So it looks like the sequestration is really going to happen. Are we really surprised? Before we start the vocal process of complaining about Congress and how we need to drum them out of office, didn’t we just have that opportunity four months ago? That’s right, it is our fault. But how? We have been aware for quite some time and paying more attention to politics than ever. Well, we are paying attention to the mass media’s “metrics driven” interpretation of things happening.
You can’t really blame House Leader (R) John Boehner of Ohio either. Just under half of his party has gone renegade and decided that not compromising is the change that they think will improve our current condition. Is sequestration a really bad thing altogether? We have been hearing now for three years that the time is coming when everyone would have to sacrifice to get us out of this debt and deficit. Many just started paying a 2% tax increase as their contribution; small businesses are maxed to the hilt with new regulations coming down the pike. So maybe this is just the government and public sectors turn to tighten their belts too?
As you can imagine, thanks to the Sunday morning talk shows, the talking points are in full effect. “How can congress be on vacation during a time like this?” “This is a failure in the President’s leadership. It is clearly not a priority for him.” “If the Republicans would compromise we could get something passed.” “This is just the consequence of Democratic leadership for too long.” All fluff and bunk designed to divert attention from the fact that they are all to blame and also have no clue how to really fix everything without the combination of tax increases and spending cuts that was originally proposed by those with common sense on both sides. But instead of that being what was done our congressional leaders have engaged in playground barbarism that is going to make it harder on everyone. Instead of a responsible plan to cut certain portions of the budget in percentages safe for all involved, the Defense Department is going to have to operate with a 15% overall cut. Welcome to you, new Secretary of Defense, consequences abound for you; such as requests from naval leaders to delay deployment of major task forces.
When given this politically beneficial golden ticket the Secretary of Defense approved a request made by leaders of the USS Harry S. Truman Strike Group. “Facing budget uncertainty, including a Continuing Resolution and the looming potential for across-the-board sequestration cuts”, said Pentagon Press Secretary George Little, “This prudent decision enables the U.S. Navy to maintain these ships to deploy on short notice in the event they are needed to respond to national security contingencies,” The consequence here is that now only one, if any, battle group will be there to continue applying pressure to a nuclear ambitious Iran as they threaten our allies in the region. What could be done differently? Perhaps not much!
It could be that it is just time to pay the piper as they say. However, Congress has legitimately faile
