By Fareed Zakaria
The debate over the sequester – the forced budget cuts that went into effect Friday – seems to have generated a lot of heat, but little light. So I have been studying the issue to try to fully understand what is going on.
The first question: how big are these cuts? Although they are not draconian, they are still significant. Why? For a start, you will have to find a year’s worth of savings in about seven or eight months, since that's all that's left of the year. But the big problem is that there are large parts of the budget that are either effectively exempt or where there are limits to how much can be cut. This means that the remaining parts of the budget are facing significant shrinkage.
It’s important to remember when thinking about government spending it has to rise every year even with no additional functions. The American population is growing, plus there is inflation of around 2 percent these days. There is room for discussion on how exactly factors like inflation should be evaluated, but some increase in spending is necessary if we are just to stay even. Of course, there are areas that should actually be cut or eliminated. But politicians rarely specify those and the truth is, the big money is in all the popular middle class programs (social security, Medicare, interest deduction, local tax deduction), most of which actually have relatively little waste and abuse in them.
The problem with the sequester as a tool for keeping spending down (and keep in mind it was designed to be so unpalatable that lawmakers would be forced to find better alternatives) is not the size of cuts, but their nature.
More from CNN: Ineffectual Washington blew it
Imagine you had two pools of spending – one is made up of things that you should be cut, the other is the stuff you shouldn’t be chopping. What we are doing with the sequester is cutting all the stuff we should not and leaving untouched all the stuff we should cut. The big problems for the U.S. federal budget are tied to entitlement spending – that’s the core of the long term debt problem the United States has. And yet that is virtually untouched in the sequester.
Instead we are cutting so-called discretionary spending, which will mean, for example, that our infrastructure is allowed to decay even more. We already have a terrible deficit in infrastructure spending. As I have noted before, a study of U.S. infrastructure by the American Society of Civil Engineers in 2009 found that $2.2 trillion needs to be spent over five years to bring this country’s roads, bridges, airports and associated systems up to grade.
In addition, the forced budget cuts also risk more cuts in science, technology and research – areas where the government is already at 30 and 40 year lows in investment. We are also going to cut back on education. We are cutting all these programs that are essential investments in future growth, yet we are doing little about entitlement spending, which is essentially current consumption.
From the point of view of setting this country on a smart, growth-orientated path, these cuts are a terrible strategy for the United States. We only need to look at what has been going on in Europe to see that implementing harsh spending cuts when an economy is still fragile, and at a time when the private sector is still in the process of deleveraging, is not a good idea – it only depresses the economy.
As Thomas E. Mann and Norman J. Ornstein, writing in the Washington Post, note, the annual budget deficit is actually projected to “fall by almost 50 percent in 2013 compared with the height of the recession. Reducing the deficit over the long term requires going where the money is – boosting economic growth, controlling health-care costs and increasing revenue to handle the expense of an aging population.”
Addressing Congress less than a week ago, Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke warned that the budget cuts risked slowing the U.S. economy. He suggested that the best solution would be not to do the cuts now, but to phase in larger cuts – presumably in entitlement programs – later.
“The Congress and the Administration should consider replacing the sharp, frontloaded spending cuts required by the sequestration with policies that reduce the federal deficit more gradually in the near term but more substantially in the longer run,” Bernanke told a key Senate committee. “Such an approach could lessen the near-term fiscal headwinds facing the recovery while more effectively addressing the longer-term imbalances in the federal budget.”
That Washington has been unable to act on such advice is a damning indictment of the way in which our government functions these days. Indeed, these cuts are less about immediate economic impact than they are about the stupidity of American government and the failures of the political system to put the country’s long-term interests first.
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I hope Bernanke's meetings are full of smiles in the coming months. 6.5% US unemployment is the goal. The sooner the better..
Ain't happenin' bro. Never see 6.5% again.
Oh yea, you will see 6.5% unemployment again–in yo dreams!
The gov't numbers are lies, unemployment rate close to 18%, how do I know, I work for labor and Industry. If people quit looking for work, or exhaust UC, then they are counted as working. Unemployment is only people on the books with valid claims. wake up America, don't let the politicians fool you!!!
If you can't find work in the time it takes for Unemployment to expire you aren't looking hard enough or you aren't willing to settle for something less than what you had before. There are a lot of jobs out there. I won't say there are tons, as we all know that isn't the case, but there is enough turnover where there are jobs out there for people. The issue is that people are too used to our old system and not willing to adjust their lifestyle to meet the new current reality. I know this is the case because I was there myself, but I settled for less and downsized my lifestyle and am happily working again. I'd take up two minimum wage jobs if I had to in order to pay the bills but unfortunately not everyone is willing to go that far.
Jasohans...sadly, you are telling only part of the story. I lost my job about two years ago, and I suspect partially due to age, I've not been able to get a job in my normal field. I was on unemployment until it expired, and have taken two part time minimum wage jobs. Unfortunately, they don't pay all the bills. Monthly housing expenses, insurance and two car payments are more than I bring home, and my wife is off work due to a hip replacement. So now we are facing selling or losing our cars, which means we have to shop for some means of transportation, but due to our low income, we're not going to be able to get a car loan, despite not having missed any payments on our current vehicles. We've exhausted our savings trying to keep current while I looked for work, so we don't have anything to fall back on.
The point is, technically, I am 'back to work' but at 1/5 the income we previously had. Our lifestyle has changed significantly, which is okay, but it's likely to change even more. If I don't have transportation to my two jobs, I'll lose them, and we live in a place where public transportation is very limited ... especially in hours of availability.
If something doesn't change, we may be homeless in another three or four months, and there is little we can do about it.
But we still show up as no longer on unemployment ... and therefore the Dems think we are okay. Further, we aren't the only ones in this situation ... but the Dems don't care about us, because we don't vote for them.
Bob's pretty much on target. I'm not sure of the exact numbers but the longer this goes the more unemployment numbers will fall if we maintain the jobs we've got in place now. So over time it looks like unemployment is decreasing. It is by the way the government is doing the math. If you actually count jobs lost versus jobs created or needing to be filled, we're still way off. Washington is good at creative accounting.
I am so happy, I am 40, speak 3 languages, have a masters and a great resume, am very hard working and finally, I am considered "employed" because I work part-timemaking just above minimum wage. Livin the dream!
The jobs are gone to low cost labor markets in China and India, to name two. Our retail stores are overly populated with clothing and appliances and hardware, toys, furniture etc. because we are bargain hunters. We are consumption driven and unconcerned about protecting US jobs with associated higher costs and prices. These jobs are gone forever. We can not compete in a global market anymore. We are parasites feeding off the hard work of the less fortunate.
If you are tired of our government working for the corporations (who fund their campaigns) and not the people sign up at represent.us and fight back!
It takes years to create millions of jobs and a decade or two to balance the budget. The problem is that no administration can commit itself to a long-term policy.
After 2 terms of a Democrat in the White House, comes the next one, perhaps a Republican, who will have another policy.
Unemployment will come down when we stop spending money foreign military bases, we stop building tanks and other useless weapons, we stop fighting useless wars that waste our tax dollars, we stop spending on wasteful programs and we stop stop spending tens or hundreds of billions chasing a few muslims when we are 1000's of times more likely to dye from an armed gang banger or reckless driver. We should divert some of this money to programs that actually help our country and economy.
there are a lot of other programs out there that should be cut, they always take from our Military, and our Military is our back bone. Do you remember 911?
Don't forget we need MAJOR cuts in Education, and HHS. Need to eliminate TSA completely and cut the CRAP out of Social security AND medicare!
rrock, we can tell you grew up a thumb sucker. Never been in the military, so you have no idea what it is to be a man. Just saying.
I have been in the military, and I can tell you we need cuts there. Why are we defending South Korea when they plow the money saved back into their infastructure and education? Why do we really need 11 super carriers out on the seas? 2600 f35's? do we really need all of them? Close down 90% of our extraterritorial bases and save billions. The only reason we have to pay funds into Social security is politicians took money from it and left IOU's. Now you want to butcher SS so you dont have to pay them back. I would rather do without the 2 carriers they are currently building than let congress steal from SS.
A good start would have been to eliminate the 5 Billion dollars given to the Oil companies!
Kenneth Whitehead: If your way of thinking is what passes for intelligence in the military, we might as well just eliminate the whole thing right now. And your way of thinking does not make a man. Just saying.
The military and veterans are always holding their hands out for more money and benefits. When a member of the military retires at 20 years, they receive a retirement package that has a present value of about $2 million that is completely unfunded. The country cannot afford to keep paying for lifetime retirement benefits starting around 39 to 42 years old and the best health insurance in the country. If has been over half a century since the military actually fought for anything that is close to rights for U.S. citizens.
You remind me of the kind of thinking that got us into this chasing muslim thing !wait till the come here and kill Americans on our soil before you do something about it!real smart!its that kind of libral thinking that got us where we are to day!
Too true. We need to cut the military to the bone. Close foreign bases, stop building aircraft carriers, cut the F-35 aircraft program and bring the troops home to stay.
When we had our first free trade agreements I told my friends that there basically a couple things that could happen. First was that low wage countries would come up to our wage level. Second was that ours would go down to theirs. Effectively, which do you think has occured? I say abrogate free trade agreements and go back to a tarif system.
Why hasn't anyone mentioned the "corporate welfare" and of course the "temporary" farmers bill passed by Pres. Roosevelt during the last great depression. We're still paying farmers not to farm their land. Those where both temporary bils that have become permanent and would save billions ol dollars a year. Then maybe we should look at the billions we give to our proven enemies, whereas Pakistan comes to mind right away. To think we're going to change a feudal society that they have in that part of the world is rediculious as everone from the Romans to the Russians and Americans have tried without result.
6.5% uc rate is Bernankes goal, so he can raise interest rates, more gov't lies, its like this, when a politician talks, all that comes out of there mouths are unconditional lies!!!!!
The basic problem with reducing spending is selfishness. Everyone is willing to gore someone else's sacred cow, but god forbid you should cast an appraising glance at their own.
With all the budget problems why do we need to give Egypt the $250 million in aid that Kerry just promised? I for one do not want my tax dollars being spent in any country except ours. Cut Social Security for our seniors but how many taxpayers will it take to pay for this economic aid to Egypt? Disgusting!
They are taking 20% of federal employees money for this stupid thing but then turn around and give Egypt 250 million...which is about what they will get from the federal employees...so in other words..we are losing money so Egypt can have it. Nice
Stop them from spending our money. Only hope.
The only way you'll see 6.5% unemployment anytime soon will be for the labor force to shrink down to around 60%. It certainly won't be due to job creation.
Cuts in government funding will only increase unemployment, by cutting government employment, government contractor employment and government supplier employment. It will cut the deficit some, but taxes paid may also go down.
This will happen definitely if the republicans in th congress cooperate in passing the expenditure bills and leave the obstructionist policies. Things are alrady happening....spending is down by almost 30% bringing down the deficit,the debt position also improving,growth has increased and jobs are being created albeit slowly, wealth of the stockholders has been restored and increased further and the middle class are seeing some hope,and the only negative is the poor are still at the mercy of the well to-do.
I want to talk about Syria. You all think you know soooooo much. President Assad and his father are not my heros, but they maintained peace and prosperity in Syria for MANY YEARS. Now that the dissidents want to throw them out why should we support them. It is very tragic all the people who have been killed, but how many more will be killed if the are thrown out–just look at Iraq, all of the rest of the so called "Arab Spring". There are lots of people in the USA who would like to throw out Obama–should we give them support? Don't tell me it is different because it is not different. War/force is never the answer. Assad has always been willing to talk–give hime a chance. Don't blame him for the violence as he did not start it. Maybe you don't like him, and maybe I don't either, but let's stop the US supported violence. I am a US citizen, but I do not support the policy right now.
Obama allows protests dude...
yes, we should be able to Obama out of the office...
Assad didnt start it? Please, during Arab spring we saw Syrian troops firing on peaceful protesters LIVE on TV. There were large scale peaceful protests against his totalitarian rule, he paniced and sent in the army. he is ENTIRELY to blame for everything that happened.
Since sequestration is here it looks like we will have to deal with it. Here is my proposal...
Since violent video games are so effective at training psychopaths and sociopaths to fire a firearm, let's just give our police academies and military boot camps Xbox 360's. They can be trained how to fire a handgun, rifle, and or carbine, how to throw hand grenades, flash bangs, smoke grenades, and they can learn tactics from them.
We will just have to watch them closely to make sure the games don't turn them into cold blooded killers, with no remorse, no sense of right and wrong, and no soul, as is happening to our kids all over the country.
And all while cutting costs for the American people. See? Problem easily solved.
So, even though we have REAL issues on our hands, you want to focus on video games as if you have some sort of chip on your shoulder for people who play them. Not everyone who likes to destroy animated characters wants to run around killing human beings, idiot.
Seriously, Dude, it's called sarcasm & satire. You might want to expand your sense of understanding & snark.
bananaspy, yknot has a chip alright, but it's not on his shoulder. It's implanted in his brain.
Right yknot, except some of those games sell 5 million copies a piece and we don't have 5 million school shootings every year, grow a pair and stop acting like you are part of the solution. Move to Canada, worthless hippie.
so in your logic the nra and right wings are worthless hippies is this all hippies or just the worthless ones? steve jobs was a hippie bet hes worhtless oh and the guy who started this internet that your calling worthless hippies apparently you dont get sarcasm but in this countries state of affairs ie fracking ruining our water and causing earthquakes canada may not look so bad in 100 or less years your a fool
Text carries no tone, so maybe you should be more up front about the funny guy routine...Try to actual be funny next time too.
Wow ... too bad these kids have access to guns!
What are these cuts, about 2.5% of the Federal Budget. So this is a nightmare?
Most business have slashed their spending to become profitable again by more then 10% to 20%.
Yes, it stinks that jobs will be lost, but let's face it, governement jobs are hardly the most efficient jobs out there. If the governement can't become 2.5% more efficient then they are all the id**ts that we think they are now.
You obviously just didn't read the article did you?? It's the nature of the cuts and the fact they they are stupid and unwise. It would be OK to cut certain areas and functions BUT not the ones the repubs have targeted. This isn't about smart cutting and reducing the debt, IT'S ABOUT POLITICS AND INFLICTING PAIN UPON THE ADMINISTRATION. IF THE LITTLE PEOPE GET INTHE WAY THEN THAT'S TOO BAD!!!
"It's the nature of the cuts and the fact they they are stupid and unwise. It would be OK to cut certain areas and functions BUT not the ones the repubs have targeted.". Fact is that neither side has any interest in cutting THEIR pet projects – GOP – military, Dems – Social programs. Since neither side will budge from their unwillingness to cut their unaffordable favorites, the deficit will continue to spiral out of control.
The sequester is GREAT because it makes both parties swallow something that they don't want. It's a beautiful thing for those of us who accept and acknowledge that, by expecting a divided Congress to identify specific areas to cut and then agree to actually cut the spending in that area – will never happen.
The only unfortunate part of the sequester is that it's nowhere near large enough.
It is the administration inflicting pain where they want to, man quit drinking kool-aid
Yes, I read the article. In short, the GOP gave up cuts to defense, which they hate to do, but really needs to be done. All the other cuts are on the Dems.
If you don't like it why did you vote for Obama. His second term agenda has nothing to do with fixing the economy. You might want to re-read his State of the Union address. If Obama really gave a c**p about the middle class he would have made the economy his top prioity and worked with the House and Senate, but he has his on agenda which is to feed the welfare state and keep people dependent on the Federal Gov't so that he can grow us into a socialist state. Which is what he thinks his people want and need because they either don't want to work or don't have the will power to make themselves work to get ahead. Of course, it's hard to work to get ahead when Obama's agenda is totally anti-business.
If you had ever worked for... or around the government you would know that there is fraud, waste, abuse and overall inefficiency in EVERY AREA of the government. The problem isn't that they are cutting in the WRONG areas. The problem is that they aren't cutting NEARLY ENOUGH in ALL of the areas.
The administration inflicted it's own pain. They were the one suggesting the sequester hoping they could twist people's arms to avoid it afterwards by swaying public opinion. They were the ones that shoved Obamacare down everyone's throat without bilateral support. They forced those who pledged not to raises taxes to raise tax rates instead of closing loopholes which would have gotten the same revenue without having those people go back on their pledges.He got his tax rates on those with income over $400k and in Obamacare and he still wants more. This is what you get when you keep shoving things down people's throats once in a while they throw it back up in your face. Perhaps he should try doing what he promised to do which is to build consensus. I have never seen our country more divided. He built that!
Reminder, this was 0bama's idea, his bill, his responsibility. The Repubs passed several budgets in the House. Harry never took them to the floor for a vote in the Senate.
I think across the board cuts is a MOVE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. However, even with the sequester cuts of $85 billion across the board, the government still will spend MORE in 2013 than 2102. So how exactly is this a CUT?
Tom, please remember the facts. These cuts were Obama's deal to get the debt increase he needed to fund the government last year! . It was HIS panel that failed to get a concensus, and it was his idea in the first place. How can anyone keep blaming the Republicans for what has come to pass. I see no compromise on the part of the President. It is his way or no way...well...he was offered the flexibility to re-arrainge the cuts and didn't WANT that responsibility...and where, pray tell, is a budget from the President? We haven't seen one of them in FOUR years. The President is failing "Government Leadership 101". Just my opinion...
Every office in every department of of our Govt. has a bloated budget buying items and funding programs that are of absolutely no use to the American people. Congress (democrat & republican) appropriates the money every year for a bunch of useless hogwash. Amazingly we continue to re-elect a vast majority of them. We, the voters, are at fault for much of this. You can't expect politically appointed employees to cut the budget on their own...they need our help.
You obviously just didn't read the article did you?
Actually, I skimmed it, looking for the names with websites that just MIGHT be written by real economists and journalists who don't have a pig in this trough. CNN has neither.
The Republicans offered to give Obama the flexibility to make cuts where appropriate but he didn't want that so we now have across the board cuts. Quit blaming the Republicans and put the blame where it is deserved. Mr. Obama who recommended sequestration and Mr. Obama who didn't want the authority to choose where cuts were made. Time to live within our means.
It is only a small deal if it does not directly affect YOUR family. Mine happens to be one of the families facing a layoff. More layoffs means the government will be shelling out more in unemployment and other low income bennys, and other businessess suffer due to not enough money being spent on other things. Don't you know how fragile this economy is right now? It will trlckle down and affect everyone!
According to Lord Obama, the economy is doing just great. Besides Taxpayers are tired of paying everyone elses way, period.
The President and most Dems poo-poo the notion that raising taxes wouldn't have a "trickle down effect" at all. Now, all of a sudden, the sequester will? Makes sense. NOT.
Welcome to the private sector world of continuous layoffs and terminations due to an ineffectual, tax till you bleed, government. We're bleeding badly. I hope you feel the pain as the rest of us.
Mommy, what's a taxpayer?
it s funny how when a democrat is in office all the cuts have to be made truth is since 1960. President Reagan raised the debt ceiling the more times than any other President. He raised it 18 times, for a 67% increase.
President Obama “doesn’t even compare” to Reagan’s record, he has raised the debt ceiling 8 times.
Republicans have raised the debt ceiling 49 times since 1960, while Democrats have only raised it 32 times. The debt ceiling has been raised 83 times since 1960.
My state is losing over $600,000 in food aid for seniors: Meals on wheels, etc. It could cost some of them their lives.
But what the heck. It's only a few old people. Right? Maybe they should just tighten their belts a little. After all, they are part of the 47% "moocher" class.
There would be more charitable funds if the government hadn't already confiscated them.............
The fact that Meals on Wheels is in your opinion more important than our preparedness for an attack and ability to defend ourselves just shows how blissfully ignorant most of America is to what is happening around the world. I don't want to leave grandma hungry but the life of one 80 year old does not equate to the safety of millions, it just doesn't. These Social programs have nothing to do with the responsibilities of our Government and it has become the drag on our nation. This is why tax exemptions and deductions are so important, so that individuals can give back to their local community through privately funded organizations that are legitimate and run well rather than through handout programs that are filled with underperforming employees that are usually the bottom of the barrel.
I'm not trying to be mean, just rational, and if you have a bleeding heart you can't make the best decision for the group... Just look at horror flicks, the guy that goes back for the old people or wounded one always dies!
That is their plan on ssving Medicare and SSN, gotta read between those lines. Also cut enough funds to the "cripples" and they will die off or be put out of sight. Hmmmmmmm .doesnt sound like a government for the people byt the people at all.
to Tom Legare:
Fareed makes the comment "The problem with the sequester as a tool for keeping spending down (and keep in mind it was designed to be so unpalatable that lawmakers would be forced to find better alternatives) "
The House repubs passed two bills to come up with a better plan to deal with the sequester. The Dems i9n the senate and the Obama White house have come forward with ZERO legislation indicating their priorities for the sequestration cuts or even a budget for that matter.
Here we are again, 25 days from now we are going to face a new deadline. The end of the last "Contiuing Resolution" in leiu of a proper budget.
This is NOT President Obama's idea nor are the components of it. Congress is responsible for the BUDGET – the House specifically is responsible for the Budget. Ever heard of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO)? They take the budget proposals from the House and analyze the math, the economic soundness, and the effect on the economy. The Paul Ryan budget FAILED the CBO audit because it destroyed every government agency and program and would not balance the budget for 40 years! The Senate Democrats, in frustration, came up with a balanced approach including both spending cuts and tax increases (closing loopholes for corporations and ending billions in subsidies to oil companies, for one). Know what REALLY happened to the Senate suggested budget – the Republicans FILIBUSTERED it just like all the other 386 filibusters Republicans have used to BLOCK ALL LEGISLATION for jobs, economic recovery, infrastructure, judicial nominations, veteran benefits expansions for returning vets and on and on.
Boehner is a failed leader, He wrote the contents of what would be in this sequester if he and his Republican House extremists could not come up with a budget in 16 months times. House Republicans have not worked on one single day in 16 months so the sequester contents now take effect.
The President has NO power to create a budget, choose what gets cut or what gets increased. It comes from CONGRESS and he either signs it or vetos it. Congress has sent NOTHING to President Obama in years.
This whole financial mess and constant financial crisises are the SOLE responsiblity of the HOUSE REPUBLICANS.
Learn how our government works before you blame the wrong Party. Republicans want badly to try to pull the President into this – but this is ALL THEIR DOING.... or total lack of work to accomplish anything.
While it is true that the cuts amount to 2.5% of the total federal budget, that is misleading because the cuts do not affect the largest slices of the bugetary pie. The cuts represent about 10% for the areas of discretionary spending affected, and must be made within 7 months or so. Still not a hugh figure, but, right or wrong, the programs will feel it.
This whole 7 month problem to implement the cuts issue wouldn't exist if two things had not happened. 1.) the White house told the government not to plan for sequester or announce what the impacts would be in the Sept/October timeframe last year (at the same time telling defense contractors not to send out WARN notices. 2.) If they hadn't kicked the can from christmas to march, they'd have had 3 more months to work the problem. That extension was granted at the request of the white house, something they were very proud about and bragged about afterward.
By preventing agencies to plan, they prevented them from determining what the proper burn rate on their resource plans was. As a result, many groups burned too fast and now will have excessive pain dealing with the cuts.
Guess who is responsible for both of those items?
Hey Darryl, I work for the Federal Aviation Administration. We are working hard on becoming more efficient and running like civilian business does. However, it is very difficult to reconcile safety of flight with the bottom line of dollars. We have not ordered many spare parts for several months now. We order only what we absolutely need. You may get impacted at some time by one of our facilities not working because we are waiting on parts. We have other facilities that are NOT being restored because of the severe cut backs in parts budgets. Our techs are doing the best they can to keep the equipment and services on line. It is important to note, most GOV employees have not had a raise for 3 years. In 1 month, most of us will start taking furloughs. Personally, I will take 88 hours this year. The sequester will harm us in ways that will take years to bring back to the standard that you and other tax payers deserve AND expect.
So lighten up on the employees of the govt. This is a political problem! Call or write your congressman and ask why we have not had a budget for more then 3 years.
Another display of utter stupidity, Kerry announces $250 million to be given to Egypt. They really have it figured out in this administration.
These cuts are minuscule when you first figure that they represent only about 2.5% of the total federal budget, and represent only a 10% reduction in the growth most of the targeted departments have seen under Obama's watch. So all of these areas of government have seen about 10 time the growth these cuts will implement prior to last Friday. The cuts are also implemented over time, so even that small 2.5% of the budget is not cut all at once. Also keep in mind that these are not really cuts at all. These are reductions in planned spending growth. So spending still actually goes up with these so-called "cuts". It just doesn't go up as much. No government department or agency is actually seeing any reduction in their budget.
Really? Then maybe you can explain to me why I had to pink-slip 11 people in the past 3 weeks because of our budget being cut.
That is 11 less that we have to pay for, thanks for helping the US Taxpayer.
My company lays people off all the time and we're a growing organization! its called the private sector... Sucks that its finally coming down the pipe for you guys on the public side but we've been doing this for years. You need to realize that these people now have an opportunity to further their careers by using the experiences they had with you to get them a better package in an organization that can utilize all they have to offer rather than being the status quo. People get laid off, then work to get re-hired, thats the beauty of Capitalism.
Jack, he's referring to job cuts....Maybe if you paid attention in school, you would realize that those 11 individuals are going to be added to the welfare and unemployment lines. NOT taken off of them.
perhaps you can provide some verifiable facts. Otherwise your just blowing smoke.
These are real cuts. NIH and NASA will have increased costs and considerably less money. Is research that benefits in the long run a smart place to cut? It's penny wise and pound foolish.
Those Civil Service workers furloughed are each facing a 23% cut in their pay – never to be returned. Many are veterans who chose to stay in service to our country because their skill sets match the needs of the Defense Department. Our National Defense readiness will severely suffer as they are removed from their jobs. They perform honorably, offer unique skills, and are dedicated to America. The Tea Party right-wingers "decided" these people need to be punished with devastating cuts to their family's income – they represent that "bad government" the extremists hate. Many Civil Servants will lose their homes, will have their savings depleted, and their kids won't be going to college. Make no mistake – they will remember the Republican Party in 2014 and beyond.
Fewer government workers is NEVER a bad thing.
We need to furlough 90% of the non-military federal workforce.
Got an axe to grind there?
The sequestration was Obama's idea, he proposed it, defended it, and threatened to veto ways around it. Republicans tried to give him a way to change where the cuts went to, he rejected it.
So if you're blaming Republicans but not Obama, you're just being a partisan hack and worthy of being ignored.
Trust me, I will remember...
Steve Lyons: We need to furlough 90% of the military. I don't know why conservatives are such cowards that they think we need to be able to dominate and force our will on every country on this planet. Get a clue. The U.S. intruding in the affairs of other countries is what makes us a target.
Obama promised the "Peace Savings" we would see when the wars were winding down and you all loved him for it. Now they are cutting some military workers in the motor pools as well as contractors and you are all flipping out about it. You voted for him to save money in the military. How else did you think this was going to happen?
TSB8C, Do you manage a federal budget? Where have you got your facts? I suspect you really don't know and are reguritating something you have heard on TV. I do manage a fed budget and they have been drastically reduced. Please do not complain when you are impacted by some service from the govt. that was reduced. We begin furloughing employees later this month due to the budget cuts.
another paid political ad – opps I mean opinion.
Farred loses credibility almost from the start when he writes "spending it has to rise even with no additional functions". No Fareed – it doesn't have to rise – that is the whole point. When you have a budget that has grown so big & includes wasteful & unnecessary expenses, the budget can be reduced – not increased. Eventually you can use your logic, but not until waste is eliminated. Let's start with the 900 trilion already identified by independent consumer groups. Then in a few years we can consider your theory. Until then, grow some & quit being a mouthpiece of the Obama Admin.
uncdig before lobbing insults and attacking one's credibility, it may prove helpful to know the difference between "billions" and "trillions". Loudly proclaiming that the federal goverment can start by cutting $900 "trillion" out of a $3.8 trillion budget makes you lose credibility just as fast as you claim it does Fareed.
Give it a rest. His premise is still sound. The author pretty much poisoned the well by telling the reader "spending it has to rise even with no additional functions" and he correctly points out "No Fareed – it doesn't have to rise – that is the whole point.".
Yes, spending does have to rise without additional services. His point is that the population in the US is growing and we have a 2% rate of inflation. If an agency is given $5 billion one year, and there is 2% inflation, and the agency is again given $5 billion the next year, they are getting the same number of dollars, but it is worth less than the year before. Also, if there are more people in the country, that means that an agency providing the same services for the same price per capita will spend more. These are not controversial topics. I don't see how there can be much disagreement about that.
The current inflation rate is 0%. Per the BLS website. Notice Zakaria didn't provide any source for his off the cuff statement. (probably because he stole it from somewhere else, like before)
Good point, N, though I think it's more complicated than that. I also looked on the BLS website at the most recent (January 2013) CPI Detailed Report. There is a graph showing changes in the rate of inflation between 2003 and 2013. The rate fluctuates over time with a peak of about 5.5% and a lowest point of about -2%. The average over the last ten years is around 2.5% inflation, and inflation is 1.6% over the last 12 months. It makes more sense to look at trends, rather than a snapshot. A 2% inflation rate may be overstating the current 12 month average, but not by that much.
How much of this crap can we take? First it was the loan limit, then the 'fiscal cliff', and now this shyte. I'm sure its just
the Republicans stalling to win their stock market index bets, because we all know the indices sink when there's stuff like this about. Greedy Republicans. They make me spew. And I'm in Australia and I am so sick of these Republican stallers. They didn't even win the election. They should pull their heads in and give Obama a chance. If Obama stuffs up then kick him out. With 1.whatever trillions in debt, how much damage can he do?
It was all the same thing. If the GOP hadn't taken the government hostage with their posturing over the debt limit (raised 8 times under W), the neither th "fiscal cliff' nor this sequester mess would have ever happened
And the Democrats fought every raise. Even Obama said in 08 adding 4.5 trillion to the debt is unpatriotic. in 2006 he said that raising the debt ceiling was a terrible thing to do. Now he is upset that he has added more than4.5 trillion and is being called on it. He is also upset that he cant get the debt ceiling raised, after he said that we would fail if we had to. How soon you libtards forget.
so your solution is SPEND, SPEND, SPEND.
Please take a little time and add up the entire net worth of the all the billionaires and millionaires in the USA (not income, net worth) and tell us what that number adds up to. Then tell us if it will cover 2012's deficit? The answer is NO. The problem is the spending.
Even with this sequester the federal Government is spending more money in 2013 than in 2012, how is this a cut?
I'd like to see government spending cut even more. If you look at what Bill Clinton was spending in his peak budget (~ $2.1 Trillion) and divide that into today's projected budget ($3.7 Trillion) you find that the government has grown by 76%. Seems kinda excessive to me.
If across the board cuts is the only cuts we can get these days, then I say so be it.
The government at all levels seems pretty GREEDY these days. Let's remind them that THEY WORK FOR US.
This idea came from Obama. Great leadership don't you think. If i can't get my way, inflict as much pain to force my opposition to back down. True leaders find away to get it done without collateral damage.
I assume then you would not consider Lincoln a great President since while putting an end to slavery the collateral damage was the greatest loss of American lives in History.
I can't believe half of the people in the country were not smart enough to vote for Romney after 4 years of Obama's crap, and already proving that he has no clue what he is doing. Usually if you get a CEO that doesn't do his job and help a company at all you fire them (yahoo last year is a good example). I just hope the people that voted for him are the ones losing thier jobs, not the smart ones that voted Republican.
No# the election was stolen!Ist fact In ohio were everybody knew that there were districts of die hard republicans romni did not get even 1 vote!when I ask people dem and erpublican alike they tell me they did not vote for Obumma!Fact 2# in ohio and florida the voting machines even when some one marked Romnis when the pushed vote the machine indcated thet tha vote was for obumma! Formal complaints were made about this !so its on record about this problem!Num#3 even when this was disscussed romnie did not contest the votes.This election was already decided who would win! Romnis just made it look like he was running!Had no intention to win!
If you're in Australia, what do you mean "how much more can WE take"? Try this: to reduce your debt, go get a few more credit cards, tell your wife to start spending more AND quit her job. When she asks for more money, just go take out another loan. When the bank asks for more collateral, tell them to get out of your way so you can fix things. You'll be out of debt in no time!
I'm really disgusted with Congress – Repulsicans in particular. From Day 1 in 2008 they have denied, obstructed and just plain sat on their hands to avoid working with this president. Now they're fine watching regular folk get squeezed and our country's international reputation sink even lower. And for what? so the country club set doesn't have to pay a little more in taxes? Please, please, please hold the Repulsicans accountable in 2014!
Obama got a tax rate increase with no cuts last month. Now he wants more taxes with still no cuts. The recent cuts are not real cuts. The government still gets more. It is a cut in the increase. CBO states the government will get record revenue in 2013. We pay enough taxes, cut spending.
Taxes are at their lowest point in decades. The only increase was on families earning more than $400,000 a year. And the greedy 1%s whose backside you kiss would only agree to that if the temporary payroll tax "vacation" was allowed to expire.
I agree with you completely!!!!!!!! The GOP is completely insane. And blind and deaf. I certainly do, and will in the future, hold them accountable.
We all know you would not support the GOP anyway, so that is a meaningless threat.
You libs can't tie your shoes unless you cheat......most folks don't agree with your views......you will see that in 2014!
Yeah, I am sure if your household brings in $10,000.00 a month and you are spending $20,000.00 a month you are going to keep borrowing 10K each month instead of cutting expenses.
No mention of the intransigent and divisive President in your analysis? The buck stops with some Presidents, but apparently not with this one. Can we get someone else in there who can "unite the clans"? Wake up libs......your guy is not getting the job done!
Are you just babbling to hear your head rattle! The liberals ruled the house and senate when Obama was elected in 2008 and what good did they do then? Nothing! Run up trillions in more debt. That's what liberals do best. Please do you home work before you start.
Where in Hades were you cretins when Georgie Boy and the Band (gop)_ wanted mo money mo money mo money to kill A-rabs? Corporations get rich off war and reconstruction. Re read your history. NOT A SINGLE ONE OF YOU GAVE A FART WHEN THE MONEY WENT THERE. If you were against it, YOU WERE UNPATRIOTIC and should be looked at for treason (Mr. Ashcroft said as much). You were all for spending any money we had and more EXPANDING government to WATCH AND WATCH OVER US. You tanked the economy and blamed the next man up on deck. So dont give me that "libs" crap. There arent any libs or repuptards....ONLY THOSE WITH IT AND THOSE WITHOUT IT. So we can stop blaming the left and right. We should blame who bought candidates and those who chose to not vote.
what a moron! bush never ran up a deficate any where near Obuma!get your libral head out of obummas back side and know your facts before blamming bush!the dems had the house and senate when obumma took over and did nothing but put us in more debt,Now the republicans are the bad guys because they want to stop the spending spree!
Shame on the Feds and Ben Bernanke and the central banker boys for stealing the old retired peoples money savings. Your political corporate industrial aristocratic dynasty are nothing but a bunch of low life thieves. Stealing from old people who have worked and saved their whole life only to be ripped off by you guys to support your living large gluttenous GREED I hope and pray you all burn in hell
Blah, blah, blah. I retired July 2012 and doing fine. Nobody stole anything from me. Take some responsibility for yourself and stop
whining.
Eagle wants every one to know that he retired and he is doing fine. Spoken like a true republican. Selfish me me me Eagle. His brain is too small to see the bigger picture
no Clem, he is saying he is taking care of his priorities...his family and himself. It is not by job to take care of you lazy, good for nothing liberals in the welfare line.
Ok clem kadiddle, You think Eagle is "Selfish" for being smart, independant and self sufficient in his retirement. You think he doesn't deserve his money that he earned and invested so he would not have to rely on the rest of us for his retirement is a bad thing????? Too many Americans are falling for the Dems propaganda that individuals who are wealthy got it because someone else didn't or the Govt was responsable.
G*d help us if we all have to depend on the Govt to provide for all to us cradle to grave.....SEE EUROPE
I am tired of people like Eagle implying that only people like himself worked for a living and had the foresight to retire quite comfortable. Everyone else is just a bunch of leeches. Did you ever look around and find that you were working beside people who were Democrats? I have a hunch you were among those who enjoyed the payroll tax cap so that you paid a lesser percentage of your income in payroll taxes than the rest of us. I image you also claim you lived within your means while taking out loans to buy a home and car and other sundry items. Gee, that's what most people do because they don't make enough to pay cash for high tickets items. Now I suppose Eagle also made enough that he had a little left over to invest unlike so many people who barely make enough to get by. It just could be that Eagle also inherited some tax free money too unlike a lot of people who never inherit a dime.
Sometimes all these high-minded people are just a little too much to stomach. Look at your own house first before you smuggly point fingers at other hard working people. Sure I'm guessing on a lot of the aforementioned but two bits at least a goodly share of it applies.
Copeid from the White House Budget Forecast:
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Outlays ....................................................... 3,603 3,796 3,803 3,883 4,060 4,329 4,532 4,728 5,004 5,262 5,537 5,820
See any spending reductions? Nope. This is all smoke and mirrors. They make a budget with 8% annual increases, then cut it and say they cut the budget. They are not cutting anything. The are just cutting their wish list.
yea we heard ya ! you are blind and dumb and you will let the blind lead you blind and dumb into financial ruin!yep heard you loud and clear!
The stupidity and pettiness of our government leaves me speechless. In particular, the GOP....didn't they hear a word we said in November?????
Who is "we"? 51% of low information voters elected this guy. 49% say government gets enough of our money. CBO says government revenue will be record setting in 2013. Obama gets enough to spend. He was given stimulus bills where he guaranteed a 5.7% unemployment rate by July 2012. How's that working for you?
The voters also chose a GOP majority in the House. The President only thinks he is a dictator. He does not get everything he wants.
No the voters did not elect a GOP house. The Dems actually got more votes but the Rethugs gerrymandered their way into a majority by winning where they would get the electoral college
amazing that you or i have to set a budget and keep it... yet the "new normal" is... WHAT? we have to keep a federal budget? WHAT? we have to make cuts and people lose their jobs? WHAT? the question is what is wrong with you folks? we are over 15 TRILLION IN DEBT!!!! and you want to whine about forced cuts! it is better than cuts at all. this nation deserves to go done the tubes with the "fantasy generation" now firmly in control of the helm... we are headed straight towards the iceberg and all they can do is now whine that the cuts are costing people jobs... LOL! oh really... so you expect this to be painless for all involved... aint goin to happen... many people will lose their jobs when the ship sinks.
He's right – these cuts are a damning indictment on Washington. If cutting 2.5% of federal spending is such a catastrophe Washington has gotten us in a mess that will surely bankrupt us. Given that spending has grown by 40% since 2007 ($1.7 TRILLION), if we can't cut 5% of the GROWTH in spending (since 2007) getting ANY spending cuts to control our debt is hopeless. Cut spending immediately to 2007 levels THEN lets talk about getting the debt under control. Then I'll believe Obama and the Democrats are really serious about the national debt.
PK
The stupidity and pettiness of our government leaves me speechless. In particular, the GOP....didn't they hear a word we said in November?????
Yes they did. They saw that Obama's less than 2% 'mandate' means that 49% of Americans do care about the national debt and want spending cuts.
The Republicans should support a tax increase, that is a revenue increase and it should come from the 14-23 million unemployed or under employed American citizen who have been out of work for 1-3 years now. While Obama plays golf, working night and day for the unemployed, the Republican should push for less Gov. intervention and regulations to become more business friendly and" FAIR to Business" What would our tax revenues look like with 12 million more people paying in instead of taking out?
The cuts should have started at the beginning of the fiscal year on last October 1st. But that would have jeapordized Obama's reelection.
The only way to stop the madness in DC is vote them all out. That is my plan. They are all big baby's and it is a shame that we tolerate these fools to run our country.
Thank you, Sholland. Yes we do need to vote all these right-wing fanatics out of office but the people are too dumb to do so, unfortunately!
Just like the left wingnuts who voted do nothing Obama.
How about HSBC Bank "Money Laundering Operations" around the world?.
Yes these very minor cuts, we need much larger and broader cuts, are an indictment of Congress.
Washington is FLEECING the American people. They refuse to cut BIG GOVERNMENT SPENDING, instead opting to steal our savings any way they can. Here we are struggling in debt up to our eyeballs and Kerry is giving Egypt 190 million dollars. What kind of non sense is that. These recycled career politicians are still doing business as usual. They just don't get it. This has to STOP. We need a mass revolution to get Washington under control. When will the United States have our American Spring.
It is not like the Civil Engineers don't have an iron in the fire concerning infrastructure. Build or fix and who do you need...OH! A civil engineer.
If the republicans did as you say !You would then blame them for letting it happen! and obumma and you would still blame the republicans for everything!so no matter what they do they cannot win!
All right Washington Repubs listen up. If you really think (which I doubt) that President Obama's ideas are so wrong along with the obvious majority of the public in regards to the fair share doctrine.
I have just the solution for you Repubs, let the president have his way with the economy and just think if he is wrong, the Dem's will be paying for his decisions for a slew of elections to come. If he is wrong it will highlight just how right the Repubs are and hey screw the public opinion who agrees in the fair share doctrine and leveling the playing field for the middle class and the poor. Of course never mind that the US people obviously wanted a change after voting in President Obama.
But if he is right and his methods work ( which I suspect is your real reason for being so uncooperative ), this country actually might see unprecedented growth.
Obviously something is working with the high performances by the stock markets, fewer unemployment claims, public spending increasing, and of course no self respecting Repub wants the credit to go to a Dem president.
Personally I believe the President is a Statesman who truly cares about this country and has no real personal agenda at stake, unlike some of the wealthy Repubs who might have to pry their cold hands off their piles of money and pay their fair share both in tax increases and God forbid the closing of the tax loopholes that benefit only the wealth.
The Ancient One
Problem is we can't afford his FAILED policies anymore. We need to do something to stop this railroading and "my way or the highway" mentality. Typical cultural crap seen in all the welfare states. Give me, give me, give me or I'll run home and tell. All dems need to grow a pair, suck it, and try and get a job (I know it's hard in a socialist state that we have become) and quit taking from the hard working Americans who are trying to eatch out a living for our families, not yours.
Sorry Ancient One, I totally agree with Houston's comment.
Obama's mentality to increase taxes as a solution of the problem will hurt the economy. The problem is not the lack of tax revenue, but the out-of-control spending. Currently the Federal government spending is 22 percent of the country's GNP when – historically – it is typically around 18 percent.
The IMMEDIATE way out of the sequestering is to rearrange the spending cuts so it is not so painful. The task of addressing the tax reform can be done afterwards. Obama needs to drop the "increase taxes" mantra at this time. Heck, the taxes were raised on the rich this year already.
Perhaps Obama should have been negotiating instead of vacationing in Hawaii and golfing with Tiger Woods. Clearly he didn't want to make a deal......This was HIS idea--he is culpable regardless of what the liberal media says.
In the end you will curse the new world order/global economy and the corporate industrialist and their political counter parts who hoisted this upon us. You will be sorry for not maintaining our soverignity as a nation and being fiscally responsible. It's not protectionisn or isolationism as these promoters of the NWO call it. It is being wise, to remain independent and strong. It is playing out before your eyes. Rome is burning and Washington partys on.
Not of DC after all the GOP offered twice a way out but the DEMS rejected them twice. The Dems in the Senate a broken the law for the last 4 years by refusing to pass a budget. Obama has done nothing but spend and raise taxes and waste money . The idea of sequester was Obama;s he in insisted on it and then broke the promises he made to get it. SO CNN can lie for the dems all it wants to. Anyone following the truth and the real events of what happened know all of this is on the DEMS and Obama. I warned everyone what would happen if they elected the dems back into power. Now America will get what it deserves for being so incredibly stupid.
2.5% is not going to kill anyone. If you lost your job due to it then by all means take some responsibility for yourself and head to N. Dalkota or S.E. Montana and get a Job in the Oil Fields of the Bakken. You will be producing something the country needs and at the same time be contributing to it not "sucking off the labors of others". It is not the Government's (i.e your neighbors) responsibility to make your life nicer, easier, or even better!!! THAT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY, That IS TRUE FREEDOM PERIOD!!!
Yes, a cancer researcher could try to get a job helping to drill oil, but it would be much better for the country and the economy if he continued his research.
Bobby, the chances of a good cancer researcher being let go are zero. It will be the file clerks posing as "managers" and other lower skill functionary positions that will be furloughed, if at all. I love it when folks try to say "the most educated, vital people will be gone!!!" No, it never works like this.... vital assets will always be kept.
I have a relative who works for the government (he is not a cancer researcher).... and he was notified of the furlough possibility – getting one day off a week unpaid.... know what he and his colleagues are doing? They are planning their 3 day weekends for the next few months and loving the chance to get more time off to work on home projects and other things. Only a few older workers bemoaning it because they have nothing to do outside or work.....
is that what MSNBC abd CNN told you Bobby?
Miguel, you do not understand how research works. If the lead researcher does not get a grant he has to let go people working for him. He does not have clerks working for him but people at the bench. So, yes PhD workers are going to lose their jobs.
Aaron, scientists don't get their news about science from CNN, NBC or FOX.
You are wrong! first of all there is a cure for cancer but our gov and FDA will not let it in the USA. because if this was allowed all the cancer reserchers would no longer be needed!I have a friend who was told she had 6 month to kive with no cure! she went to siuth America and took their medicine and 7 years later she is stil cancer free!
One line item change: No across the board cuts can take place unless our legislators also make equivalent cuts to their salaries, operating and expense accounts,
Here's a wild idea, recall every Congressman, Senator, the President and Vice President. Educate the populace so they actually elect people that will work together for the benefit of the common people. It used to work. We can do it again.
Why is the media so reluctant to say that OBAMA's INSISTANCE on raising taxes for a "select" group of people is the problem? The man simply wants more money to waste on HIS ideas. He will become known as a major cause of the failure of our great country to grow during this period.
Because the media knows better that to make a ridiculously partisan statement like that. Go back to Fox if you want to be pandered to.
Try again, the flood of media outlets – far outnumbering the Fox type stations have sold whatever vestiges of "Jounalistic Integrity", if there ever was such a thing, when they gave Obama a free pass on nearly everything, ask mostly softball questions, edit his and Michelles interviews to cut out the embarassing parts and give the overt impression of adulation and support in all things Obama.... denial on this is not an option, there is such a repository of TV footage showing this, that decades from now – critical analysis will show what some have called "slobbering propaganda" and what it did for the media industry and politics – and see that Obama was basically given kid glove treatment during his presidency.
The public by and large sees this and it is why in polling that while 56% get their news from TV, only 6% trust the outlets and journalists to be unbiased.
Yes, this medium (CNN) is so unbiased that they actually have their Chief White House correspndent ask the president why he doesn't kidnap congresional leaders and hold them hostage in a room until he gets what he wants. And she was serious. That's not partisan or anything.
yea right !!CNN Communist News Network!such Keen intelect you have tell me do you do the goose step when you walk or are you just a blind follower of der fuhur!!Or the polit bourer!!better watch what you say your hammer and cycle is showing!
The Republicans are happy with the sequestration. It makes Grover and the TP happy and apparently that's what they care about most.
So are most of the American people, they are tired of being lied to about how the world will end if spending is reduced, and how only tax increases will solve the spending problems in Washington or provide jobs, or spur the economy. All like to talk about a balanced approach, and Obama and his team love to agree – except when it comes to really cutting or looking at sacred cow programs where most of the spending occurs. Time to pay the piper for 4 decades of endless spending folks, and it does not matter who is in the oval office....
But these cuts are not actually cuts. A real cut would wipe out the deficit, and start paying down the debt. We are still spending more than the taxes provide. We still are DEFICIT spending.
Here is $250 million dollars I just found. The state department is going to give Egypt this money after Egypt "promised" democratic reforms. Once a gain the state department got duped and it shows how stupid Kerry is for believing Morsi. Another intelligent master mind is at work once again at the state department.
That money would be better off going to pay down our dept. Second thought: there should be a 50% cut across the board for all foreign aid with that money going to reduce our debt.
Many foreign countries are very corrupt (way more so than the US... despite what Fox claims). So if you want to befriend them you provide "aide". I don't like it either but they will otherwise go to the highest bidder good or bad.
Elected officials are our EMPLOYEES. After performance review, if unsatisfactory, the public should be able to fire the non or under performers – without waiting for a national election. The 2nd place vote-getter [regardless of party affiliation] in previous election gets to have a shot at the position.
$190,000,000 In aid to Egypt was just released.How much foreign aid is being cut? NONE!! Which should prove to all Americans that the American people mean NOTHING to our political criminals.They will STEAL from American citizens and give it to countries that hate our way of life. The only difference between republicans and democrats is what class of Americans the steal from. I agree with clem kadiddle the time for an AMERICAN SPRING IS NOW!!!
Had to laugh, Obama and his henchmen were doing everything they could to pressure the house to bend to his will. Predicting the apocalypse, 4 horsement, immediate doom of our society, not to mention the comic relief by congressman Maxine Waters who loudly proclaimed – "the cuts will cost America 180 million jobs!" ... later some news outlets added to her rant that there are only 140 million jobs in the USA. Now that they have happened, the message has changed with Sperling hitting the circuit, telling everyone – it will be a slow grind, not immediate but long term pain....
So basically the US was lied to about the impending doom from the white house.... so now we should trust what they tell us right?
A reduction in spending increases, which is what this really is,,,,, will impact vert few of us outside of the Beltway in DC. The rest of us will do what we always have to do when conditions change, we adjust.
Isn't out of control spending just as damning?
For every $1.in taxes taken OUT of the private sector, our government is "spending" $1.67.
That is why we have a deficit.....
Thanks to both parties for this fiasco and for reminding us that every time a continuing resolution that is signed is yet another failing report card illustrating that you simply can't do your jobs and get a budget passed!! And those in the Tea Party whom took a "pledge" from the Grover Norquist Team, thanks for forgetting important things like being "for the people." I was not surprised to find that there was more in his name than met the eye – if you rearrange the letters in "G R O V E R N O R Q U I S T," it spells "R G O V E R N O R S Q U I T." Sad but true, thanks for quitting on America.
I don't belive it is a good thing for our economy to be dependent on growing government people. Man have things become turned upside down. Government spending is being increased year over year when in reality it should be frozen for the next ten years until we address the debt crisis. Thank god we have a President who is leading on the issue. NOT!!!
Well, didn't HE and his equally clueless administration want sequestration?! HE and the Democrats got their wishes and now they are whining like babies and continue with the lying and blame games. The worst part is that a good portion (under half) of Américans are swallowing his lies (line, hook, sinker and all) and in some cases defending HIS hypocrisy!
Oh well, América is getting what less than half of the nation voted for. If things keep going the way they are, the Divider -in-Chief will eventually get his wish and America will become a one party (Democrats) nation. Then, I am guessing HE will realize one of HIS dreams and declare himself the "First King of América."
Scary, but, whether some Américans want to admit or not, the WHOLE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH!!!
typical dems spend spend spend
well they got called on this one
and this one is just a prelude as to what is to come!
i suggest everyone begin to get out and find a job
the dole is about to dry up
That would have the positive effect of turning dole recipients into taxpayers.....Win-win.
Jack Rivera,why are you such a ignorant,uncaring clown?..All of your comments are the same about the President and the citizens of this country.Don't you think it's time to just pack up and leave it all behind?..
The US has gone insane and is driving itself into mass destruction. Our leadership in Congress is absolutely a dead loss to the country, our system of medical care is gutting the whole society, we are destroying the middle class and poor, and we have become an imperialistic country, while undermining the very foundations of freedom with the Patriot Act and other associated bills. Goodby America, you were a grand old country after WWII.
Obama doesn't play well with others. He is a bully. There is no compromise in him...not a bad trait for a street baller but a very bad trait for a President in a TWO PARTY SYSTEM. If I were to suggest that he is acting like the typical black (ish) man with a chip on his shoulder would people take it into consideration or just dismiss it as true but taboo. He has written in depth of his inner conflict and hatred of whites in his past. Maybe the Republicans are just too white for him?
About 25% of the federal government needs to be unemployed. Then reduce the burden on the taxpayers accordingly. Allowing FORMER GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES to starve would be a good thing after all they years they have been stealing food from my family.
Hello Steve, federal employee here, US Army Infantry Master Sergeant. I fully support, with my life, your right to free speech even when it sounds like ignorance. Last year I earned roughly $60 thousand before taxes, which sounds like a lot to some people but remember that I am in charge of over sixty personnel at the moment, sometimes much more and I have served faithfully for over twenty-two years. Additionally, in August I will begin preparing to deploy to Afghanistan, which will make this my third year-long deployment. Now please realize that I'm not complaining about the money that I make, I think it is pretty good pay because I don't try to live beyond my family's means and I'm not complaining about the deployments, they are part of the job that I volunteered to do. What I am complaining about is folks like you who lump all federal employees into these made-up numbers, "25%", that should be fired so our corrupt politicians, who of course aren't going to fire themselves and neither are the sheep who voted them into office, can continue to rob all of us blind. As long as less than 1% of our country is willing to serve in the military to defend our country I would hardly say that we are "stealing" anything from your family. But I guess you are right, the way Americans think these days, made obvious by putting a Socialist in the White House not that we produced anything better to choose from, it would probably be better to get rid of us than to stop giving free money to welfare cases who have no intention of serving anybody but themselves.
Was with you until "socialist in the White House".
Signed, 1SG (RET)
Cuts aren't a damning indictment of washington, they are a damning indictment of the electorate that prefers politics as a pro-wrestling type sports event instead of a discussion of hard issues. My team, right or wrong!
The budget issues are not unlike that faced by many in our overweight society. Much like our need to reduce our calories we know that we need to slow down on our spending but we know that it won't be fun and so we have lots and lots of excuses why we aren't going to do so today, but we'll kick the can down the road and do it tomorrow... sure, that'll happen.
This article is factually incorrect and shows why this left wing media journalist consistently defends the president with his phony journalism credentials. "Any man who thinks he can be happy and prosperous by letting the American Government take care of him; better take a closer look at the American Indian."
The wealthy do not have to live in the real world . Next time lets elect the person with the ruby slippers . We can not get any closer to living in oz as we are today !
Thanks Obama. Way to lead the country down the path to ruin.
'Stupidity of the government"? We put them there. Everyone elected into office is our choice so I would have to say we have gotten what we wished for. Everyone clamors for compromise yet where in these posts do you see us, the people electing our government, willing and or able to do just that. It is human nature to expect and demand others do what we cannot or will not. The irony is those we elect see this in us and use it against us to prompt us to continue doing what we all say we do not want. If one view this as a perfect world, one would understand the onyl way to change it is by changing ones self. Easier to demand everyone else does that while we remain the same. Thus, a sequester. Absolutely Perfect.
It is an indictment of past, an present congresses, who got us in the mess we are in.The housing crisis, which we can lay at the feet of two congressmen who skittered out like a shadow in the night when they saw the hand writing on the wall.We also had an attack by nut Muslims which really cost the country a load of money to fight.We are due another anytime because we do not understand and remember that attack came from Muslims who were on our soil not in a foreign country.
According to the CBO and Forbes articles, Obama's unilateral actions reduced the deficit last year.
People no longer give a hoot for bearable deficits, bearable debt to gdp ratios and monumental debt that the White House's OMB itself estimates to be $22 trillion in 2017 tagged with a $600 billion debt interest payment. Not only do these numbers mask considerable socioeconomic pain, but also concede failure in governance with no thought of optimal performance, Failure has become the new success, with people, bankers, politicians, pundits, rewarded handsomely for being dead wrong. This type vertigo is responsible for the decline of civilizations
The Civil Service workers furloughed are each facing a 20-23% cut in their pay – never to be returned. The Tea Party radicals in the Congress aren't losing a dime. Many Civil Servants are veterans continuing to serve the Defense Department. Their service is absolutely critical to America's military readiness, especially in areas of intelligence, logistics, maintenance, information management, and personnel support. The Tea Party right-wingers, most who have never served, believe Civil Servants should be punished for their service. Many Civil Servants will have their savings depleted, may lose their homes and their children may not have money to continue college. Make no mistake – they will aggressively work to throw out the Republican Party in 2014 – the political radicals who caused this unnecessary attack on their family's well-being.
Larry L,
It's about time that all protected emplyees with cushy government jobs get subjected to market forces that all of us in the private sector have been over the last 5 years. The Government has overspent and now it's time to pay the piper. People will lose jobs and this is a necessary adjustment to bring our fiscal house in order. I have relatives in the Defense Department and have heard the stories of waste and inefeciency; how in order to get rid of slack employees they get promoted so they look desireable to other departments. Now get this; the relative's observation is that with fewer employees the government and it's agencies would actually function better; just as my downsized company has over the last few years! It's time to reduce the governemnt workforce accross the board by 5-10%. I certainly believe all departments will probably function better with less "dead wood" as companies in the private sector do..
We're a nation of gluttonous fools and we deserve the leadership that we've chosen for ourselves. The grand experiment in enlightenment philosophy is a bust. Men aren't noble beings who seek to do good and better themselves, and will do so when given freedom; men are apes and will use freedom to behave as such. Go on, stuff your faces and indulge your carnal desires! Only a small percentage of our society actually cares about things like truth, wisdom, or justice...and they've been trying to drag us up out of the muck for the past several hundred years.
This is the fault oif BOTH sides but remember Obama is at the helm and citizens expect leadership NOT more campaigning, golf games and TV appearances.
LEAD!
Let's set the record straight, the original proposed 2013 spending is $3.8 trillion, a 5.5% increase over 2012 spending of $3.6 trillion. With the $85 billion cut, the 2013 spending would be $3.715 trillion, still a 3% increase over 2012. It is a smaller increase than the original budget, not a cut.
I have a great idea to help with the whole budget problem. It is very outside the box and I know everyone is going to think I am crazy but here goes.... Why don't we stop giving money to every freaking country on this planet and take care of our own for once? $60M to Syrian rebels who by the way hate our guts, $250M to Egypt who hates our guts and I don't know how many Billions (yes Billions) we spend in Afghanistan, Iraq, and give to freaking Pakistan who by the way hates our guts! We need to pass a law that says is is illegal for this country to give money to any other country unless we have Zero Debt and every person in this country that needs to work and needs health care can get it. Told you I was crazy!!
You had me until you said there was little to no waste in Medicare, which is to say, you didn't have me very long (3rd paragraph). Get a freaking CLUE. That is one of the biggest black holes in government spending. Very little fraud and waste??? Physicians are forced to perform tests and meet stupid criteria determined by non-medical bureaucrats that do absolutely nothing to improve the quality of care for seniors and others on medicare. You clearly have no idea what you're talking about.
well sammy ill bet you got that info from the guy on CNN with the swinging watch saying you will believe this crap! you will believe this crap!and when I snap my fingers you will awake as a dummer crat libral! with no facts to back it up just your libral Bias to base your opinion on!Wak up! wake Up!
The real issue is that the Republicans will do anything to bring down this USA. They will close down our government the end of the month. Boehner has Congress on a 2 week recess again during this time. Nothing done again in the Congress. They are on recess 70% of the year. And then Boehner will not allow any debates on the floor to try to pass any bills. He is the DICTATOR of the HOUSE. Boehner only mission is to close down our government.
Cuts a damning indictment? That's true! They fell short of what they should have been! Much deeper cuts are needed! Morons!
Florida Governor Scott fraud Medicare out of millions when he was a CEO of a health care company. He got fired and then ran for governor. He never was charged. Amazing what the strings Republicans can pull to get him out of jail.
Fareed your are such a loser. These cuts are no big deal. They are not even worth talking about. Peanuts.
This all Obama. He created the sequester and now refuses to live up to his side of the original bargain to cut spending. He already got his tax increase but like a typical liberal, hge wants more and more taxes so he can just keep spending us into oblivion.
pstttt.... the REPUBLICANS created the debt crisis. See raygun/bush/bush deficits and debt!
I am 24 years old and have two pay into two program, Social Security and Medicare, that will be broke and bankrupt by the time I reach the age I need them. Why not allow me to keep that money and invest it in the way I best see fit?
By the time you reach social security age,most baby boomers will be gone and there WILL be a surplus in the social security fu nd,not a shortage.The only thing that could stop soc.sec.is if ALL the jobs left America,but then we'd be in civil war for survival and it wont make a difference anymore.
After paying income tax, property tax, tax on vehicles, road tax, hotel tax, flight tax, tax on goods needed to live, tax on investments – most americans pay more than 55% of thier income to some form of government. Does that really seem fair. It's bu*&*&^t!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wat'll they legalize the illegal aliens into our welfare system if you really want to feel anger...
After all is said and done,did they really believe that passing lgislation to allow tax paying companies to flee America with tax paying jobs was really going to improve American's lives or increase tax revenues ?
It seems to me that the GOP, who created this debt crisis with their tax cuts and overspending, are now still protecting the tax breaks for the wealthy and corporate elite by refusing to close their tax loopholes! Remember, if the last 3 GOP presidents had NOT signed TWENTY deficit riddled budgets AND saddled Obama with a $1.3T deficit, WE
WOULDNT HAVE A DEBT CRISIS!!! NOW, Republicans want cuts in SS and Medicare (surprise!), despite the fact tt these recipients had ANTHING to do with the debt crisis!
WHY should Joe America have to foot the bill because of a program of action that te GOP executed that benefits the rich and corporation??? TheGOP broke it!! Let the GOP find ways to fix in- WITHOUT placing the burden on those who had NOTHING to do with this mess!! The GOP is bound and determined to eventually privatize SS and Medicare, and funnel all that money into the hands of the Wall St. crooks who crashed the economy!! BRILLIANT AINT IT???
Yet it takes citizens who post comments who have to inform Americans of all this while the media worries about selling ad and getting website hits instead of telling Americans the entire story!
Didn't 0bama add $1.3 trillion to the debt each year he has been in office? Are you really that blind?
Medicare and Soc Sec are going broke. What do you suggest? Add up the numbers and provide your solution. Rich people don't have enough money to pay for this. Add us the numbers
Even with this sequester the federal Government is spending more money in 2013 than in 2012, how is this a cut?
I'd like to see government spending cut even more. If you look at what Bill Clinton was spending in his peak budget (~ $2.1 Trillion) and divide that into today's projected budget ($3.7 Trillion) you find that the government has grown by 76%. Seems kinda excessive to me.
If across the board cuts is the only cuts we can get these days, then I say so be it.
The government at all levels seems pretty GREEDY these days. Let's remind them that THEY WORK FOR US.
I'm actually pretty impressed. The cuts aren't much, but they're better than I expected. I expected a 11th hour deal that brought us right back to the status quo.
It's a start. They should start now on the next round of cuts. It seems to be a very slow moving process.
At this point, we don't need more tax revenue as much as we need to just cancel the sequester or at least cut it right in half - voila, a compromise!
I'd rather see us double it vs. cut it. Government = waste. The less the government has the less waste it can create. Politician's are the biggest offenders of waste.
Balanced budget bill
+ Term limits
+ Real deficit reduction
+ Eliminate the debt
= national prosperity
Even with this sequester the federal Government is spending more money in 2013 than in 2012, how is this a cut?
I'd like to see government spending cut even more. If you look at what Bill Clinton was spending in his peak budget (~ $2.1 Trillion) and divide that into today's projected budget ($3.7 Trillion) you find that the government has grown by 76%. Seems kinda excessive to me. ccc
If across the board cuts is the only cuts we can get these days, then I say so be it.
The government at all levels seems pretty GREEDY these days. Let's remind them that THEY WORK FOR US.
It never ceases to amaze me how many people root for/support the two major political parties in our country as if they are somehow different from each other. The only things that look different about them is all just smoke and mirrors. Both the democrat and republican parties are robbing our nation by sending jobs overseas and funding various hostile countries experiencing their "Arab Spring", while at the same time lining their own pockets. We are all guilty of letting this happen to one degree or another but please start reminding our politicians that they work for us and not the other way around. Additionally, stop supporting democrats and republicans like you are rooting for your favorite sports team and start holding ALL politicians accountable. In other words, please wake up and stop being such stupid sheep.
Our government needs to conduct a needs assessment of what we, as Americans, actually NEED. Not want. NEED. Anything that is not considered a need or that Americans decide they don't need ... it could be chopped. If a government agency isn't able or is unwilling to service those needs it can be chopped too. Then right size the government to those needs. And right size our taxes to those needs.
Quite a concept isn't it? Actually knowing what we Americans need!
Medicare and Social Security for current, and future recipients needs to be cut. All the other cuts are meaningless.
Try saying that again when you are 65 and have spent 45 years contributing to social security for others, and have been promised specific amounts of retirement income in each annual statement from the government.
I'm not saying that the solution won't be reductions in SS spending, but it's not as simple as you suggest to do this in a way that is fair to all.
It's Austerity through Incompetence.
No it's not Fareed Zakaria, It's a damning indictment of the American middle class. We created this government and this mess and we own it. We think because we are free it gives the right to drink beer, watch football, and take no responsibility for the leadership of our nation. We are weak and we are wrong.
Actually I think both points are valid. Our government is being remarkably stupid, and the solution is for us to vote the bums out (nearly all of them IMHO) and replace them with people who are capable of negotiating workable and lasting compromises. It's time to fix our problems once and for all, rather than kick the can down the road.
You can blame it on all that weed that Obumma been smoking latly!He has been under so much stress latly trying to figure out how to make the republicans look bad and get the blame for his in ability to lead !
Here it is Monday morning, the sun has risen and the world as we know it did not end as obama said it would. People got up and went to work in a place where the electricity was still on and Oh my goodness, I even saw the school buses running this morning. so just as normal, the threats of crisis by the wanna be dictator obama were once again a lot of smoke being blown by obama and the liberal media. what does chicken little and obama have in common besides the sky NOT falling, its that neither have anything sensible to crow about.
The Obama plan is to generate fear and panic over the cuts. If possible, make sure it affects something critical so that (not so intelligent) people then will suddenly demand an increase in spending. He had his chance, Republicans tossed him the ball and offered him the power to make the cuts he felt were appropriate and he refused. Very telling. I don't know why he is so bent on crushing our children's future with such out of control spending and a mission to destroy us with oppressive tax rates like France. Honestly, do you journalists out there ever ask real questions of this administration?
Fareed Zakaria CNN's comunist news reporter and obma cheerleader wrote another obama loving article.comrade obama cut taxes, cut spending , cut government jobs,send illegal aliens back to their home countries and eliminate ilegal alien aid of any kind.Make welfare people take illegal alien jobs .
With the comments about the need to cut SS and Medicare, how about instead everyone pay's their share of SS tax.
When you are fortunate enough to earn around 104K guess what, you don't have to pay anymore. BUT you get to collect your
SS despite not having paid in to SS and if all your income is from investments you don't pay either but you will still get to collect SS. Everyone needs to pay and why is there an income ceiling for SS at 104K that puts all the burden on the working middle class?
AH more class warfare Saul Alinsky has you duped into redistribution of wealth through taxing the public instead of forcing the feds to spend more domestically!!!
Actually high income earners very seldom get to draw from SS due to the income and/or wealth test. Most of those high income earners have pretty decent pensions. And at a point they lose their SS benefits due to going over the threshold. Boy are you class warfare peeps really not very bright.
Cant fund things at home...Yet Kerry found $250 Million to give to Egypt!? When are you sheep going to realize, if we spent less abroad and more at home, tax rates would be just fine where they are! You Libs scream from the roof-tops for higher taxes only to allow your Govt to spend and spend on over seas interests instead of on Domestic needs...I.E. roads, bridges, energy production (both alt and nat res.), education, and so on!!!
well, let's see. Quit going on useless personal vendettas (iraq). Quit giving foreign aid to countries that hate us. Quit giving 700 billion to low life banks. get rid of the department of homeland stupidity, the tsa, the cia, the nsa and the irs. Cut congressional salary to minimum wage. No need for us to have enough weapons to blow up the world eight times over (can anyone tell me what happens to the world after it is blown up the FIRST time).
The problem is that the President and Congress made a deal and now we get to see that neither has the ability to show leadership. They created a sequestration that is blind to what is working and what is fat when it comes to cuts. I don't know of any private organization that cuts the programs that are making them money and keeps the ones that are bleeding red. Cuts are needed, but these clowns don't have a clue on how to do it with any intelligence.
Of course the sequestration was Obama's idea. He proposed it in July of 2011 as part of the budget reform act. So, he proposes it, it gets through. But when it comes to going into effect, he calls it stupid.
We just had $600 billion in tax increases at the turn of the year. Plus the additional tax increases with the 2% payroll tax increase (added to the $600 B).
We have Maxine Waters saying 180 million people will loose their jobs due to sequestration. Maxine, we don't have 180 million people with jobs in the USA – how is every single person going to loose their job? <330 million total population.
Yet the Kool-Aide drinkers keep repeating her number and quote as if it is really going to happen. What is up people, are you not intelligent enough to actually question a number that obviously makes zero sense to anybody with a brain?
Who gives a crap who proposal it was. The fact remains that our Congress could have chose to work on together on a bettter solution, but instead of being adults they all acted like children. Nothing out of the ordinary, that is what has been happening for the past 4 to 5 years. So, keep blaming President Obama and not holding Congress accountable. The fact remains that the budget is the responsibility of the House of Representatives not the President. If we hold Congress accountable then maybe they can improve on that 9% job approval rating. But why should they, they are not going to lost any pay or benefits, so they should they work hard.
Spending is out of control and everyone panics over tiny cuts to a bloated budget. How do they think to balance the budget? Simple math shows that it is the cuts in spending, not raising taxes that have a hope in balancing the budget.
Cuts to government spending equates to cuts in government contracts and government contractors (who aren't government workers). American businesses will feel the cuts because its contracts and grants to businesses and non-profits. Next target – student loans and grants. The 2015 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) should be interesting. Will politics come into play as they decide which U.S. military bases they close? Reduce Navy ships (and the civilian workers at the shipyards who build them). Eliminate 2000 government and contract jobs in any town and city and see what it does to the housing market, etc. Perhaps you should recommend that the cuts can begin in your town "Serious Truth".
More GOP talking points.
Republicans said taxes are off the table but, blame the democrats for not compromising? Sound like more same old same old from the GOP.
The dems got their tax increase in January, twice dimwit. Once on your SS (removing the tax holiday on SS) and once on EVERYONE making more than 450K. And once all the taxes for obamacare kick in you will be feeling that every time you take an aspirin.
Osambo got his taxes in Jan. and now wants more. Kinda lied don't ya think? The nig re-nigged obviously.
WOW...your white sheet is showing. Just come out and call "OUR" president the "N" word and be done with it.
Your side has called him everything but a child of god even though the man is half white; which I think is what really bothers the "rednecks" if truth be told. If the tea party republicans had been willing to "fairly" compromise, none of this would be necessary. This my way or nothing crap is only good as soundbites in gerrymandered districts outside of Washington DC. But wait...when Bubba's nephew working on a military base in Oklahoma carrying bedpans loses his job because of this foolishness or grandpa can't get new teeth....then maybe they will realize they are hurting their own kind..........real people like the rest of the 47% unless you think you going to be Donald Trump one day.
So you think the sequestor was something Obama wanted! Think again he did that to get the GOP to agree to the last deal to stave off problems besides what difference does it make the GOP would force the cuts anyway. You think the cuts hurt anyone who makes over 250,000 a year the answer by the way is NO. Boerner still gets his 200 dollar haircut and tan while the poor, old, middleclass, public safety, defense, etc SUFFER as usual. To those (other than the standard 31 percent who would vote for devil if he were Republican) of you with sense vote the GOP out of the house come next election so America can move on. Then the tax loopholes, breaks, etc will go away also.
There are not cuts. The 2013 budget will be a minimum of 15 BILLION DOLLARS MORE THAN 2012. FACT: Try educating yourself.
2014 will be known as the Elephant's Graveyard. The Republican party is going to suffer horribly in the midterms.
Only because the simpletons that back the dumbocrats can't seem to realize that the welfare party is just as much at fault.
THERE ARE NO CUTS. STOP LYING TO US OBAMA AND CNN. The 2013 budget will be a minimum of 15 BILLION MORE than was spent in 2012. STOP TRYING TO BANKRUPT US OBAMA AND LIBERALS.
Looks like the politicians all got their bluff called with this sequester. Now their total incompetence is showing in that the whole bunch are clueless.............
last time I checked the CONGRESS spends the money and if we kept reelecting the same idiots then do not expect things to change
I am so tired of hearing the world will end every time our Government wants more money. These cuts are not going to hurt the average/middle class American.
I hear them say teachers will be let go, since when does the Feds pay for my son's high school teacher. I'm sure they will let some of the DOD teachers go just so they can say "We told you so" and then try to scare us into another tax hike.
If our Government was serious about any of this, they would start by cutting ALL the pay for Congress, Senate and yes, the White House.
When they each take a cut, I'll start listening again.
And by the way, Yes, they can take a cut by giving the IRS a check. They can't cut thier pay by law, but wait, they wrote the law...
Wake me when the world really does end. I want to BBQ ribs.....
Federal Government gives money to the States for teachers.
the military cuts aren't bad and nothing will really change since the military waste more resource than any other agency. With our current technology we can do more with less and more cost effective than now. I have seen so much waste in the military but because we keep getting money we have to use it or it will be lost money for the next year. Indeed of having a use it or lose it deal, we should have a roll over so the funds that arent used during that year can be rollover into a safety box for that organization to use, however they see fit for the miision. I say this because im in the military and we can do so much if we actually plan and spend our money wisely instead of buying the new shiny pc/equipment that isnt needed every year.
Get a clue. The majority of the cuts are not aimed at any waste. Efficient programs are getting cut too. The sequestration provides no guidance on what can be cut. If the Navy is directed to cut funding for ships, they don't have the authority to decide what is cut. It's just a general cut that ends up shortening or cancelling deployments, shutting down flying due to cuts in flight hours, fuel, etc. In the meantime, the "bridges to nowhere" keep getting your taxpayer dollars to waste away because they weren't included in the general cuts that the President and Congress agreed to.
Kinda shows that the jerks we repeatedly reelect to congress understand that we are just sheep following blindly. Congress gets 2 year terms and the Senate 6 years...They haven't even produced a budget in the last 4 years yet we continue to re-elect them. It isn't the Democrats or the Republicans fault....it's ours.
The fact that Meals on Wheels is in your opinion more important than our preparedness for an attack and ability to defend ourselves just shows how blissfully ignorant most of America is to what is happening around the world. I don't want to leave grandma hungry but the life of one 80 year old does not equate to the safety of millions, it just doesn't. These Social programs have nothing to do with the responsibilities of our Government and it has become the drag on our nation. This is why tax exemptions and deductions are so important, so that individuals can give back to their local community through privately funded organizations that are legitimate and run well rather than through handout programs that are filled with underperforming employees that are usually the bottom of the barrel.
Idiot !
You have to really question government spending, when their departments are told "if you don't spend what you are allotted, then we cut your funding next year." July and August are really good months for us. Thankfully, this type of government non-sense has saved my job, for the last 22 years. Gotta love all those administrations.
If the government wants to whin and bloat, play the blame game about these forced cuts, then what's it going to be like in 2016 for the next elect. How much in debt will we be since the debt is escalating? If you can't make decisions on your own, I would be forcing cuts also but not to the areas of our country where it's necessary but to the unessary. Break out a pencil and paper, line by line and start asking what's needed and what's not, why are we paying this out? At what point do you stop spending? I think now would be a good time! It's a terrible for our coutnry that everyone's elelcted into office by the people and this is what we get in return. Millions in the unemployment line, lack of funds to secure our country, defend our country, poor schools for our children because your cutting out (arts, physical activity, culture, some not even updated) unsafe food to eat because inspections are being cut, cutting meals from the seniors, a sky high crime rated country to live in ,healthcare with outrageous costs.......ect Really??? You have to make things better for the future of our country. It's loooking pretty grim for the future for us all. Inflation is rising faster than the money that anyone makes to where the working middle class can barely survive living on 2 or 3 incomes, including some people with more income. As a government, you need to all wake up and come to your common senses and say "Enough is Enough" on the spending and seriously do something about it. Cut what really needs to be cut, all the waste and there is alot of it! How about starting with the "Welfare System", that is full of fraud and abuse. This would be a great start! There are thousands of food pantrys, shelters, churches ect..(in every state). and people donate year round so your paying SNAP benefits to people, why??? Spend our tax dollars wisely and with common sense.
I know that there is a minimum 25 and 30 year Age requirement for election to the congress and senate, respectively. However, I was curious as to whether or not there is an, unpublished, minimum, Mental Age requirement that might be in the 16 to 18 year old range?
Actually, it's an indictment of the American voters, especially the extreme right who are demanding a dictatorial position even though they are in the minority. We will have this stalemate as long as the extreme right media machine is unchecked.
I'm so sick of REPUBLICANS. This is the party of Bush, Reagan, Nixon, Ford, and Hoover. Not to mention McCain and Palin. Are you kidding me, you people actually support this party. They only care about the rich.
This is just another democrat trying to say that the budget should not be cut. He even says that the budget MUST increase every year because of growth. A total lie.
As long as the cuts affect only middle class and poor it will be allowed.
If cuts were to affect congress, they would have passed a 20,000 page bill that garantees they get their money first, and adds a few billion in pork spending hidden on page 18,422.
Once again the GOP's best friend, False Equivalence, raises his ugly head. The problem isn't "Washington," it's a political party that's gone off the rails.
The people who hold federal elected offices believe they are doing an outstanding job. To us these are issues that need fixing by compromise. To those who hold public office the job is NOT to resolve issues by compromise but to get re-elected.They get re-elected by maintaing, nurturing and growing issues. To elected people they consider themselves as doing an outstanding job.
This article lost me at this line – (social security, Medicare, interest deduction, local tax deduction), most of which actually have relatively little waste and abuse in them.). These programs have HUGE waste... and fraud. geezzz....
President Obama came up with this plan – it is HIS plan... too bad HIS plan is not to the liking of HIS fans... Maybe next time he will learn that you don't PLAY around in politics.
Let's cut all foreign aid.
I WORK FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND I THANK THE AMERICAN PUBLIC FOR GIVING ME A GREAT SALARY TO RAISE MY FAIMLY, BUT AS A CITIZEN, I SEE THE WASTE EVERYDAY! BRING ON THE SEQUESTER!! POOR MANAGEMENT AND WASTE IS NOT AN EXCUSE TO RAISE THE DEBT!! MR OBAMA HAS DONE ZERO TO REDUCE WASTE AND FRAUD AND FOR THIS I DO NOT SUPPORT HIS REQUEST TO INCREASE TAXES ON "ANYONE".
Drop the talking points and get a life. I doubt seriously that you work for the federal government. If so, let start by cutting your job first.
I don't get it
the numb nuts right wingers call for fiscal responsability and cut spending
and finally when the President delivery those cuts the numb nuts cry about it?
what is wrong?
Obama is cutting down money to your rich buddies and the military?
ohhhhh Bad Obama Bad Obama
Mr. Zakaria, the damning indictment goes to the far left media and those in Congress who pretend that these cuts were excessive. Uncle Sam is morbidly obese. We are spending $1 trillion annually that we don't have. We need at least $500 billion in across the board cuts. So cut the crap!
Dear Fareed,
You totally lost me when you said there is nothiing to cut in medicare?? Seriously?? I am a federal employee in Miami and I KNOW this government has done little short of chasing theives who continue to steal a BILLION DOLLARS OF TAX DOLLARS EACH YEAR in medicare fraud in Miami Dade County !! Is fraud just another Obama stimulus because he surely has no interest in making sure tax dollars are spent wisely!!
The sequester and every other 'dumb' idea hatched in DC is our fault. We elected these folks believing that they would represent our interest. The problem? Once they're in office, the real bosses begin the arm twisting and force them down the paths they want them to go. Divide and conquer is an old technique but still effective. Blame the poor for being lazy and shiftless and you've won the votes of one demographic. Further blame the immigrants for taking jobs from hardworking folks and that wins another. Time to wake up.
Has Zakaria forgotten the reason for the sequester? the Republicans were threatening default. What's "damning" is someone from the press neglecting that little bit of information. Why choose to be harmful like that?
I hate to beat a dead horse, but I remember my first thought when Bush said we are going to war with Iraq, "there goes the economy" sorry.
The president has clearly stated he is willing to make cuts to spending totalling more than the sequestered amount, including very targeted cuts to aspects of the medical care programs. But if you are truly concerned about spending, then you have to take a sharp look at tax expenditures. Special tax breaks for energy companies and money managers and the like, need attention. The refusal to consider trimming or eliminating those expenditures really makes the point most eloquently. That is – these so-called fiscal conservatives are not fiscal conservatives at all. They are simple political hacks who are married to the campaign money, and they put personal reelection prospects ahead of what is clearly in the national interest. If you truly want more cuts, the president is willing, but you have to be willing to cut these tax expenditures as well.
i wish and pray all republicans be lined up infront of a firing squad and let this country be a better place.
The Republican party has to be replaced! Let's just get it over with already why are we dragging this on? They're never going to represent the majority as time passes.
I'm sorry. This forum is reserved for people with a minimum two digit IQ. You will have to leave, I'm afraid.
I'm all for as many accross-the-board cuts that it takes to get politicians to actually make targeted cuts. At present all I hear is:
Cut 1$ from Defense and we'll be invaded by China next week.
Cut 1$ from Medicaid and Granny starves to death on the street.
Cut 1$ from Homeland Insecurity and Terrorists gonna git ya.
Raise taxes 1$ and all businesses will go belly-up.
Raise taxes 1$ on the Rich and they'll all move out of the US.
Raise wages 1$ and inflation will run rampant.
etc.
Force 5% cuts per year, every year, until Congress removes loopholes and rewrites the tax code.
End the War on Drugs. Defund the DEA. Legalize and Tax.
Close all Foreign bases, end all Foreign Aid. Do not intervene if Syria.
Defund Homeland Security and the TSA. You're many times more likely to be hit by lightning than killed by a Terrorist.
Nationalize the private prison system, then shut half of it down. Stop jailing more people than any other nation on the planet.
You have exposed the whining of Special Interests. However, the prisons are full and should stay that way. Why? Because Crime rates are down. I do not want criminals on my street.
I wish a sinkhole would swallow Congress.
When even a reduction in future increases is met with gnashing of teeth from the libs, I have to wonder, what is going to happen when we're 20 trillion in debt (or more)? You could tax the wealthy at 100% and it still would make a dent in our ridiculous debt. Something has got to change. Ultimately thousands and thousands of government employees will lose their jobs – no matter what. We simply can't go on pretending the debt is something that can be ignored.
We are just voting for middle management. The corporations give direction to the PAC's and they give the word to the middle managers. To think the govt is in control of anything that may effect runaway healthcare costs, unemployment or corporate welfare is fooling yourself. And these are the mill stones around our necks.
This is classic capitalism at work. The members of congress are incentivized to get re-elected, collect there nice salaries, perks and retirements. They are not incentivized to take on and solve difficult and sometimes unpopular problems. So, they spend all of their energy making stupid decisions that have nothing to do with solving the long term structural and financial issues of the country but have everything to do with taking positions that will ensure their re-election in their districts and states. We really shouldn't expect anything different – sad but true.
We just pledged to Egypt $500,000,000 for thier humanitarian efforts, depite thier atrocious Shiria law rules and where was it that our embassy was attacked- Libya, Egypt. This is insane. They are not in debt like we are and they get plenty of money from the Muslim nations around them. We could have just kept the money and saved a regiment and teachers from being cut.
It's not the cuts that are damning, but the fact that Congress has not been living within the countries means for decades. However, this headline just goes to show how totally foolish and stupid the editors of CNN are. Surely these were the guys who came to high school stoned, took shop classes because they could do nothing else and stilled flunked out of high school.
The work stoppage in DC should not come as a surprise. Obama had no leadership expereine going in and he has not developed any. He cannot get his own party to deal with things or even consider one of his budgets. You elected a community organizer and you still have a community organizer – except one that cannot organize or lead anything.
Obama's Presidency will go down as one of the most polarizing partisan of all - and one of the most destructive.
Here is a cut that will save the taxpayer money–abolish the dysfunctional, racially segregated D.C. Government. The D.C. Government is an on-going, long-standing criminal enterprise that is also an apartheid system that Obama and Congress should have abolished long ago. This is a good exercise in bad government and feckless leadership to allow something so dysfunctional, criminal and such a waste of taxpayer money to continue for SUCH A LONG TIME in, of all places, the nation's capital–that Americans should, otherwise, be proud of. If the federal government is negligent in overseeing the local cesspool, imagine all the other types of gross negligence that goes on unreported.
It's all part of Obama's chess game. Now he can give on cuts to Medicare and Social Security and pretend he had no choice. When he agreed to make the Bush tax cuts for the hyper rich permanent that would have largely solved this problem had they expired, what else could be his feeling? He's a conservative Republican in a centrist Democrat's clothing.
What color is the sky in the strange world you live in? Obama will never in his life agree to ANY cuts, much less to those liberal sacred cows. He is a left wing extremist who pretends to be competent.
Taxation without representation is Tyranny, I think both the Republicans and Democrats clearly show no representation, yet we are getting taxed. Time for a revolt.
guess the moral of the story is never underestimate how Fed up the GOP is. they obviously could give a rats behind about the country so long as the rich get richer. Obama should stop dealing with them all together.
No, the moral is that the Dems are so idiotic that they think a very minor cut in a spending INCREASE will be the end of the world. Or they know better and are simply liars. There is evidence both ways.
Yeah, we can write a check on a moment's notice for $60 billion for hurricane sandy to be delivered next-day, but to have to cut $40 billion over the course of 12 full months is just impossible to do.
Not to Worry- The Federal Reserve is printing money. About $85 Billion each month. That will be around $1 Trillion a year. Liberals don't need to tax the rich, there is plenty of money to go around. (this is sarcasm). Anyone remember the Underwater Mortgage Financial Bubble? There is another bubble that is going to burst: 'low-interest financing of the National Debt'.
GOP said they will not tax/close those loop-holes to the wealthy.... yet they just allowed for 800 thousand civil service middle income workers to have to take a 20% pay cut. So much more happening then some can or will allow themselves to see. Sad for our Country and People.
It is time to buy tar and feathers. These DC SOBS have gone too far!
Fareed Zararia articles are full of one sentence sound bites that he believes is the rule not the exception. His statement that Medicare is basically free of waste and abuse is absurd. It is estamated that there is between $50B to $75B of fraud, waste, and abuse in the Medicare system.
Listening to liberals and government bureaucrats whining about the sequester is like hearing a 600 pound man saying, "I'm starving to death," because he gained 49 pounds instead of 50. A lot of hot air and BS.
And you'll never understand just how ignorant and why you're one of some that is a problem for the People and our Country. And you'll refuse to educate and continue to name call and hate and follow, which is a choice and one that many have and do fight for you to have.... sad you'll never really appreciate and understand but follow because it's so easy.
Until we start thinking outside the box and start electing individuals not affiliated with the two major political parties we will continue to get more of the same. We the people of the United States need to stop blaming the opposing political party. It's our fault. We are fools to side with either of these political parties. Both are guilty of this mess and we are the most guilty for having put them in office.
Really? Then maybe you should find a line of work that doesn't rely on the government fat to pay your wages. Try scratching out a living in the private sector like most of us working poor. 2.5%, gimme a break!
So it's Americans who work for the governments fault for working for them? A lot of civil service are military vets and all are middle class. Why would you comment on something you have no idea what is involved or are able to understand. Ignorance.... lack of knowledge but you seem to be ok with that. That's sad.
Let me explain for all you about the Sequester, Furlough, Continuing Resolution, and Types of appropriations:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/budget/fy2013/assets/concepts.pdf
No, it's too much, let me sum up...
Sequester
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/02/20/the-sequester-absolutely-everything-you-could-possibly-need-to-know-in-one-faq/
Furlough – temporary lay off without pay 22 days for the remaining year ans possibly to continue into next year. A 20% pay cut. Very very few government civilians are exempt from this.
Continuing resloution – no new procurement or R&D and O&M accounts are tied to last years spending (expires at the end of March (that's a brick wall!!!!) If your agency's budget were requesting more O&M as your development becomes operational, well forget about it. That's less contracts, more expensive development as things get kicked down the road.
Wholly inadequate, but at least it's a start in the right direction.
Just by cutting Corp. Welfare to Fossil Fuel Giants would save the American People 10-50 billion dollars a year. We would have to pay more at the pump, and people with out solar panels would pay more for electricity. But so what!?!?!? Consumerism is all about what you consume, you pay for. It is time the Government stop paying this welfare. It is a common fact that people with more wealth consume more resources. So it in turn is logical to deduce they will be the ones most impacted by the raise in fossil fuel prices. And it is also a common notion that who the heck cares if the wealthy have to pay more for what they actually consume.
http://priceofoil.org/fossil-fuel-subsidies/
We are so very tired of the games the GOP play and what they put the country thru. We have enough worries trying to make ends meet and they in their effort to protect the rich refuse to budge. The country has never been so divided. I believe Cheney began this great divide during the Bush Administration and it has become worse with the crazies who were elected to the House in 2010.
Actually the crazies were elected in 2006. Democrats have controlled the majority of the federal government since January 2007. They controlled both Houses of Congress from January 2007 until January 2011, the White House and both Houses of Congress from January 2009 until January 2011, and the White House and the Senate from January 2009 until now. And for some reason Democrats think Americans should blame the Republican minority for all of our problems??? That is just not rational!!! Republicans controlled the majority of the federal government from January 1995 until January 2007. Was the economy better or worse back then?
What a slobbering neanderthaul! 20 years from now you will be blaming the republicans for everything!its been 4 years and your man and his group a cronies still hsve not doneanything but put us deaper in debt !we now pay more for everything and our incomes have gotten smaller under thei welfare president!you have your head so far up his butt you cant see anthing! BUT its Bushes fault and the republicans fault!when ther3e are no republicans in office because they get all the blame who will you finally blame for this mess????!!
The cuts are most certainly not a damning indictment. They're one of the very few indicators that there may be some shred of sanity remaining within the beltway. The only problem is they're too little, too late.
Why don't we ever hear of these Boneheads ever cutting their pay???? They don't do squat except fight like little children, yet they still get paid for NOT DOING THEIR JOB!!!! All they can ever do is find ways to cut what little American's have left (except for their rich buddies of course)!! Start making them hurt a little and see how it feels to be screwed by them every single day, while they get paid for DOING NOTHING!!!!! They are a waste of space, money and air!!!!
Some congress members belong in nursing homes, not running (or should I say) screwing our country!
If this country is in so much financial trouble, how can we give $150 million to Egypt and untold other millions to other countries? We can support other countries, but not the good ole U.S.A.
Although I am an Obama supporter, giving money to another muslim nation tha tonly hates us and want us to fail angers me to no end. Iraq, Afganistan, Pakistan, and who the heck else we are giving money to. The money we are now pledging to give Egypt is enough to help of 20,000 elderly.
Our system of government is a failure. Big money has made the system corrupt and unworkable.
If you have to borrow to pay your bills, you are doing your job wrong!!! Thanks a lot congress, dummies and cry babies.
With all the budget problems why do we need to give Egypt the $250 million in aid that Kerry just promised? I for one do not want my tax dollars being spent in any country except ours. Cut Social Security for our seniors but how many taxpayers will it take to pay for this economic aid to Egypt. Disgusting!
every state of the union has symbolically applied for succession under obumma!!
The only answer is for all states to secede the union (federal govt) and start over again, getting rid of every single useless politician (and that's the majority of them).
Re start the government with new people with vitality and genuine interest in commerce, never again to allow it to metasasize (sp?) into the cancer it has become.
Secondly and mot importantly, rid ourselves of the Federal bank, seek out the global elite bankers / corporations that aspired to run things and imprison them.
"these cuts are less about immediate economic impact than they are about the stupidity of American government and the failures of the political system to put the country’s long-term interests first."
"Stupidity" and "failures" are indeed apt terms to apply to our government. Those "stupid failures" who hold office are making no attempt to govern. They care only about enriching themselves and perpetuating their own careers. One of these days I hope American voters are smart enough to ensure defeat for every obstructionist in Congress when they come up for election. Maybe that would amount to all of them.
Don, unfortunately, too many Americans are not paying attention. They are drinking the kool-aid and not questioning anything. They swallow the lies because it's easier ...
Boo hoo hoo. I'm a state employee and mostly because of federally mandated Medicaid increases to the state's budget we haven't seen a pay raise in years, and now my temporary payroll tax cut has gone away, and Obamacare has cut my flexible spending medical deduction in half costing me over $900 a year in additional taxes. And 2% inflation is a joke, it is a lot higher than that. Since my family is having to reduce my standard of living to deal with all this, why shouldn't the federal government cut back as well?
America, you have the Government you deserve. You vote for it, then you complain about it. Ha Ha Ha. The Canadian system is one of the best in the world. We pay high taxes, and in large part, we get good services. At least our politicians who lie are set straight by our media. Your media covers your politicians lies. Like I say, you deserve what you get; stop complaining.
Spot on ay?
I have visited Canada a number of times and met and befriended Canadians/Canadiens. I was so impressed with Canada. If I was younger, I would move there. And, yes, I agree. We get what we voted for ... The propaganda machine works too well in America.
We need even more cuts in taxes and spending. Taxes are still the lowest they been for decades.
When will the impeachment proceedings begin?
We need real cuts in government spending. Dismantle Social Security and Medicare. Let the states take care of there elderly.If they want to. Time for the government to stop forcing us to pay for programs that we will never benefit from.
Jake, I hope you never grow old - or be a disabled veteran - because obviously you have NO compassion.
Although cuts might look like evil thing but they are a necessity. If don't act on it now, we will paying everything from our GDP. Of course, we need domestic programs so that basic necessities are met but one can't play politics by blaming it on republicans for the sequester. Republicans were part of the problem in previous administration, too much expenditure. Now that they have come to senses, their actions shouldn't be branded as anti-poor, ant-middle clasas.
And why shouldn't we consider them anti old people, and anti middle class. Being hell bent on destroying our country to mak e Mr Obams look bad, maintaining lopp holes for the ultra rich, and now the sequester can be seen as nothing less.
The GOP/Tea Nuts must be eliminated, but I will settle for being voted out of office.
Author made it sound very 'researched' but missed MAJOR points of his Obama fawning writing. Idea as Woodward pointed out to his 'regret' was Obama's. HE came up with it as a scare tactic. When he called it 'dumb' the other day he was pointing toward Republicans who gave in and 'worked with him' and have it to him as the $600 million in new taxes this yr. But the Republicans aren't 'dumb' ones who cam up with it. SO if you dislike the outcome and want to be a editorialist then PLEASE reveal for the dumb masses who fathered this legislation. And lastly, can nobody but Republicans not accept no matter how big our country grows that there isn't a bottomless pot of gold and that we've spent ourselves into trouble. More revenue from (Obama's 'loopholes for those well connected') the so-called rich otherwise known as people with enough money to start a business and hire people called small businessmen isn't gonna cure the govt's spending problem. Spending to buy votes essentially is what got us here. Nothing short of drastic cuts will restore us and the sequester ISN"T drastic its at most 3% of the yearly budget not 70% of it like you mis-word it to sound like. Sigh...
Why has this come to pass? Because we have politicians whose sole pursuits are power and money. There are no statesmen. They are career politicians who have learned that they can lie to the American people and the American people will not challenge their lies, who have learned that they can live off of the US taxpayers who are too stupid, blind, naive, brainwashed, or whatever to vote these leeches out of public office.
We also have the GOP who from the day Obama was first elected set their goal to obstruct the any and all efforts of the duly elected president to do what he was elected to do. The Republicans have set out to destroy the Obama administration. They have made it clear that they don't care about America, the American people - they only care about power and money.
The cuts are being managed to cause the most pain for the most people, to generate support against them. Is there anyone who doubts 2% in cuts couldn't have been done so there was little impact on services?
Read an article today on WSJ about how companies won't be hiring because they are making great profits with the much reduced staff they have now.
We got the government we have repeatedly chosen. So now suffer you foolish voters.
I gather this writer is a conservative republican......seems to miss the point that we could solve all our problems by cutting defense spending especially when it comes to outdated weapon systems or systems we do not need and never will. That will generate real economic growth
Democrats in districts with many defense related jobs disagree with you.
congress is SO incompetent and impotent ... and so serve serving
This is Obama's legacy. Community organizing just doesn't cut it.
Do you also remember how all the reporters were going crazy about how the President went golfing with Tiger Woods? Well as everything Obama does, it cost quite a bit in taxpayer dollars. Over $1 million to be more accurate. Many are furious that the President has the nerve to ask lawmakers to make these concessions, where he is not willing to do the same. How can he make these fear inducing claims that many people will lose their jobs, when he is out golfing with a famous womanizer, spending enough money that could have saved 341 jobs from the furlough?
BULL Shiite, you sir are either a liar or blinded by hate. Where did you ever get the notion that the president playing a game of golf is going to cost the tax payers a million dollars. Dont tell me, let me guess....Faux Noise or was it Rush Limbaugh? Perhaps some other hate outlet.
He is our president and can play golf, go bird hunting, or go to a nascar race, its his business !
Lawmakers have sold themselves to the highest bidders and do not care what happens to the rest of us. The highest bidders are corporate executives who do not care what happens to their stockholders or employees. A glut of the ME ME ME ME point of view.
Now that I have been unofficially informed that I will take a 20% cut in pay for the rest of the fiscal year, I wonder if our politicians will also take a 20% cut in their pay for sitting on their ass and not doing anything to curtail this issue? Seriously? I am still thankful I have a job though!! Many will not because of this wonderful mess. "No taxation without representation"?? Where the hell is our representation??
Taxation without representation! How quaint! Next thing you'll want is the right to a trial by a jury of your peers, states sovereignty and an unbiased Supreme Court.
"The problem with the sequester as a tool for keeping spending down (and keep in mind it was designed to be so unpalatable that lawmakers would be forced to find better alternatives) is not the size of cuts, but their nature."
Well, no, Fareed. The problem with the sequester is that it was seen as a plan in the first place. So unbelievably miscalculated, so ill-conceived that we all now suffer the White House's conception of it and the Congress' agreement to go along. Ideological purity is killing America. Why? Because ideologues believe their way is the only way, and even if it takes 20 years to prove, leaving destruction in it's path, that is better than compromising on party "values". We should all be embarrassed. Congress truly believes that it is right and the other 325 million of us are wrong; that they are fighting the good fight that we all can't possibly understand because of the complexity of Washington. We have been duped and until we elect pragmatic people who have a view toward what can be done not just what we can fight about, we will continue to head down this path.
>>>>.......GET THIS THROUGH YOUR THICK SKULLS...........Sequester is here SOLEY DUE TO REPUBLICANS PROTECTING SPECIAL INTERESTS TAX LOOPHOLES..........
.
..........................It IS that simple.............
The party of No has got to Go !
those politicians pretty smart bunch everyone in government gets a cut in wage except the politicians
Bernanke says cuts should come "later". We're way past "later." "Later" was 20 years ago, and we're still talking about "later."
When are the Republicans going to vote for revenue increases? The Republicans have yet to vote on a bill that includes any kind of revenue increases. The only bill congress has voted on has been one to cut taxes. The Republicans keep protecting all their corporate welfare spending. Particularly all the spending they do through the tax code through all the loopholes they've created for this or that favorite campaign donor industry.
Exactly ! Until they do, we have to vote out anyone that has signed that NORQUIST pledge. THe GOP has held this country hostage for way too long. Tea Nuts be damned !
Fareed says "when thinking about government spending it has to rise every year even with no additional functions."
He is wrong. Why must additional population always mean additional expenses? Why can't government encourage improved economic activities, cut public employee union demands, cut illegal immigration, and stop overregulation so that more people means more tax revenue for the government?
Non descresionary accounts have cost of living increases built into them, they raise automatically with inflation, as he points out roughly 2%. You are however correct in that we could "work together" and make changes to implement the tings your are talking about. The problem is one group is relentllessly protecting the rich at the expense of the working class. The GOP has to get rid of that NORQUEST pledge, compromise is a game of give AND take.
I can't decide who is more clueless – Bernanke or Zakaria. Both are advocacting an approach of borrowing time.
Here's a clue, guys – we're out of time to borrow.
They go home and eat. They go home and sleep. They go home and enjoy great pleasures. They get to go to a home! What about me? I have been waiting for help for 16 years. Yet the VA red tape has made my claim a joke when it should ave been a slam dunk case. Still I am living in my car with an iPad. Hoping I can get my service connection so I can start to rebuild my life. I wish I could get a job. If I had my service connection I could get VA Vocational Rehabilitation. Get retrained for some thing I am able to do so I can be more productive. Yet these idiots act like its a personal matter between democrats and republicans. Every one is watching the stupid circus play out and getting disgusted with the fact we paid for the ticket to watch a really poor rendition of silence of the lambs play out in the circus ring. Bulldoze the whole place and rebuild it from the ground up write new laws and force the ones we elect to do their job for the PEOPLE not the bank or corporations. Pathetic. Guess you can tell i'm up set huh? LOL.
More media hype. This is not even a cut. Am I the only one who knows that? (It's a decrease in the planned increase)
Absolutely wrong, it is a reduction in descretionary spending accounts. Increases will occure from Non-Descretionary accounts, ie medicare and SS.
Like I said. Not really a decrease at all.
Correction. Indictment of Obama the machinating Machiavellian monster Muslim president. Admit it Fareed, Your Man Obama is a Muslim. And he's wrecking the country on purpose, the specific intent of removing power from Israel.
Your post is pure ignorance. Mr Obama is on his second term as president and that is you post, you have not watched the Obamas or heard anything he has said in the past four years. All you have is he is muslim and wants the destruction of israel.....un-F'ing believable.
I concur, cnn should really show Obama's drone killing innocent children.
just try and find a Job that lets you work 2 jobs and sleep!Im 54 and lost my job to Nafta!~Thanks Bill clinton!Im making 1/3 of the money I use to and before some clown says its Bushes fault <Clintons both hilary and bill have claimed credit for Nafta being their idea!And yes I am no longer on the unemployment so I dont count either!My taxes went up and my gas is going thru the roof!Thanks Dems for nothing!!
NAFTA was smashed in by Clinton the commie. He was in Russia for long time way back when he was in college. Hillary is a commie. Clinton has a mafia.
Obumma knows that its the oil speculators that keep the gas prices going up!and still they dont do anything about the fraud!yes when you lie about something and make money on it because of your lies its fraud!There is plenty ogf gas and plenty of oil! the refineries have cut production because of the surplus and oil prices have dropped but still the prices keep going up!Thats price gouging which is illegal! but the admin wants us to get so sic of it that we willstart buying electric everything! and they all have their money in oil!
Your seriously showing your ignorance. Oil and gas is traded on the international market, there is little we can do about it. The real fraud is allowing tax breaks for the oil companies when they are making $16 Billion in PROFITS per quarter.
The pharmaceutical industry, big agriculture amd their GMO foods, of course the military complex.
The problem is NOT president Obama, but the GOP/Tea Nuts protecting BIG moneyat the expense of the working class.
last I checked, Obama has a gas guzzler. Obama forced people to go on obamacare and giving trillions in profit to healthcare and pharmaceuticals. Oh is that Obama using the military to drone strike little kids?
The Party of "NO Compromise", has got to Go.
Dowm with the GOP/Tea Nuts !
I wouldn't compromise with a dictator either
Just print more money. Print more and more without thinking twice. We got a printing press, we can buy more and print more
Obama thinks he should have no boundaries. Everyone has boundaries......including the president of the U.S.
Too bad he is unable or unwilling, to learn that basic truth.
The words "stupid" and "American" should not be used in the same sentence. A large majority of our American citizens are highly intelligent, gainfully employed and/or trying to better not only their individual "big pictures", but also are involved as much as is possible in their communities, charities and state-level programs to improve those "big pictures". "Ignorant" and/or "apathetic" should apply; notice, I excluded the word "government". The reason for this exclusion is that I no longer believe "government" is acting in the interest of corporate or personal America; I believe those who comprise "government" at its highest functional level are stuck in a runaway, knee-jerk, cover-your-ass reactionary condition which has spiraled so low that they cannot begin to transform it into a proactive and positive plan. The vast division between parties is indicative of worse things to come; tragically, these ripple effects will continue indefinitely across undefinable lines. The chaotic circus of finger-pointing, allegations, mud-slinging, distraction-based flashpoints, and quick-stepping is overshadowing any possibility of rational, thought-based solutions. In four short decades (my lifetime) I've witnessed dissolution into an abstract, unpredictable future for my grandchildren. My future is secure, not because I am wealthy (far from it) but because I'm prepared for the worst (not through stockpiling). The ingredients of my cautiously optimistic outlook are family, faith, hope and love. Despite all that is or is not happening, I still believe that, united as "the people", we, as a nation, could pull through. As I'm able, I contribute to various components of community outreach and charities, knowing my part is but a drop in the bucket. I vote, knowing electoral colleges, apathy and wealth truly determine the outcome. Apathetic voters (those who are not so current in their knowledge or aware of the consequences of elections) run like lemmings to the words they want to hear from the mouths of politicians they want to listen to because rhetoric is the extent of their research. There are so many stuck points in our present national picture we may never find our way back to true freedom again. That is not so much a negative outlook as it is a researched perspective. I hope the outcome is not what our current trending indicates, for, if it is so, our nation's days, as we've known it for 200+years, are numbered. It pains me greatly to see the impact of a preventable sequester. I served 20 years in defense of freedom and the pursuit of happiness, and know all too well how it feels to take a three-thousand dollar cut in pay, without a solid plan to recover what's lost. I, like millions of us, live paycheck to paycheck, not because of poor planning, but because my military pay and post-military pay weren't substantial enough to support the dynamics of raising a family combined with the day to day unexpected costs that arise regularly, dashing savings accounts and draining investment accounts. My hope is that a collective uprising of intolerance for current developments will begin to morph into a force to be reckoned with–a force that will demand without exception positive steps to protect our national and economic stability, defend our borders, and put a tourniquet on the hemorrhaging job statistics. Looks good on paper, doesn't it? Unfortunately, I haven't the foggiest idea how or at what point to start. Which brings me back to my cautiously optimistic basics: Family, faith, hope and love. And the greatest of these is love. God bless America again, please.
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Great countries should have deficits because they have great responsibilities. Of course, money shouldn't be wasted but just as we use credit cards to get by, so should states. The Stalemate which has set into American politics since the end of the USSR indicates the need for a third party which can act when the other two can't. Its program should be based upon using government properties as collateral for development programs. How much is a park, statue, or bridge worth? These should be plans to create opportunities for private investors- ones who would create newer and better products and programs of their own. The USA is at a point at which government must be used as the means by which new primary investment may be made: roads; canals; high-speed trains; newer and better schools; etc. New wealth is based upon this kind of work and only afterwards can private investment succeed...
The life-cycle cost of an F35 is estimated at $618 million per plane. Our Govt has contracted for 2443 units. Food stamps for a family of 4 is equal to roughly $500/month or 103,000 family units covered for a year. For one plane. This is a choice that the US has chosen planes over people.
Why in Saudi Arabia they forbid Christian to go to mass on Sunday?
hello?