“Across the board, same cuts” isn’t intelligent, as many programs, valuable ones, can’t continue if reduced any further, even another 5%. Others, bloated programs like farm subsidies (to tobacco!! for example), and yes, “defense” and even “homeland security”, could easily survive a 30% reduction without affecting real functionality. The real problem is the public, and especially that “TEA Party” right wing small segment demanding cuts, has NO CONCEPT of what most government agencies and programs actually do.
For example, cuts to NOAA are touted and that public says , oh, yeah!, but when storms ravage their area, because predictions and warnings weren’t available (like for tsunamis as well) it’s all “government’s fault”. Right.
Many conservative Republicans faithfully recite the talking point, “the dems have not had a budget in years”. *Question: What good were the Republican budgets of 2001 – 2006 when the costs of the wars weren’t in them?*Having a bogus budget for the sake of being able to say you have one is JUST as irresponsible as not having one.
Let it happen. Sooner or later we need to take the hard drop and force congress and Obama to deal with the process. All this delaying and supposed negotiating is so absurd it’s an insult to the American people.
Is it the GOP that wants the sequester? Are they willing to take the blame for the damage it will do?I rather doubt it about being responsible and taking the blame for it.
Obama has submitted a budget EVERY YEAR, as required by law. Romney said he hadn’t “passed” a budget, but of course presidents don’t pass anything, congress does. Congress may have ignored his budgets, but he has submitted them every year. (You can check Politifact if you care to, it’s there.)
Dtroutma about 11 years ago
“Across the board, same cuts” isn’t intelligent, as many programs, valuable ones, can’t continue if reduced any further, even another 5%. Others, bloated programs like farm subsidies (to tobacco!! for example), and yes, “defense” and even “homeland security”, could easily survive a 30% reduction without affecting real functionality. The real problem is the public, and especially that “TEA Party” right wing small segment demanding cuts, has NO CONCEPT of what most government agencies and programs actually do.
For example, cuts to NOAA are touted and that public says , oh, yeah!, but when storms ravage their area, because predictions and warnings weren’t available (like for tsunamis as well) it’s all “government’s fault”. Right.
Marty Z about 11 years ago
Many conservative Republicans faithfully recite the talking point, “the dems have not had a budget in years”. *Question: What good were the Republican budgets of 2001 – 2006 when the costs of the wars weren’t in them?*Having a bogus budget for the sake of being able to say you have one is JUST as irresponsible as not having one.
Mickey 13 about 11 years ago
Let it happen. Sooner or later we need to take the hard drop and force congress and Obama to deal with the process. All this delaying and supposed negotiating is so absurd it’s an insult to the American people.
pam Miner about 11 years ago
Is it the GOP that wants the sequester? Are they willing to take the blame for the damage it will do?I rather doubt it about being responsible and taking the blame for it.
ARodney about 11 years ago
Obama has submitted a budget EVERY YEAR, as required by law. Romney said he hadn’t “passed” a budget, but of course presidents don’t pass anything, congress does. Congress may have ignored his budgets, but he has submitted them every year. (You can check Politifact if you care to, it’s there.)
edward thomas Premium Member about 11 years ago
And the old saw:The President proposes, and Congress disposes.