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
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1,346 comments Add your comment
Drudge
February 25th, 2013
2:33 pm
We’ll just keep doing this in perpetuity and things will ultimately work out, right? Forward.
Regnad Kcin
February 25th, 2013
2:34 pm
“O’bozo got his higher taxes with zero cuts. Now it’s cut time.”
You really don’t have a clue, do you? Pick up a newspaper or something, for gods’ sakes. Such ignorance is astounding!
Erwin's cat
February 25th, 2013
2:35 pm
What’s left? Can’t short the power bill, gas bill, water bill, garbage service, cable bill, phone bill, internet service,
You can…turn down the thermostat, turn down the lights,etc, conserve water, cancel cable, cut off 1 phone if you have a land and mobile, and cancel the internet service (If you need it go to starbucks and hangout on their wifi for fee)…
Doggone/GA
February 25th, 2013
2:35 pm
“If I wasn’t ok, I’d be screwed as I’m restricted on the kind of outside employment that I can take on, plus I’d have to get approval for the job.”
And to be blunt about it, for every person working more than one job there’s one or more people not working any.
Jefferson
February 25th, 2013
2:36 pm
Wrong sink, revenue rolls again…
Doggone/GA
February 25th, 2013
2:37 pm
“Such ignorance is astounding!”
Going on what gets posted here regulary, I’d say it’s tpical…not astounding
Welcome to the Occupation
February 25th, 2013
2:37 pm
“O’bozo got his higher taxes with zero cuts. Now it’s cut time”
Now it’s cut time? For the president who is going to have slashed government to levels not seen since the Eisenhower years?
Have you been paying no attention to ANYTHING?
I seriously think if I were running this blog I would institute quarantines for blatant ignorance of this kind. 2 days time in moderation for repeated offenses. Contributes zilch to any kind of debate. Unbelievable.
Doggone/GA
February 25th, 2013
2:38 pm
“What’s left? Can’t short the power bill, gas bill, water bill, garbage service, cable bill, phone bill, internet service,”
YOu might be surprised at how willing some or all of those might be to help you …IF you let them know it advance that you might be facing a cut in income, especially if it’s a temporary cut.
F. Sinkwich
February 25th, 2013
2:41 pm
“For the president who is going to have slashed government to levels not seen since the Eisenhower years?”
Not intended to be a factual statement. **
** KammieSpam. All rights reserved.
Welcome to the Occupation
February 25th, 2013
2:41 pm
One thing’s for sure. If I were Jay Bookman, I would NOT subscribe to this liberal faith that people repeating garbage without censure or challenge to their ability to just keep saying it like it true will ultimately expose the perpetrator for the ignoramus he is and lead to his being shunned. I don’t believe that for second. Truth does NOT just drive out garbage by some mystical law. It has to be cut back occasionally — like weeds in a garden.
Brosephus™ - Desktop but still Multitasking
February 25th, 2013
2:41 pm
And to be blunt about it, for every person working more than one job there’s one or more people not working any.
Yep. If government jobs paid as people “think” they did, you wouldn’t have people getting fired and sent to jail for taking $2000 bribes and stuff like that. I love it how some like to talk about how you can’t get fired in the public sector and get all kinds of sweet benefits, yet they won’t sniff at a government job when challenged to accept employment as a gov’t worker.
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
February 25th, 2013
2:42 pm
The latest brainstorm from the mind of Scott Walker, the twice-elected goggle-eyed homunculus hired by Koch Industries to manage their midwest subsidiary formerly known as the state of Wisconsin, is a “middle-class tax cut,” which, according to Walker, is what he’s all about these days.
Our focus is simple – more prosperity, better performance and true independence,” Walker said in his 40-minute speech. “Our middle class tax cut is a down payment on my goal of reducing the tax burden in our state every year I’m in office. I want to cut taxes over and over and over again until we are leading the country in economic recovery.”
You can see it coming, can’t you?
The top 20% of Wisconsin households – those making more than $90,000 a year – would take home more than half of all of Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed income tax cut, an analysis has found. The top 5% of tax filers – those with incomes above $162,000 – would pull in 20% of Walker’s more than $300 million tax cut.
Voodoo doo-doo.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
February 25th, 2013
2:43 pm
Oh great, just what this blog needs, more weedcons whacking away.
Welcome to the Occupation
February 25th, 2013
2:44 pm
“For the president who is going to have slashed government to levels not seen since the Eisenhower years?”
Not intended to be a factual statement. **”
Yesss.
And are you going to just sit there with that dumb look, expecting me to read your mind, or are you going to venture an argument?
stands for decibels
February 25th, 2013
2:44 pm
Now it’s cut time?
I think he left out a letter.
Granny Godzilla
February 25th, 2013
2:44 pm
F. Sinkwich
February 25th, 2013
2:41 pm
“For the president who is going to have slashed government to levels not seen since the Eisenhower years?”
Not intended to be a factual statement. **
** KammieSpam. All rights reserved.
.
.
.
.
Actually Mr. F, it is accurate.
bman.
February 25th, 2013
2:45 pm
Bro .. .. You’re trying to paint a picture that it’s impossible to adjust. I don’t mean to take a jab at you here, but you post on this board often. And if you’re at work posting here, well….you know where I’m going with that.
btw ….Multitasking is being counterproductive. I think that’s called task-switching.
getalife
February 25th, 2013
2:45 pm
filky has never been right so he is consistent.
Joe Hussein Mama
February 25th, 2013
2:50 pm
getalife — “filky has never been right so he is consistent.”
One can’t expect accuracy or honesty from a Fishwich. All that tartar sauce gets in the way.
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
February 25th, 2013
2:55 pm
filky has never been right so he is consistent.
Witchie-poo.
stands for decibels
February 25th, 2013
2:55 pm
Decent news analysis, terrible headline:
Average Americans are feeling pain of U.S. debt
No, L.A. Times, they are not feeling pain of the U.S. debt. They are feeling pain of idiotic plans to address a nonexistent debt crisis.
Brosephus™ - Desktop but still Multitasking
February 25th, 2013
2:55 pm
You’re trying to paint a picture that it’s impossible to adjust. I don’t mean to take a jab at you here, but you post on this board often. And if you’re at work posting here, well….you know where I’m going with that.
I’m not saying that it’s impossible. I’m saying that one can’t determine the outcome for everybody when you don’t know their personal situation. Yep, I post here often, and right now, I’m on leave because of the birth of my 2nd child. Poke away if you feel that you must. My job details vary by day, even by hour. Some days it’s like watching paint dry while other days I don’t even get a chance to stop long enough to grab a bite to eat or drink.
F. Sinkwich
February 25th, 2013
2:55 pm
“One can’t expect accuracy or honesty from a Fishwich. All that tartar sauce gets in the way.”
The mushroom gun is a smoking cloud. **
** well, you know by now…
Oscar
February 25th, 2013
2:56 pm
Our health care system, including insurance companies, doctors and hospitals and medicar; social security and defnce is where we nee to cut waste and trim the budget. Do it accross the board if it has to be done that way. That would be better than doing nothing at all.
And the aircraft carrier Trumen. Keep it in the Gulf of Mexico or in port in Florida. Those people in Asia it would be going to protect, bring them all home. Station them in the southeast where thay belong. W was right in spending his time protecting South Alabama. That’s where he needed to be.
robert goulet
February 25th, 2013
2:57 pm
Occupation: Really? First, you are wrong. Obama has not “slashed government to levels not seen since the Eisenhower years.” He increased government spending by levels we have not seen since the Eisenhower years. Here is some background: Obama came to office not long after the enormous TARP program was enacted. The TARP program was a one-off emergency spending measure. Obama then continued to spend at the “emergency” levels (actually increased by 1.5%). To say that he grew government spending at levels not seen since Eisenhower is factually accurate, but it does not tell the whole story. Sounds kind of similar to the argument that Obama proposed the sequester, right?
Peadawg
February 25th, 2013
2:57 pm
“nonexistent debt crisis”
Bless your heart.
Brosephus™ - Desktop but still Multitasking
February 25th, 2013
2:57 pm
Multitasking is being counterproductive. I think that’s called task-switching.
It’s only counterproductive to people who are not productive anyway. I’ve taken my daughter to the doctor’s office, gotten medication for her, and put drops in her eyes. I’ve also fixed breakfast and lunch for her. I’ve changed diapers on the week old girl. I’ve been washing, drying, and folding clothes as well. At the same time, I’ve been able to keep up with conversation here.
I’d say that the first half of my day has been pretty productive.
Oscar
February 25th, 2013
2:59 pm
Bro – Keep poking and you will end up with that third daughter. Then you will be happy being able to get some rest at work on those slow days.
Joe Hussein Mama
February 25th, 2013
2:59 pm
K’Chak — “Voodoo doo-doo.”
Just another reason why the state of Wisconsin *itself* predicts a net loss of population via migration through at least 2015.
Joe Hussein Mama
February 25th, 2013
3:00 pm
Fishwich — “The mushroom gun is a smoking cloud.”
Dolla menu item says what?
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
February 25th, 2013
3:01 pm
Some of the debt certainly exists, like the roughly $11.6 trillion owed to foreign and private creditors. But that isn’t the debt anyone’s worried about. If we stopped adding to it tomorrow, the debt as it stands would pose essentially zero threat to the country’s fiscal health, as the ongoing growth of the economy would send our debt-to-GDP ratio dropping like a rock.
So the debt that’s got everyone worried is the part we haven’t yet incurred. And that debt, by definition, does not exist. It’s not a certainty, it’s merely a projection by the Congressional Budget Office. And trying to model how the federal budget, not to mention the entire American economy, will behave years or even decades in the future is a devilishly treacherous business.
gary
February 25th, 2013
3:02 pm
Take it all out of education. The public school teachers dont teach, they are just expensive babysitters. It wont affect test scores or the graduation rates of the public school illiterates.
stands for decibels
February 25th, 2013
3:02 pm
Speaking of great moments in Mainstream Media coverage:
I happened upon a news piece about an apparent plunge in college admissions in Utah, but couldn’t help but look at the “Recommended Videos” sidebar.
Seriously, click the link, and see what Fox “News” Decides it needs to Report.
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
February 25th, 2013
3:02 pm
Just another reason why the state of Wisconsin *itself* predicts a net loss of population via migration through at least 2015.
And this guy will be on a least one primary ballot in 2016.
Skip
February 25th, 2013
3:03 pm
Has anyone addressed Jay’s topic? After eight pages I thought someone might try.
stands for decibels
February 25th, 2013
3:03 pm
Bless your heart.
Feel free to explain why we have to hack away at government spending for the sake of hacking away at government spending, when we know for a fact that it will hurt our recovery and throw more people out of work.
Go ahead, I’m still waiting for someone to explain this “crisis” to me.
JKL2
February 25th, 2013
3:04 pm
appleseed- These old white dudes just can’t accept the president.They would rather destroy the country than work with him.Get with it,and folks will remember come election time.
“Old white dudes” gave the President his tax increases. Time for the President to “get with it” and keep up his end of the bargain.
Brosephus™ - Desktop but still Multitasking
February 25th, 2013
3:04 pm
Oscar: Keep poking and you will end up with that third daughter.
Nah… I realize that God has a great sense of humor. If I keep poking at that goal, I’ll likely end up with twin daughters. A man knows when to say when.
stands for decibels
February 25th, 2013
3:06 pm
…and if you, or any of the usual suspects, links once again to the motherf###ing “debt clock” that apparently fascinates certain lower primates, in response to the question posted by yours truly @ 3.03, I might be forced to smite someone.
bman.
February 25th, 2013
3:07 pm
“Poke away if you feel that you must. My job details vary by day, even by hour. Some days it’s like watching paint dry while other days I don’t even get a chance to stop long enough to grab a bite to eat or drink.”
I probably shouldn’t have poked you on that haha….
However, I don’t know of any jobs where there is nothing to do. That statement reminds me of the time I took a tour of the GM parts warehouse and saw all of the workers sitting around playing cards (on overtime) because there was nothing to do.
I don’t know exactly what it is you do, but I know it’s some sort of top-secret spy stuff
Stevie Ray
February 25th, 2013
3:09 pm
Brosephus™ – Desktop but still Multitasking
February 25th, 2013
3:04 pm
I have three girls…uh…well…at least all of them are teenagers right? High drama to say the least.
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
February 25th, 2013
3:10 pm
… that apparently fascinates certain lower primates…
SQUIRRELL!
peapuppy piddle in 3…2…1….
Keep Up the Good Fight!
February 25th, 2013
3:11 pm
Well its never a fun blog until someone is smitten!
Brosephus™ - Desktop but still Multitasking
February 25th, 2013
3:12 pm
bman.
Peadawg
February 25th, 2013
3:12 pm
stands for decibels
February 25th, 2013
3:06 pm
I don’t remember EVER posting that. Got proof or you just talking out the butt?
Kamspam in 3…2…oh wait he beat me to it
Peadawg
February 25th, 2013
3:13 pm
stands for decibels
February 25th, 2013
3:03 pm
I would ask for your solution but that’s pointless since we don’t have a problem (according to you).
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
February 25th, 2013
3:13 pm
Pavlovian.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
February 25th, 2013
3:14 pm
Maybe that should have been smited?
Joe Hussein Mama
February 25th, 2013
3:14 pm
S. Ray — “I have three girls…uh…well…at least all of them are teenagers right? High drama to say the least.”
You have my sympathies, sir. I don’t believe I could bear up under that high a concentration of estrogen in my house.
Corbin Sharpe. I think, therefore I am...I think.
February 25th, 2013
3:15 pm
Talking about the debt…
http://www.thenation.com/article/173016/fix-debts-fuzzy-math#
Keep Up the Good Fight!
February 25th, 2013
3:15 pm
Kam, how are the T-shirt sales to the fan club? You close to retiring yet?
Doggone/GA
February 25th, 2013
3:16 pm
“btw ….Multitasking is being counterproductive”
Only if you aren’t good at it.
Peadawg
February 25th, 2013
3:16 pm
Kamspam
bman.
February 25th, 2013
3:17 pm
Kam only posts that silly mushroom stuff because he’s a fungi….
JamVet
February 25th, 2013
3:17 pm
Three teenage daughters, SR?
That’s it.
I’ve decided right here and now to cut you a permanent break, going forward. Gawd knows you deserve it! LOL!
More sweet Harrison…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Al4BT_NZmgU
Brosephus™ - Desktop but still Multitasking
February 25th, 2013
3:17 pm
Stevie Ray
Two is enough for me. I have a while before they get to the teenage years, so I should be somewhat prepared by then. The newborn smiled at me when I suggested that daddy should get a new shotgun for Christmas this year.
mm
February 25th, 2013
3:17 pm
The cons are not satisfied with not raising the minimum wage. They want to eliminate it.
And now, Eric Cantor wants to eliminate overtime for hourly workers.
Race to the bottom. Keep the hits coming, GOP. 2014 will be really ugly for you.
If the majority of Americans haven’t figured out that the GOP cares only for corporations, and not for working citizens, then we really are an ignorant country.
stands for decibels
February 25th, 2013
3:18 pm
I don’t remember EVER posting that.
Well, good for you. To be fair, I don’t remember you ever giving me any kind of an answer to my question about this “ZOMG OUR HOUSE IS ON FIRE!” fixation some seem to have about reducing the deficit, which seems to go hand in hand with terror over scary-sounding numbers for the overall national debt.
On the other hand, when you sarcastically post “bless your heart” in response to what I think is an accurate assessment of this “crisis”, I have to assume you at least sympathize with those who are, in fact, terrified of Trillions (and that starts with “T” and that rhymes with “P”, and that spells “Pool”…)
Stevie Ray
February 25th, 2013
3:18 pm
I’ve gone back to read the Phillip Marlowe series from Raymond Chandler…here’s a quote from a character worth 100 million in The Long Goodbye:
“We live in what is called a democracy, rule by the majority of the people. A fine ideal if it could be made to work. The people elect, but the party machines nominate, and the party machines to be effective must spend a great deal of money. Somebody has to give it to them, and that somebody, whether an individual, a financial group, a trade union or what have you expects some consideration in return.”
“Peculiar thing about money. In large quantities it tends to have a life of it’s own. This power becomes very difficult to control. Man is a venal animal and always has been. Population growth, the cost of wars the incessant pressure of confiscatory taxes, all these things make man more and more venal. The average man is tired and scared and a tired and scared man can’t afford ideals…”
It seems none of what we discuss is new ground…
DownInAlbany
February 25th, 2013
3:18 pm
740 comments later and it’s STILL 2.4%…TWO POINT FOUR PERCENT! Point fingers at the Senate, the House or Obama. It’s still 2.4%! The sky is NOT falling! Geez
Brosephus™ - Desktop but still Multitasking
February 25th, 2013
3:19 pm
JamVet @ 3:17
Brosephus™ - Desktop but still Multitasking
February 25th, 2013
3:21 pm
DIA
I don’t recall anybody, other than a few conservatives, making the claim about the sky falling. Personally, those kind of statements are a bit late in my opinion as they gave out Oscars last night.
Peadawg
February 25th, 2013
3:22 pm
“I have to assume you at least sympathize with those who are, in fact, terrified of Trillions”
You’d be right in assuming that. As do most Americans and the rest of the World.
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
February 25th, 2013
3:22 pm
Kam only posts that silly mushroom stuff because he’s a fungi….
Rice acknowledged that “there will always be some uncertainty” in determining how close Iraq may be to obtaining a nuclear weapon but said, “We don’t want the smoking gun to be a mushroom cloud.”
Condoleezza Rice says, “What?”
Doggone/GA
February 25th, 2013
3:22 pm
“TWO POINT FOUR PERCENT! Point fingers at the Senate, the House or Obama. It’s still 2.4%”
You left out the MUCH MORE IMPORTANT PART. That it’s across the board. That’s the part that matters. You want better border patrols for example, why heck cut their budget 2.4%. That’ll improve things for sure.
Peadawg
February 25th, 2013
3:22 pm
Brosephus™ – Desktop but still Multitasking
February 25th, 2013
3:21 pm
We saw your boobs.
DebbieDoRight - Minister Of Propaganda
February 25th, 2013
3:23 pm
Bro: Yep. If government jobs paid as people “think” they did, you wouldn’t have people getting fired and sent to jail for taking $2000 bribes and stuff like that
I’m amazed more people can’t see that correlation. They act like cops and fireman, (as well as other civil servants), don’t have families and bills to pay too.
States/cities are refusing to raise their pay rate, yet continue to give businesess ad well as their cronies breaks.
I’m amazed that Serpico South hasn’t happened full scale yet — amazed and somewhat happy. However, given time, the republicans will eff that up too.
More tax cuts for the rich and for Big Business!!! Firefighters / Police can eat cake!!! — Governor “Really BAd, Effed Up” Deal
First they wring their hands about not having enough money to fund things like for schools and public health care. And then they dole out expensive special-interest tax breaks that ensure that they have trouble funding schools and public health care.
stands for decibels
February 25th, 2013
3:24 pm
I would ask for your solution but that’s pointless since we don’t have a problem
I didn’t say we didn’t have a problem. I just think it is horribly out-of-whack to try to address a very, verrrry long-term issue that can’t be fixed easily, that is best (as far as this macroeconomic non-genius sees it, anyway) handled by keeping an eye on metrics that would indicate that we are, in fact, spinning into some kind of inflation horrorshow. None that I can see would indicate that we are.
I cite, rather too frequently, the T-bill situation, but I’ll say it again–you have to go to a SEVEN year bill to get above a ONE PERCENT return.
Does that sound like the world believes were going to slide into the morass, become the next Zimbabwe or some other horrific basket case? I don’t believe it does. I think it is flat out crazy to allow concerns over debt load to keep us from building stuff people need, increasing educational and medical services to lighten working people’s loads, get them spending more money on stuff to get more people to work, etc.
But, you know… the debt clock. It looks scary, I guess, so we can’t have nice things.
JamVet
February 25th, 2013
3:24 pm
mm, great post.
The poor cons are getting a taste of what the rest of us went through during the Reign of King George W. This song, more than any other, sustained me during those terrible days…
Now the darkness only stays the night-time
In the morning it will fade away
Daylight is good at arriving at the right time
Its not always going to be this grey
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUT8FyzgGe8
Stevie Ray
February 25th, 2013
3:24 pm
Brosephus™ – Desktop but still Multitasking
February 25th, 2013
3:17 pm
Take it from somebody that has 3…2 is an exceptionally good number.
Good thing I have a new strategy…stopped hiding via the “seasonings” of my past. Although the clean version of the ostrich is often quite effective. Learning to listen only and not try to solve a problem is a skill
we are not wired to produce. I finally got it when I realized i can do other things while they are yapping and then ask…”what are you gonna do”?
Also, I beat it into my girls at an early age that all boys are pigs.. we don’t mean anything by it..it’s just the way we are wired…
Doggone/GA
February 25th, 2013
3:24 pm
Got a question: does anyone have the quote from FDR about wanting everything and not having to pay for it? I’ve heard it on a video on TV, but I can’t seem to find it either as a video or transcription.
stands for decibels
February 25th, 2013
3:25 pm
As do most Americans and the rest of the World.
Most Americans have been told by GOPers AND Dems, that they have a debt crisis, so, naturally, when asked if it’s a concern they say it is.
As for the rest of the world, I don’t buy it. See my bit about T-bills.
Peadawg
February 25th, 2013
3:26 pm
“I didn’t say we didn’t have a problem. ”
stands @ 2:55 “nonexistent debt crisis”
Please move the goalposts back before proceeding.
getalife
February 25th, 2013
3:26 pm
Lots of drama but if the gop want to keep going against the majority of the American voters, by all means, proceed gop.
Peadawg
February 25th, 2013
3:27 pm
“I don’t buy it” – Sounds like a personal problem.
bman.
February 25th, 2013
3:27 pm
fungi – fun guy
not exactly a jedi-mind trick…sheesh
That Black Guy
February 25th, 2013
3:27 pm
Joe Hussein Mama
February 25th, 2013
3:14 pm
S. Ray — “I have three girls…uh…well…at least all of them are teenagers right? High drama to say the least.”
You have my sympathies, sir. I don’t believe I could bear up under that high a concentration of estrogen in my house.
________________________
Try 2 daughters, a niece, wife, and a mother in law.
I used to go sit under the freeway overpass for some peace and quiet.
DebbieDoRight - Minister Of Propaganda
February 25th, 2013
3:27 pm
Deal just (tried to) fired those 6 Dekalb School Board Members.
That’s a slippery slope — and only a brain dead person can’t see that — if the people of Dekalb don’t want their elected officials, it’s THEIR RIGHT to recall them — not the Governor’s.
Beware of Republicans bringing gifts.
Doggone/GA
February 25th, 2013
3:28 pm
“stands @ 2:55 “nonexistent debt crisis”
Saying something is not a crises does not equal saying it’s not a problem.
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
February 25th, 2013
3:29 pm
“Why do we always have to take you mom’s car?”
– Thomas “Ridin’ Dirty” Jefferson
Peadawg
February 25th, 2013
3:29 pm
“I think it is flat out crazy to allow concerns over debt load to keep us from building stuff people need, increasing educational and medical services to lighten working people’s loads, get them spending more money on stuff to get more people to work”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oniomania
stands for decibels
February 25th, 2013
3:30 pm
“nonexistent debt crisis”
Yes. I stand by that. I do not believe a crisis exists.
That Black Guy
February 25th, 2013
3:31 pm
Brosephus™ – Desktop but still Multitasking
February 25th, 2013
3:17 pm
Stevie Ray
Two is enough for me. I have a while before they get to the teenage years, so I should be somewhat prepared by then. The newborn smiled at me when I suggested that daddy should get a new shotgun for Christmas this year.
_____________________________________
Bro, take it from me.
You will NEVER be prepared.
Those girls will have so twisted (in a good way) you will look like Broagami.
DebbieDoRight - Minister Of Propaganda
February 25th, 2013
3:32 pm
I used to go sit under the freeway overpass for some peace and quiet
Wow!! that many females in one house!! I’m amazed you can actually speak in coherent sentences after that!
Brosephus™ - Desktop but still Multitasking
February 25th, 2013
3:32 pm
Peadawg
Peadawg
February 25th, 2013
3:32 pm
“Yes. I stand by that. I do not believe a crisis exists.”
And you’re as crazy as people who don’t believe global warming is real.
Stevie Ray
February 25th, 2013
3:33 pm
mm
February 25th, 2013
3:17 pm
I have to be careful suggesting either is above reproach when catering to unions, corporations and rich folk. They always get something in return….look at hollywood or the big banks. We are still giving the latter 83 billion a year..
Both parties benefit by pretty much the same big money. The DEMs are true to form relative to spending money in a battle cry of protecting the “middle class”. How much more spending, without any consideration of waste, can we afford.
The GOP are no different and also play to form…there are some exceptions like the tax cuts under Bush which helped all…even though we couldn’t afford them or at least didn’t know that at the time.
The massive increase in discretionary spending in the last 10 years or so is nothing short of criminal.
stands for decibels
February 25th, 2013
3:33 pm
And the thing is, we are going to get back into balance eventually if we get everyone back to work, and begin to gradually increase some taxes on some things, and impose some spending discipline on some others (the aforementioned pharma, military systems, medical services–and thanks to whomever mentioned the crazy-expensive med school tuition, we should fix that too.)
That Black Guy
February 25th, 2013
3:34 pm
Oh and Bro, I case I didn’t.
Congrats in you recent strengthening of the collective gene pool.
Brosephus™ - Desktop but still Multitasking
February 25th, 2013
3:35 pm
Try 2 daughters, a niece, wife, and a mother in law.
I used to go sit under the freeway overpass for some peace and quiet.
Next time we’re together, Brogami’s got the first round!!!
:lol
Madmax
February 25th, 2013
3:35 pm
It is easy to lead when you don’t demand anything from your supporters. It is much more difficult to lead when you need something. Obama is a master of leading the masses to demand that the “wealthy” pay for it (if you don’t believe that, look at today’s state by state assesments of the sequester and see how many times he uses the word fair and wealthy). Unfortunately, Obama is a disaster in building a sense of compromise or reconciliation. If you start out castigating the people you want help from, you rarely get their help.
stands for decibels
February 25th, 2013
3:37 pm
And you’re as crazy as people who don’t believe global warming is real.
dude. Come on. I have offered you actual metrics you can check, over and over again. Here is the easy-peasy version:
http://www.alternet.org/economy/8-facts-prove-our-govt-not-going-broke
You can go on thinking I’m crazy, but I think you’re just foolishly clinging to this notion that if you straddle the middle on these things that’ll make you “reasonable.”
Whereas, well, you know the old saying–stay in the middle of the road, and you wind up roadkill.
Regnad Kcin
February 25th, 2013
3:37 pm
“I didn’t say we didn’t have a problem. ”
stands @ 2:55 “nonexistent debt crisis”
Please move the goalposts back before proceeding.
==============================
Look up “problem.” Then look up “crisis.”
Always glad to help!
Stevie Ray
February 25th, 2013
3:37 pm
JOE HUSSEIN/BLACK GUY
I only have one that I need to keep off the pole presently.
I trust at least one of them will keep me out of the nursing home. I’ve been to countless tea parties, American Girl fashion shows, to football games to cheer for the cheerleaders, buying tampons in the wee hours, seen temper tantrums over shoes, surgically removed marbles in nose, and stuff I never thought I’d be part of..
Overload of drama but wouldn’t trade them for anything..oh, also have a wife..another story.
DownInAlbany
February 25th, 2013
3:37 pm
Brosephus™ – Desktop but still Multitasking
February 25th, 2013
3:21 pm
Speaking of the Oscars, was the irony of M Obama announcing Argo as the “best picture” lost on this bunch?
DebbieDoRight - Minister Of Propaganda
February 25th, 2013
3:38 pm
The massive increase in discretionary spending in the last 10 years or so is nothing short of criminal.
Two Wars – costing billions a day…………
Big Business subsidies – costing billions per week
Medicare Part D — costing billions per year
AND
Cons b###tching about the budget they cheered on just 7 years ago…
CLASSIC!
Already this session, House members have filed more than a dozen tax-break bills, including one that would make permanent a tax exemption for Gulfstream, the maker of private jets on Georgia’s coast, and other similar companies.
getalife
February 25th, 2013
3:38 pm
It is fun watching the gop destruct.
Let us return to full employment and I could not be happier
Peadawg
February 25th, 2013
3:40 pm
“You can go on thinking I’m crazy” – I will.
Thanks for the suggestion but I prefer the middle of the road to blindly following the Democrats or Republicans.
RB from Gwinnett
February 25th, 2013
3:40 pm
Keep, here’s some good reading for you on Obamacare and what is really happening outside your momma’s basement. http://jobcreatorsnetwork.com/how-obamacare-leaves-your-boss-no-choice-but-to-slash-your-health-care/
You can make jokes all you want, but I promise you every company in this country that’s close to or above that 50 FTE number is having the same conversation at Papa Johns about cutting people’s hours or doing whatever else is required to avoid financial collapse and I’d bet you not a single one of the people this law was supposed to help has a clue about the hammering they’re about to get from their health insurance.
Just so you know to what level of detail some of us are paying attention, the law says I have to provide “affordable” healthcare and defines “affordable” as being no more than 9.5% of an employee’s total houshold income. So, Keep, answer this for me….How in the hell am I supposed to know what my employee’s total houshold income is? Do I now have a right to copies of everybody who lives in their home’s tax returns? Do I have a right to stop by to see who actually lives there and include their income if the appear to “live there”?
You keep making jokes while the rest of us deal with the realities this POS legislation has dumped on the American job creators. When the shat hits the fan, though, Keep, no whining. You’ll get exactly what you deserve.
Erwin's cat
February 25th, 2013
3:40 pm
Pea – And you’re as crazy as people who don’t believe global warming is real.
I’d be 2 for 2 if the debate was about “what” or “who” is causing it