3 reasons Americans shouldn’t worry about sequestration
February 25, 2013 at 9:29 am in News by Dustin Siggins 12 Comments
In his column yesterday, George Will articulately and concisely outlined why the American people should not listen to the Beltway hysteria over sequestration:
First, the alleged cuts (in reality, reductions to expected spending) simply aren’t large when compared to the federal budget:
As in: Batten down the hatches — the sequester will cut $85 billion from this year’s $3.6 trillion budget! Or: Head for the storm cellar — spending will be cut 2.3 percent! Or: Washington chain-saw massacre — we must scrape by on 97.7 percent of current spending! Or: Chaos is coming because the sequester will cut a sum $25 billion larger than was just shoveled out the door (supposedly, but not actually) for victims of Hurricane Sandy! Or: Heaven forfend, the sequester will cut 47 percent as much as was spent on the AIG bailout! Or: Famine, pestilence and locusts will come when the sequester causes federal spending over 10 years to plummet from $46 trillion all the way down to $44.8 trillion! Or: Grass will grow in the streets of America’s cities if the domestic agencies whose budgets have increased 17 percent under President Obama must endure a 5 percent cut!
Second, a succinct summary of how many in Washington have let ideology overcome basic mathematics and fiscal reality – and are pushing it into the media to mislead the American people:
The sequester has forced liberals to clarify their conviction that whatever the government’s size is at any moment, it is the bare minimum necessary to forestall intolerable suffering.
Finally, the biggest reason sequestration is necessary but still inadequate:
The sequester’s critics correctly say it is not the most intelligent way to prune government; priorities among programs should be set. But such critics are utopians if they are waiting for the arrival of intelligent government. The real choice today is between bigger or smaller unintelligent government.
Will is 100% correct. The “cuts” in sequestration are anything but, and given the growth in the size and cost of the federal government over the last seven years, it is long past time the budget was balanced. While sequestration fails to accomplish this goal, it is a good first step in the process. Washington won’t consist of the intelligent government all Americans want until it is slimmed down to its proper, constitutional size.
As March 1 gets ever closer, it is time for the big spenders in Washington to either acknowledge the mathematical realities in the budget, or ideologically ignore them. As Will points out, many are joining the side of ideology, to the severe detriment and harm of the American people.
I worry about sequester – you see it will cost me 20 percent of my paycheck. It will cost several small businesses that I patronize my business as well since I will have to cut non-essential items out of my budget while you and the rest of congress play chicken with our economy. Thank you for absolutely nothing.
I am also a federal employee. Would I prefer to have 100% of my paycheck rather than 80% for the next six months? Sure. Would I prefer 80% of my paycheck to 0% of my paycheck over the same period? Absolutely.
Grow up and realize that this isn’t the end of the world. If the dignity of your government job is so diminished by reducing your hours 20%, go get a job in the private sector and see how well you fare there.
Well said Matt. An intelligent viewpoint in a sea of stupidity.
We’ll see what happens, but Obama and the Liberals have the upper hand. Republicans will be blamed at the end even though it was the President’s idea.
I work for a big defense contractor, and yes we are planning for lay offs on our manufacturing side. Most of these people are lifelong Republicans but not after they lose their jobs. I just hope the Republicans know what they are doing.
so, you guys don’t mind if we turn into Greece
Will – You are comparing a mighty eagle (America) to a tiny little worm (Greece). America is the #1 economy on Earth, the dollar is the World’s currency, people all over the World are still betting on America.
Hellfire the Feds are going to release billions of paper money with no value !
As soon ad this is done we are doomed. America’s dollar will be worthless.
hellfire; you need to wake up and smell the coffee. The way the both parties have been governing, we will be fortunate to be equal to the likes of Greece!
Yes, the country needs to cut spending, but you people have no faith in America comparing us to Greece. Unlike Greece we have the natural resources, innovation and technology to pay our debts. TrueAmerican is more like a FakeAmerican!
Mr. Poundstone,
I find it humorous that you miss the irony of your question. Greece is in a financial mess because Greeks have allowed its government to borrow beyond their ability to pay. Slowing down the amount we borrow and growing our economy are the only things that will keep us from becoming economically like Greece.
Do not let Obama win this one ore the debt limit let it crash.