How sequestration will affect Ga. citizens, businesses
Because of required furloughs and spending reductions for TSA security agents, FAA air traffic controllers, customs agents and other personnel, flight delays of up to four hours are predicted at major airports such as Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.
——————————–
On Friday, March 1, federal spending cuts forced by sequestration will be implemented. The total amount of spending to be cut — $85 billion — is somewhat small, but its impact is magnified by three specific provisions of the sequestration law:
1.) Major budgetary areas such as Social Security, interest on the debt, the Department of Veterans Affairs and military pay are off-limits to cuts. Cuts in Medicare reimbursement are limited to 2 percent. That concentrates spending reductions to remaining portions of the budget.
2.) By law, federal agencies that do face sequestration do not have the ability to pick and choose which programs will be cut or by how much. All cuts must be across the board, by meat cleaver rather than scalpel.
3.) The law requires savings in the current fiscal year, which began in October 2012. Because the required cuts are not being implemented until March, they must be backloaded into the final months of fiscal 2013, compounding the impact. As a result, non-defense discretionary spending will be cut by 9 percent for the remainder of the fiscal year; defense spending will be cut by 13 percent.
As a result of the provisions outlined above, the consequences of the sequestration are relatively simple to project. Here is a sampling of the impact on Georgia, as outlined by the Office of Management and Budget:
Teachers and Schools: Georgia will lose approximately $28.6 million in funding for primary and secondary education, putting around 390 teacher and aide jobs at risk. In addition about 54,000 fewer students would be served and approximately 80 fewer schools would receive funding.
– Education for Children with Disabilities: In addition, Georgia will lose approximately $17.5
million in funds for about 210 teachers, aides, and staff who help children with disabilities.
Military Readiness: In Georgia, approximately 37,000 civilian Department of Defense employees would be furloughed, reducing gross pay by around $190.1 million in total.
– Army: Base operation funding would be cut by about $233 million in Georgia.
– Air Force: Funding for Air Force operations in Georgia would be cut by about $5 million.
Vaccines for Children: In Georgia around 4,180 fewer children will receive vaccines for diseases such as measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus, whooping cough, influenza, and Hepatitis B due to reduced funding for vaccinations of about $286,000.
———————————
Aviation is a major industry in Georgia. Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport boasts the busiest airport in the world, and many businesses are located in the metro Atlanta region because of easy access to Hartsfield. However, spending cuts required by sequestration will greatly reduce the efficiency of the national system. As the OMB reports:
Aviation – At the major gateway airports, average wait times could increase by 30-50 percent. At the nation’s busiest airports, like Newark, JFK, LAX, and Chicago O’Hare, peak wait times could grow to over 4 hours or more.
Aviation security – The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) would reduce its front-line workforce, which would substantially increase passenger wait times at airport security checkpoints. TSA would need to initiate a hiring freeze for all transportation security officer positions in March, eliminate overtime and furlough its 50,000 officers for up to seven days.
Aviation safety – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) would be forced to undergo a funding cut of more than $600 million. This action would force the FAA to undergo an immediate retrenchment of core functions by reducing operating costs and eliminating or reducing services to various segments of the flying community… The furlough of a large number of air traffic controllers and technicians would require a reduction in air traffic to a level that could be safely managed by the remaining staff, resulting in slower air traffic in major cities, as well as delays and disruptions across the country during the critical summer travel season.
—————————————-
Other impacts, also as reported by OMB:
Small business assistance – Small Business Administration (SBA) loan guarantees would be cut by up to approximately $900 million, constraining financing needed by small businesses to maintain and expand their operations and create jobs.
Oil and gas permitting – Development of oil and gas on Federal lands and waters would slow down, due to cuts in programs at the Department of the Interior (DOI) and other agencies that plan for new projects, conduct environmental reviews, issue permits and inspect operations. Leasing of new federal lands for future development would also be delayed, with fewer resources available for agencies to prepare for and conduct lease sales.
Veterans services – Although the Department of Veterans Affairs is exempt from sequestration, the Department of Labor’s Veterans Transition Assistance Program, which serves over 150,000 veterans a year, would have to reduce operations – leaving thousands of transitioning veterans unserved as they move from active duty to civilian life. The Jobs for Veterans State Grants Program would also experience cuts, translating into a reduction in the capacity to serve tens of thousands of veterans in their efforts to find civilian employment.
Title I education funds – Title I education funds would be eliminated for more than 2,700 schools, cutting support for nearly 1.2 million disadvantaged students. This funding reduction would put the jobs of approximately 10,000 teachers and aides at risk. Students would lose access to individual instruction, after-school programs, and other interventions that help close achievement gaps.
Senior meals – Federally assisted programs like Meals on Wheels would be able to serve 4 million fewer meals to seniors. These meals contribute to the overall health and well-being of participating seniors, including those with chronic illnesses that are affected by diet, such as diabetes and heart disease, and frail seniors who are homebound. The meals can account for 50 percent or more of daily food for the majority of participants.
Mental health and substance abuse services – Cuts to the Mental Health Block Grant program would result in over 373,000 seriously mentally ill adults and seriously emotionally disturbed children not receiving needed mental health services. This cut would likely lead to increased hospitalizations, involvement in the criminal justice system, and homelessness for these individuals. In addition, close to 8,900 homeless persons with serious mental illness would not get the vital outreach, treatment, housing, and support they need through the Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH) program.
FBI and other law enforcement – The FBI and other law enforcement entities would see a reduction in capacity equivalent to more than 1,000 federal agents. This loss of agents would significantly impact our ability to combat violent crime, pursue financial crimes, secure our borders, and protect national security.
Customs and border patrol – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) would not be able to maintain current staffing levels of border patrol agents and CBP officers as mandated by Congress. CBP would have to reduce its work hours by the equivalent of over 5,000 border patrol agents and the equivalent of over 2,750 CBP officers.
– Jay Bookman
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,346 comments Add your comment
DownInAlbany
February 25th, 2013
12:23 pm
The GOP has offered to give the Prez the authority to “spread” the cuts around to his pleasure. What say, you, libs?
getalife
February 25th, 2013
12:23 pm
nero,
The turtle will cave again as Wall Street yawns.
Brosephus™ - Desktop but still Multitasking
February 25th, 2013
12:24 pm
TBS
————–
Stevie Ray
Those things seem to have been wiped out of the collective memories of many people here. The GOP has been playing this game with Obama since he took office. I’ve called him spineless because, just as I predicted, when the GOP realized they could sucker him with this crap, they would pull this stunt every chance they got.
If it were my decision to make, I would go on national tv and claim that the GOP had the perfect answer to all our problems and that I was enacting every single policy they’ve suggested with no deviation. I would then let the GOP cut the sh*t out of the budget and f**k up the economy on their own. Maybe then, people will snap out of this party sh*t and realize how politicians are the ones f**king everything up.
Stevie Ray
February 25th, 2013
12:24 pm
Steve
February 25th, 2013
12:20 pm
You couldn’t be more right. Obama should be the only one sitting on his ass (unless out in front of a bunch of prospective victims like first responders and ship builders)…he clearly always takes the high ground.
You really believing all of this gloom doom and despair?
Jeffrey
February 25th, 2013
12:24 pm
Ok, let’s say these cuts go through and they do mess up the economy. How are republicans then going to fight for further cuts? They have accomplished their goal, they have starved the beast, it’s fun watching them find out that people don’t want more cuts.
getalife
February 25th, 2013
12:24 pm
No.
Steve
February 25th, 2013
12:24 pm
And i’ll steal this quote…
“There’s no question that President Obama and congressional Democrats shoulder some of the responsibility for getting us to this point. But for the most part, the thing they’ve done wrong is failing to fight against insane Republican ideas—and to assume that today’s GOP is capable of operating in good faith. But what Republicans are doing here is going after one group of vulnerable Americans to screw over another group of vulnerable Americans, and this pattern of destructive crisis after destructive crisis isn’t going to stop until they stop.”
Seriously Folks
February 25th, 2013
12:24 pm
@Keith. YES it was his idea (and I stand corrected, he didn’t “vote” for it, but did sign the legislation). But tell me this. But if you are insinuating that the Republicans in Congress negotiated in good faith to avert this trigger, then you are not being honest.
Negotiations are exactly what the word means…give and take! I HIGHLY doubt anyone on here has purchased a home or a car by just saying, “gee, sounds good to me what you are asking for”…no…you negotiated. Now if the seller told you I will listen to your counter-offer, but NEVER budges on their original deal…what would you do? (apparently most on here seem to think the seller is the rational one!)
And finally..spare me the sophomoric name calling like “King Obama”…if you think THIS is somehow and authoritarian government, you are truly delusional!
JamVet
February 25th, 2013
12:25 pm
I’m always glad when the perverse campaign season is over or course, but still, I kinda miss Mitt “Michael Dukakis” Romney and his sidekick Eddie Munster…
Stevie Ray
February 25th, 2013
12:26 pm
Brosephus™ – Desktop but still Multitasking
February 25th, 2013
12:24 pm
AGREED…if I were devout GOP, I’d give Obama every single thing he asked for as well. At least then the metrics would be clear and agreed upon.
Steve
February 25th, 2013
12:26 pm
Stevie Ray – you will be the first to point out unemployment rising and the economy sinking thanks to these measures that were so bad and such a last resort that nobody was supposed to support them…but alas, the GOP is that screwed up in Congress. EVen Republican governors are pushing for this to not happen.
Joe Hussein Mama
February 25th, 2013
12:28 pm
Keith — “Now if only obama would tell them sticking your head under water until your lungs will up with water is a good idea.”
Wishing death on your political opponents?
What a pathetic little person you are.
Go join the Taliban; they seem to think the same way you do.
Brosephus™ - Desktop but still Multitasking
February 25th, 2013
12:28 pm
The GOP has offered to give the Prez the authority to “spread” the cuts around to his pleasure. What say, you, libs?
Not a lib, but I think Congress should do their damned job themselves, including the GOP dealing with budgetary measures as long as they control the House. If they don’t want to do their job, why don’t they just resign and let someone, who really want’s to get things done, do the work for them?
Nero
February 25th, 2013
12:28 pm
getalife,
But the House won’t so just tighten your belt a little more.
stands for decibels
February 25th, 2013
12:28 pm
It’ won’t register my screen name for whatever reason…
Really? It wouldn’t let you register “Erwins_Cat”, even?
Stevie Ray
February 25th, 2013
12:29 pm
Brosephus™ – Desktop but still Multitasking
February 25th, 2013
12:24 pm
If two cents on every dollar is the “sh@t” we are all in trouble. As I understand it, many departments already have plans in place to make the cuts without the type of impact being suggested.
If sequester happens (25:1), we will finally have the showdown of showdowns..
getalife
February 25th, 2013
12:29 pm
cons,
When are you going to surrender to President Obama and fix your failed party?
Mick
February 25th, 2013
12:30 pm
reverie
**The Republicans didn’t add this much debt in all of their administrations COMBINED**
I see the lie, that won’t die, keeps on…
Nero
February 25th, 2013
12:31 pm
Right after they take the Senate in 2014
Brosephus™ - Desktop but still Multitasking
February 25th, 2013
12:31 pm
Stevie Ray
If you look closely, Obama’s following the Reagan method. Defense spending took us out of the recessions of the 80s. We don’t need more defense spending now, but our infrastructure could damn well use updating. Imagine how hard it will be for businesses to function and profit when roads, bridges, the power grid, etc… are all f**ked up beyond repair.
Welcome to the Occupation
February 25th, 2013
12:31 pm
Uncle Samantha: “CAN’T COMPARE GREECE TO THE U.S.
TWO DIFFERENT SITUATIONS…………..
EVERYONE WILL STILL FIANCE OUR DEBT LIKE THEY DO JAPAN WHO IS 230% IN DEBT TO GDP……..”
What are you a Keynesian or something?
UNCLE SAMANTHA
February 25th, 2013
12:32 pm
LIBERAL ILLOGIC
NO CUTS IN SPENDING NOW…….. YOU’LL RUIN THE ECONOMY
NO CUTS WHEN TIMES ARE GREAT…….. WE HAVE THE MONEY TO HELP OTHERS
SO THE QUESTION BECOMES
WHEN DO LIBERALS THINK ITS TIME TO CUT SPENDING???
TiredOfIt
February 25th, 2013
12:32 pm
Joe Hussein Mama
February 25th, 2013
12:28 pm
Keith — “Now if only obama would tell them sticking your head under water until your lungs will up with water is a good idea.”
Wishing death on your political opponents?
What a pathetic little person you are.
Go join the Taliban; they seem to think the same way you do
++
And when you, leave grab Ted Cruz while your at it.
so hypocritical book
February 25th, 2013
12:33 pm
WAAAA
My name’s Barry and I am taking my ball and going home since I cannot have my way
Stevie Ray
February 25th, 2013
12:34 pm
Brosephus™ – Desktop but still Multitasking
February 25th, 2013
12:28 pm
We both know that congress doesn’t want to do their job so the pipe dreams we speak of are not practical as the incentives are not in its favor. Not unlike Sisyphus…except they always remain under the rock. Hey I think I just made a funny.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
February 25th, 2013
12:34 pm
So now the GOP default is not to stop the “devastating sequestration” that they demanded be passed to force budget cuts but to transfer power to Obama to decide where the cuts should be made, so that they can blame Obama for the cuts made that they forced rather than deal with the hard decisions themselves.
Yep…sounds like the plan. They want to continue to combine the Congress and the Presidency until they get their king.
getalife
February 25th, 2013
12:34 pm
Japan is a good example because they are trying stimulus.
I think Japan will be fine.
Stevie Ray
February 25th, 2013
12:35 pm
Keep Up the Good Fight!
February 25th, 2013
12:34 pm
Based on your comments, you should root for cliff diving. At least then your party will make it certain and everyone will know who is the lion versus lamb…
Brosephus™ - Desktop but still Multitasking
February 25th, 2013
12:36 pm
Stevie Ray @ 12:24
Have you ever had to deal with a bully? The sequester will take money out of the economy, an economy that depends on consumption to grow. Less money in means less growth. Cutting spending is not going to put more money into the pockets of taxpayers.
At the same time, if Obama keeps allowing the GOP to bully him, this country will really get f**ked over. That’s why I posted what I said at 12:24 because the only way to stop a bully is to punch them dead in the nose. Either that, or, kick them in the nuts and rub their faces in dog sh*t. You can’t talk, debate, or negotiate with a bully.
UNCLE SAMANTHA
February 25th, 2013
12:36 pm
Welcome to the Occupation
February 25th, 2013
12:31 pm
Uncle Samantha: “CAN’T COMPARE GREECE TO THE U.S.
TWO DIFFERENT SITUATIONS…………..
EVERYONE WILL STILL FIANCE OUR DEBT LIKE THEY DO JAPAN WHO IS 230% IN DEBT TO GDP……..”
What are you a Keynesian or something?
======================================================================
TARGETED KEYNESIAN
TARGETED BUDGET CUTTER
CONTRARY TO LIBERALS AND CONSERVATIVES……. YOU CAN DO BOTH AT THE SAME TIME
getalife
February 25th, 2013
12:38 pm
The time to cut was under w before the collapse but w chose to blow out the deficit instead.
w had a rubber stamp congress that would pass cuts easily.
You missed your chance con and cheered him on so zip it hypocrites.
wahoo
February 25th, 2013
12:39 pm
Thank you, Stevie Ray at 11:36. I further agree that kicking the can is more likely than sequestration, but I would place the sequestration odds higher than you do.
Uncle Samantha at 11:48: Yes, I want the government to be more efficient and effective. I think everybody should feel that way, regardless of political persuasion.
Personally, I think the cuts will have a minimal effect, and through targeted stimulus the natural economic deceleration caused by reduced government spending could easily be overcome in a way that would be deficit neutral, or even deficit reducing.
During periods of austerity, one also needs to foster growth or the austerity will put downward pressure on GDP growth. IMHO, this is the part that Europe is currently getting wrong vis a vis their austerity measures.
williebkind
February 25th, 2013
12:40 pm
When one states the main stream media is to blame for not reporting the truth about Obama, the liberals reply with a list of conservative stations that reaches only portion of the masses. You always hear what the republicans are doing in detail but rarely hear what Obama and the liberal democrats have done. The media is biased and should be treated as if it was “gun control”. We should have debates and a consensus that the media must report facts to inform the public and should express explicitly when it is broadcasting opinions. This sequester is good and hopefully it will start the downsizing of an over spending government. Now it is time to replace those liberals in the blue states who tax and spend as if there are no limits.
Nero
February 25th, 2013
12:42 pm
Yeah cause Japan has been so successful for the past 20 years. Give it a rest.
williebkind
February 25th, 2013
12:43 pm
“The sequester will take money out of the economy, an economy that depends on consumption to grow.”
Where is that money coming from in the first place? Is that money just going to disappear….puff gone!
That money will be in the economy where it belongs and not in the president’s or congress’s hands.
Nero
February 25th, 2013
12:44 pm
It’s coming and you can’t stop it. Adapt and overcome.
getalife
February 25th, 2013
12:44 pm
Japan chose austerity first too.
Now, they are trying stimulus.
The outcomes of these actions are out there if you choose to research them
getalife
February 25th, 2013
12:46 pm
The OWS crowd likes what Iceland did after the collapse.
Ivan
February 25th, 2013
12:46 pm
“w had a rubber stamp congress that would pass cuts easily.”
So did Obama
williebkind
February 25th, 2013
12:47 pm
“We don’t need more defense spending now, but our infrastructure could damn well use updating.”
We could spend less on the military but not much less! However, I do think money toward infrastructure is a good idea as long as unions are not receiving the nod to get all the fact juicy high priced contracts. We can do it better and cheaper with more diverse contractors than with unions.
Erwin's cat
February 25th, 2013
12:47 pm
stands fo dB – Really? It wouldn’t let you register “Erwins_Cat”, even?
Nope…I tried all other combos i could think of too
UNCLE SAMANTHA
February 25th, 2013
12:48 pm
NERO— I’VE BEEN RANTING FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS THAT WE WILL HAVE LOST DECADES LIKE JAPAN…….
WE ARE DOING THE EXACT SAME ACTIONS THEY DID WHEN THEY HAD A HOUSING BUBBLE AND THEIR POPULATION AGED
THEY HAVE NO GROWTH AND THE MULTINATIONALS PROSPER BUT HAVE HUGE DEBT AND THE MIDDLE CLASS IS STAGNATE
BUT THEY AREN’T GOING TO COLLAPSE LIKE SOME WARN ABOUT US
JUST SLOWLY FADE INTO IRRELEVANCY
Keep Up the Good Fight!
February 25th, 2013
12:49 pm
Stevie, pardon me if I ignore your assessment, I have not found your evaluations to be very astute or insightful.
Frankly I expect the sequestration to happen because of GOP stupidity.
Tom( Viet Vet-USAF)
February 25th, 2013
12:49 pm
I’m shocked, I posted at 9:43a and none of you libs have attacked me as you usually do? What is it, you have bigger fish to fry or actually agree with me somewhat? Stunned, perhaps Jay and his minions are in sick-bay? If so, get well soon, I miss your come-backs.
Nero
February 25th, 2013
12:49 pm
There is no outcomes to research. Japan has been flailing for the past two decades from their asset bubble bursting. Just suck it up and deal. That’s all you have left. Obama’s gambit failed and now we all have to eat a sh*t sandwich without the bread. We’ll live and come out better for it.
getalife
February 25th, 2013
12:50 pm
“So did Obama”
His focus is on job growth but he has to act alone .
JKL2
February 25th, 2013
12:50 pm
obama came up with sequestration so I’m sure it is a brilliant, well thought out program. I can’t wait for it to go into effect.
PS: the bridge program to get us to obamacare is now 40% under-funded. I’m sure that in no way represents anything having to do with obamacare. That will be a wonderful program that saves millions of lives and lowers our insurance costs..
UNCLE SAMANTHA
February 25th, 2013
12:50 pm
getalife
February 25th, 2013
12:44 pm
Japan chose austerity first too.
Now, they are trying stimulus.
The outcomes of these actions are out there if you choose to research them
======================================================================
INCORRECT
JAPAN CHOSE TO SAVE THEIR BANKS WHO WERE TOO BIG TO FAIL
THEY SAVED THEM THEN DID OVER 12+ YEARS OF STIMULUS………
THEY TRIED A PAINLESS RECOVERY AND WRECKED THEIR ECONOMY
JUST LIKE WE ARE DOING
Oscar
February 25th, 2013
12:51 pm
Still time to allow some flexibility in the cuts.
Those who believe the smaller the government the btter should, however. This will reduce the size of government. So would firing half our police force and all our firmen. Smaller the better.
getalife
February 25th, 2013
12:52 pm
“There is no outcomes to research.”
Lazy and closed minded con.
stands for decibels
February 25th, 2013
12:52 pm
Nope…I tried all other combos i could think of too
Well, that certainly blows chunks.
Nero
February 25th, 2013
12:52 pm
Iceland, an island economy with a population less than Atlanta. Keep flailing and stomping your feet.
getalife
February 25th, 2013
12:53 pm
sam,
Dead wrong as usual.
Nero
February 25th, 2013
12:53 pm
Self-deluded lib. Keep crying.
Doggone/GA
February 25th, 2013
12:53 pm
ErwinsCat will register…try it
williebkind
February 25th, 2013
12:54 pm
“Because of required furloughs and spending reductions for TSA security agents, FAA air traffic controllers, customs agents and other personnel, flight delays of up to four hours are predicted at major airports such as Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.”
Why are there delays? Because everyone traveling must bring their clothes closet along with them. If it is so important to have a wardrobe for breakfast, lunch, dinner and entertainment then shut up and go sit for four hours. You cause the delay with all your accessories.
Cordo-Roy
February 25th, 2013
12:54 pm
Wasn’t it Mr. Obama who signed the sequestration legialation into law? Noe HE wants out of it??? Doesn’t compute.
UNCLE SAMANTHA
February 25th, 2013
12:55 pm
Oscar
February 25th, 2013
12:51 pm
Still time to allow some flexibility in the cuts.
Those who believe the smaller the government the btter should, however. This will reduce the size of government. So would firing half our police force and all our firmen. Smaller the better.
====================================================================
SINCE WHEN HAS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HIRED AND FIRED LOCAL POLICE AND FIRE PERSONNEL???
Brosephus™ - Desktop but still Multitasking
February 25th, 2013
12:55 pm
Where is that money coming from in the first place? Is that money just going to disappear….puff gone!
That money will be in the economy where it belongs and not in the president’s or congress’s hands.
Geez… Let’s see. We borrow $.40 of every $1 we spend, right? Cutting $.02 is somehow supposed to remain in the economy? That’s the most ignorant sh*t I’ve seen today. The money ain’t in the economy in the first place, so how in the hell can it remain there?
Jack ®
February 25th, 2013
12:55 pm
I didn’t have time to read all the comments, but surely someone said that the sequestration will put a dent in the impending increases: It’s not a reduction in current spending.
getalife
February 25th, 2013
12:55 pm
There is another way to sign in using different accounts to use your original name.
I will use google and use gotalife.
Get Real
February 25th, 2013
12:55 pm
Jay…you just keep on living in your “Obama is Great” dream world
Bless your heart
Arms Akimbo
February 25th, 2013
12:55 pm
The sequester represents approximately 2% of the annual Obama budget or 9 days of Federal spending. Any competant middle manager could find ways to economize with a $3.6 Trillion budget. Unfortunately, we have come to expect only the partisan blame game from the Obama administration. He is more concerned about setting up his own personal Super-pac than addressing the problems facing the country. Obama reminds me of a story a friend who worked at a too big to fail bank a few years ago told me. My friend said that the bank’s IT dept. had an unwritten rule that you could never actually complete a project. The feeling was that if you accomplshed a goal, then the bank would no longer need you and there would be layoffs. Obama functions in very much the same way. He moves from crisis to crisis, never accepting responsibility, yet always declares that Government is the solution- and there is never any realistic closure. All of this would not be a problem if GDP was growing faster than 2%. At the end of the day, the economy is Obama’s true enemy, not the GOP. All the name calling Axelrod spin games will not alter the fact that the Obama platform has produced one fo the most mediocre periods of U.S. productivity in history.
KEITH
February 25th, 2013
12:55 pm
obama supported sequester before he opposed it. liberals jump on the obama train, then when he crashes the train they blame….the gop.
That Black Guy
February 25th, 2013
12:56 pm
Steve
February 25th, 2013
12:17 pm
When it comes to spending money, Congress is in charge—not the president. If you Confederates are not aware of that, perhaps you ought to take a look at Article I, Section 8 of a little document called the United States Constitution.
_____________________________________
Steve, your post should put an end to posts like:
Bush spent Clinton’s surplus…
Bush’s medicare Part D spent…
Bush’s NCLB cost…
If congress spends the money now, they spent the money *THEN*.
Right?
Brosephus™ - Desktop but still Multitasking
February 25th, 2013
12:56 pm
However, I do think money toward infrastructure is a good idea as long as unions are not receiving the nod to get all the fact juicy high priced contracts. We can do it better and cheaper with more diverse contractors than with unions.
Lockheed says WHAT???
williebkind
February 25th, 2013
12:57 pm
It is up to the media to blame the bad side of the sequester on conservatives and the good things about it is to be given credit to the liberals. Now that is unfair and unbalanced! And you dont get to decide.
getalife
February 25th, 2013
12:57 pm
rush is right.
The libs won.
Deal with it.
stands for decibels
February 25th, 2013
12:57 pm
Tom( Viet Vet-USAF), you say “I’m shocked” because you got no reply to this.
The President and Democrats got the tax increase on the wealthy(high achievers, as some would say), but they now object to the spending cuts as agreed upon earlier. I’m just a simple man(as Bill OReilly would say) but even though this may be painful, doesn’t things have to be cut if you do not have the money to pay for it?
Ok, since you asked nicely, I will reply.
for the bazillionth time: No. This is not a household budget. This is the richest, most powerful nation ever on earth, and if we need to print more money to pay for stuff–money that people are lending to us for free, i.e. less than the rate of inflation–we should continue to do it.
As long as millions of Americans are still out of work and hurting, people who want to work but cannot, I don’t give a crap if the ledgers are filled in with red or black ink, and no responsible American should either.
Alas, no responsible Americans appear to be in charge. As stated earlier, we are ruled by horrible, horrible people.
Nero
February 25th, 2013
12:59 pm
getalife’s histrionic anthem
http://youtu.be/ntLsElbW9Xo
BSNBC
February 25th, 2013
12:59 pm
It’s all the Republicans fault even though it was President Obama’s idea!
williebkind
February 25th, 2013
12:59 pm
“Lockheed says WHAT???”
Who is Lockheed?
Erwin's cat
February 25th, 2013
12:59 pm
Well, that certainly blows chunks
I did get “ErwinsCat” to work
getalife
February 25th, 2013
1:00 pm
You should know the global economy depends on credit to keep running.
Government spending keeps our economy growing.
End the spending ends our recovery.
It is not rocket science.
It is common sense.
stands for decibels
February 25th, 2013
1:00 pm
I did get “ErwinsCat” to work
Success. Yay.
see you on the other side, then…
Erwin's cat
February 25th, 2013
1:00 pm
Doggone…great minds and all
Granny Godzilla
February 25th, 2013
1:01 pm
williebkind
February 25th, 2013
12:40 pm
When one states the main stream media is to blame for not reporting the truth about Obama, the liberals reply with a list of conservative stations that reaches only portion of the masses. You always hear what the republicans are doing in detail but rarely hear what Obama and the liberal democrats have done.
.
.
.
.
Does your TV only have FOX?
Does your radio only have FOX?
Amazing things happen when one discovers the myriad of media outlets.
Many of us have already figured that out, why not give it a try?
Brosephus™ - Desktop but still Multitasking
February 25th, 2013
1:01 pm
Who is Lockheed?
Is your google broken or is a search engine considered too liberal for you to use? Some of y’all conservatives are the laziest, most ignorant people around.
http://www.lockheedmartin.com/
williebkind
February 25th, 2013
1:02 pm
stands for decibels
February 25th, 2013
12:57 pm
Wow! Unbelievable!!!!!
Soothsayer
February 25th, 2013
1:02 pm
Here is everything you need to know about deficits and spending.
If you can, tell what you call the shape of the “red” line. Is it parabolic? Is it the result of exponential growth in spending? Can it continue before our economy collapses?
Could we somehow get along with what we were spending in 2003? If we could, we would have a balanced budget.
williebkind
February 25th, 2013
1:04 pm
Oh Lockheedmartin! You talking about the small cut in military spending on weapons we really dont need or want. I thought you had a union I did not know about.
williebkind
February 25th, 2013
1:06 pm
I have a rather slow ISP and googling really slows things down. I should start my own blog library so I could cut and paste really neat responses.
I do have the solution
February 25th, 2013
1:06 pm
CUT the ENTIRE salaries of Congressmen, their admin. persons, Senators, their admin. persons, the WHITE HOUSE STAFF, the POTUS,his wife’s ARMY of staffers, their travel schedule and then and ONLY THEN, will they FINALLY understand that taxpayers have had enough.
DEADBEATS always desire producers to support them. MARXISM will NEVER Work, because Russia had almost 90 years of it and it collapsed of it’s own weight.
stands for decibels
February 25th, 2013
1:08 pm
http://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2013/02/23/state-medicaid-expansion/1939713/
The recent addition of three governors to the small gang of Republican leaders opting into the Medicaid expansion may represent a tipping point. For economic, moral and health reasons, let’s hope so.
getalife
February 25th, 2013
1:08 pm
“Washington Holding Back Economy, 95 Percent Of Economists Agree” HP
Proceed gop.
That Black Guy
February 25th, 2013
1:08 pm
TiredOfIt
February 25th, 2013
12:32 pm
++
And when you, leave grab Ted Cruz while your at it.
______________________________
You seem really butthurt over Ted Cruz (a JUNIOR Senator with NO power).
Did he use you and then didn’t call like he promised?
stands for decibels
February 25th, 2013
1:09 pm
I do have the solution
no, you don’t. You have emotion and little else.
Nero
February 25th, 2013
1:10 pm
Time to shut off the credit spigot. It’s over. Adapt or keep crying.
hind tit
February 25th, 2013
1:10 pm
Everything that’s been said is on record for the last four years and most of it’s on video tape and who said it but nobody likes to talk about that. Why is that?
Rightwing Troll
February 25th, 2013
1:10 pm
“Still waiting on the outrage from the left and Bookman on this. I remember when it was $1.80, and the looney left, including Jay, wanted Bush impeached.
My oh my…how the times have changed. Or…is it still Bush’s fault?”
Oh yeah… PLEASE bring back 2007 and that $1.80/gal gas…
Lying crank,
If you had a modicum of understanding on economics, you’d see that the $1.80/gal gas during the Bush economic meltdown was bad, and that today’s prices show the economy is recovering quite nicely. The simple fact that big oil is back up to it’s old tricks, raising gas prices just before spring break driving season commences, shows how they believe the economy is strong enough to go back to raping us (legitimately) and reaping record profits while blaming it all on liberals and regulations…
Granny Godzilla
February 25th, 2013
1:10 pm
Groucho Marxism?
Working since 1890…
Brosephus™ - Desktop but still Multitasking
February 25th, 2013
1:11 pm
You talking about the small cut in military spending on weapons we really dont need or want. I thought you had a union I did not know about.
NO, I’m talking about unions benefitting from those “fact juicy high priced contracts” that you were bitching about earlier. Just who do you think puts those F-22’s and C-130’s together? It damn sure ain’t white collar workers in suits. If you think “We can do it better and cheaper with more diverse contractors than with unions”, then why don’t you try selling that crap in Marietta, GA? I would pay good money for a ticket to see you spout that stuff up there.
NotME
February 25th, 2013
1:12 pm
Besides Meals on Wheels not too bad.
Steve
February 25th, 2013
1:14 pm
I’m telling you, you Confederates will be the first ones screaming when these cuts directly affect you and your personal economy. But hey, keep voting for tax cuts for the wealthy!
Steve
February 25th, 2013
1:15 pm
Now back to the REAL WORLD:
“President Barack Obama’s deficit reduction plan, which includes new revenues in addition to spending cuts, would be a “much better course, economically and substantively” than the sequester, Furman said. The president’s proposal would achieve $1.8 trillion in deficit reduction, made up of roughly $1.1 trillion in spending cuts and $680 billion in new revenues drawn from limiting deductions and closing tax loopholes for the wealthiest Americans.
White House senior advisor Dan Pfeiffer said the blame will fall squarely on House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) if the sequester kicks in, since they aren’t budging in accepting new revenues that stem from higher taxes on the wealthy.
“Republicans are making a policy choice that these are cuts are better for the economy than closing loopholes that benefit the wealthy,” Pfeiffer said on the same call Sunday. The American people, he said, “overwhelmingly disagree with that choice.”"
straitroad
February 25th, 2013
1:16 pm
Jay, would you like to run this one by us again, complete with updated charts?
http://blogs.ajc.com/jay-bookman-blog/2012/05/01/hey-what-happened-to-the-political-frenzy-over-gas-prices/
Marty Huggins'
February 25th, 2013
1:18 pm
2.4%
Really we can’t deal with 2.4% less?
Please don’t give me the scalpel approach,
We heard way back in ‘08 that Obama intended to use a scalpel with the budget.
But after 4+ and no biopsies or surgical procedures he has instead offed up an amputated toe and a finger.
getalife
February 25th, 2013
1:18 pm
Velshi just called jindal a liar on cnn.
Too funny
Oscar
February 25th, 2013
1:19 pm
Across the board cuts with no discretion always make for poor results. Four more – or is it three – to make some sensible changes, If anyone is interest in doing something sensible. Sometimes does not appear to be anyone home.
Oscar
February 25th, 2013
1:20 pm
four or three more dyas, that is.