-trotting sidekick, on our dime of course, are all about being fair…
George Hunsucker
Northland
2 months, 3 weeks agoDoesn’t zero’s “leadership” just make you proud…..
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/feb/27/obama-top-lawmakers-will-meet-friday-budget-cuts/
George Hunsucker
Northland
2 months, 3 weeks agoMore “leadership”, or the lack thereof….
http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/341834/president-obama-s-legacy-government-greed-gov-bobby-jindal
George Hunsucker
Northland
2 months, 3 weeks agomore lib “misspeaks”….
http://nation.foxnews.com/jobs/2013/02/28/maxine-waters-over-170-million-jobs-could-be-lost-due-sequestration
Thank goodness for the internet where all this bs can be seen for what it is….
Kent Mueller
2 months, 3 weeks agoMark, your alluding to checks in the mail and direct deposit is you way of saying SS will be affected and/or delayed somehow?
With only a 2.5% cut, that will only happen if this administration determines that SS is one of the first things to go.
And what you said is so colossally dumb from a liberal standpoint. The left says over and over that SS doesn’t affect the deficit. Yet, you must be saying that SS is a line item on the federal budget, not something funded by dedicated revenues. Otherwise, the sequester wouldn’t cause checks and direct deposits to be late.
Ol’ Mark got caught with his pants down once again.