Sequestration? What are YOU doing to prepare for it?

[ironman870]

Im just a dumb kid and have NO idea what sequestration is. Sounds like something a doe does during the rut.

 

[DC47374]

Nada.......besides my senior thesis.

 

[Libertarian01]

To All,

Sequestration is only a very small step in the right direction.

It is moving the needle in the direction of a balanced budget, a very small amount but nonetheless in the right direction.

For those that don't know what sequestration was here is a short and dirty explanation.

Back in early 2012 the democrats & republicans were arguing about increasing the debt limit. The republicans demanded spending cuts that the democrats did not want to give. A compromise was reached. They would create a situation of automatic, across the board spending cuts so huge no one would want them. Then they created a super committee to make the same cuts in a "more surgical" manner. That way the republicans would get their wanted cuts in a more targeted manner and everyone would be less unhappy. So, the debt ceiling was raised. The super committee was formed. As we all now know the super committee didn't do crap. Even the republicans on it didn't want their names attached to specific cuts so both sides put forward crap that they knew the other side would never go for.

Sequestration was supposed to go into effect at the end of 2012 along with finally ending the Pres. Bush temporary(?) tax cuts that were SUPPOSED TO END in 2010 but kept getting extended. So everyone in DC thought it would be really, really ugly to have the Pres. Bush tax cuts expire and sequestration go into effect simultaneously. Congress pushed the sequestration down the road two (2) monthes giving them time to deal with the fiscal cliff issues.

Now it is time for sequestration to go into effect. Finally!

Understand that for the most part they all (especially the republicans) voted for this. They all agreed to automatic cuts if they wouldn't control the cuts. Now they need to reap what they have sowed.

I for one want to see our military spending come down to about $300 Billion. This is more than twice what the next highest country (China) is spending.

Also don't try to use an ad hominem attack against me on not loving America or the men and women who serve in it. My brief stint with the USMC introduced me to the greatest group of people I have ever met. But the reality is that those wearing the uniforms of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard are NOT the cause of budget bloating. We could increase their pay and reduce costs at the same time. No, my friends, the fat bloated military budget comes from defense contractors selling us crap we don't need! We don't need that many new multibillion dollar fast attack submarines. We do not need F22 Raptors at a cost of $412 million each (per GAO numbers.)

The sad reality is that we talk about defense spending we think about the men and women serving but in reality we are ignoring the military industrial complex.

We must also not forget that IF we truly want to live within our budget then we must cut another $900 Billion per year.

Oh, and to answer the question of what I am doing to prepare? I am going to get a nice bottle of wine, some good cheese and crackers and enjoy one small step toward a balanced budget that will never be achieved.

Regards,

Doug

 

[Birds Away]

The libs are going out of their way to create panic over these "cuts". The amount of money being cut could easily be absorbed by the federal government if they simply looked for programs that duplicate themselves, etc. The laundry list of what will be effected by this is just a scare tactic. They aren't going to shut down six airwings, all of the rolling stock overseas, etc., etc. They will threaten layoffs and furloughs but they will not last very long. It is all about creating public fear in order to force Republicans to cave into their desire for more taxes. The libs have proven again and again that they cannot be trusted with the truth. Why should I believe them this time?

But just to be on the safe side I had better get some cookies.

 

[Enkrypter]

There are a few direct hits you will feel. USDA is cutting 6000 inspectors which will cut supply in just about every food you buy. When it can't be inspected, food isn't produced therefore demand - and prices - go up.

Air traffic controllers also furloughed - could be some serious waiting at airports.

The worst of it is the DoD takes the biggest hit. No funding for training and deployment means your sons and daughters that are on deployment right now will stay on deployment (likely) until something changes.

NOA takes a hit too, weather satellites that were due to be replaced this year - past their service life - will not be replaced. Early warning systems and weather predictions over seas for battle plans fail - again military takes a higher risk.

There are rippling affects all over. It's a crime what they're doing to the military. Pay raises for the military were put on permanent hold. They don't make anything already, yet they help fund congress's inept performance of their jobs.

This ^^^^


This is a big deal folks. It's Regan's trickle down effect, but instead of econ. it's jobs!

The budgetary cuts, mean job cuts. In an economy where we still have high employment this will only further it. Not to mention, we are trying to end war and cut DoD spending. this means returning soldiers will be discharged, downsized, and put back into an already stagnant civilian workforce where everyone is looking for jobs. Sequestration will only compound all of the issues we already have.

This is NOT what our country needs. The republicans are right to not raise taxes, but this is not a good answer either. Dems. always think that getting more tax money justifies more spending. They don't know how to be frugal. Socialism doesn't work, because you can't keep spending everyone else's money when everyone doesn't have any. We have too many people on the Govt. teet already. We need to ween them off. It's time this country gets it's ***** together.

 

[Shoots4Fun]

I saw the news story that the 2013 Indianapolis Air Show was already cancelled because the Blue Angels are grounded. Just let me say

RTV6 - 2013 Indianapolis Air Show canceled over sequester concerns - Local Story

 

[jcwit]

In all reality I'll bet the sun will come up in the east on March 1st just as it did on Feb 28th. I'll even make a wild predicition that the same will happen on March 2nd.

 

[jcwit]

This ^^^^


This is a big deal folks. It's Regan's trickle down effect, but instead of econ. it's jobs!

The budgetary cuts, mean job cuts. In an economy where we still have high employment this will only further it. Not to mention, we are trying to end war and cut DoD spending. this means returning soldiers will be discharged, downsized, and put back into an already stagnant civilian workforce where everyone is looking for jobs. Sequestration will only compound all of the issues we already have.

This is NOT what our country needs. The republicans are right to not raise taxes, but this is not a good answer either. Dems. always think that getting more tax money justifies more spending. They don't know how to be frugal. Socialism doesn't work, because you can't keep spending everyone else's money when everyone doesn't have any. We have too many people on the Govt. teet already. We need to ween them off. It's time this country gets it's ***** together.

Don't forget to take note as to who decides what and who gets cut.

 

[churchmouse]

Much ado about nothing.

Just more false panic from the masters of deception.

 

[Expat]

The libs are going out of their way to create panic over these "cuts". The amount of money being cut could easily be absorbed by the federal government if they simply looked for programs that duplicate themselves, etc. The laundry list of what will be effected by this is just a scare tactic. They aren't going to shut down six airwings, all of the rolling stock overseas, etc., etc. They will threaten layoffs and furloughs but they will not last very long. It is all about creating public fear in order to force Republicans to cave into their desire for more taxes. The libs have proven again and again that they cannot be trusted with the truth. Why should I believe them this time?

But just to be on the safe side I had better get some cookies.

I don't think they will stop at verbally playing this up, trying to whip the masses into a panic. I believe that the Obamessiah will try to make the cuts in such a way as to make it as painful as possible. Chicago style politics at their best.

 

[infiremedic07]

This is total BS. Sequestration is only talking about reducing the size of gov't expansion by 85 billion or so. There is no reason that the military should be facing any cuts at all from this. I agree that the military could stand to have the fat trimmed but this is not the way. The dems have targeted the military because they traditionally go conservative in their voting. The libs are trying to set themselves up as the good guys that rushed in to save their jobs.
To cut from the gov't they need to go after the fat contractors and the union jobs that are not being cut as much. in an effort to reduce the military budget they began to outsource many jobs done by the soldiers and sailors themselves. Those jobs went to union members that did half the job at twice the pay.
Do you know that Obama gave over 90 billion to "green" companies in stimulus that all went under within a year of receiving the stimulus. SOLYNDRA, ENERDEL...ring a bell?
I am all for hacking away at gov't. It needs to be cut and quick to save this country.
In the interest of disclosure, I am a gov't employee (non union by choice) who believes that the federal govt gives way to much money to fire,police, ems that they have no buisness being involved in. It is a local/state issue. But the Fed comes up with so maby mandatory programs that suck the funds out of the state that they cant provide the services needed.
Rant off.

 

[Small's]

Agree, it doesnt amount to a rounding error on the amount of money being spent. They are just using it for "political panic". Kind of like the fiscal cliff. We have had years to fix it and we still do nothing about it. The sad part is i dont think we ever will. Look at Europe, they are sinking and they still have their head up their rear. This ship will sink if the spending isnt stopped but im really starting to thinks its part of the plan. Who knows maybe this is one of the reasons they "gov" is so hell bent on taking your gun rights. If i was them i wouldnt want an armed public if the currency crumbles. The sheeple might wake up and go after them.

 

[Hohn]

There you go! F!@# the military!!!

You sir are part of the problem. Apparently you don't have any family serving. Those that are serving are glad to pay for YOUR inept congress. F*(& the military.

A fellow veteran should be the first to recognize that there is a lot of fat to trim in the DoD.

In my 14 years, I saw more than enough FWA to make me realize that the DoD could easily take a 5%-10% haircut without any real damage to combat effectiveness-- IF it was well-managed.


It's not that the DoD shouldn't be cut; it's that it should be the LAST to be cut.

The DoD has fat to trim. But have they more fat than Medicare? Social Security? All the pork going through Congress? Grants to scientists to study the correlation between climate and bear fur thickness?

I would submit not.

 

[in625shooter]

The libs are going out of their way to create panic over these "cuts". The amount of money being cut could easily be absorbed by the federal government if they simply looked for programs that duplicate themselves, etc. The laundry list of what will be effected by this is just a scare tactic. They aren't going to shut down six airwings, all of the rolling stock overseas, etc., etc. They will threaten layoffs and furloughs but they will not last very long. It is all about creating public fear in order to force Republicans to cave into their desire for more taxes. The libs have proven again and again that they cannot be trusted with the truth. Why should I believe them this time?

But just to be on the safe side I had better get some cookies.

While you are correct it could be don't smartly and effective with little disruption however, let me add. I work for the FED's and have recieved a "letter" that they are planning on furloughing staff in my agency 14 days. That is basically the "method" many have chosen. Is it the best way? Probably not and it's not the worker bee's issue and for those that say &^*$ the GOV, there are a ton of people that just are trying to do a good job working for the GOV that are caught in the crossfire of wanting things to work better and trying to make things work better. Sometimes I wonder if they haven't been directed to do that just to get the masses stirred up.

The legislative branch of the GOV have gave the departments and Agency heads the leverage (for the most part) to choose HOW they want to cut whatever their magic number is. And furloigh is what they decided. The thing with most FED agencies is the people calling the shots are completely inept and always have been. I am convienced that there is a labotimy requirement when you pass the GS 14 level. They put people in charge of stuff that they have absolutly no idea what they are doing or how it works. Asking for clarity would be to simple by them or they are to superior to ask someone that has worked in the specific area for 20 years "what would work here or what can we do there" etc etc etc.

I will say me personally after going through this circus of the budget the last 2 years of kicking the can down the road if it goes through next election anyone that has an I for incumbent by their name They are not getting my vote. I don't care how pro gun, conservative, liberal, moderate or anything. It's all sides that have led to this and time to clean house.

 

[marv]

5500 rounds of 22lr, 6000 rounds or .223, a crap ton of 12 guage and 20 guage shell's and also 1200 rounds of 9mm and 600 rounds of .308. But also beer, cigars and a group of friends

When this is over and you guys are shooting dollar a round ammo the rest of us will be shooting nickle a round stuff.

 

[Scarecrow]

Much ado about nothing.

Does that mean you are willing to take a 20% cut in pay with us?

 

[in625shooter]

Does that mean you are willing to take a 20% cut in pay with us?

Well put! A lot of big talkers here when they are not the ones loosing money when they did nothing wrong, only show up to work a full 8 hours everyday!

 

[Hohn]

Does that mean you are willing to take a 20% cut in pay with us?

Who is "us"?

This smacks to me of the same attitude of entitlement that so many welfare folks adopt.


I work at the pleasure of my employer. He can fire me any time he wants.

Public employees are no different. THERE IS NO RIGHT TO HAVE A GIVEN JOB. THERE'S NO RIGHT TO ANY JOB.

Period.


You hitch your wagon. Best be sure you trust the horse you hitch it to.

 

[Hohn]

Well put! A lot of big talkers here when they are not the ones loosing money when they did nothing wrong, only show up to work a full 8 hours everyday!

Find another job if you don't like it.

That's what I'd have to do if I couldn't stomach a 20% pay cut (which, thanks to trying to live modestly, I could probably do, but with great inconvenience).

Lots of folks lost jobs already. They also have to find other jobs-- get new or better skills, move, sell stuff whatever it takes.

Not sure what makes anyone else so special that economics shouldn't apply to them.

 

[in625shooter]

Who is "us"?

This smacks to me of the same attitude of entitlement that so many welfare folks adopt.


I work at the pleasure of my employer. He can fire me any time he wants.

Public employees are no different. THERE IS NO RIGHT TO HAVE A GIVEN JOB. THERE'S NO RIGHT TO ANY JOB.

Period.


You hitch your wagon. Best be sure you trust the horse you hitch it to.

I belive the comment was pointed to the critics of folks that act like the pay cut was no big deal when they have not been faced with it. Not everyone. That all.

Find another job if you don't like it.

That's what I'd have to do if I couldn't stomach a 20% pay cut (which, thanks to trying to live modestly, I could probably do, but with great inconvenience).

Lots of folks lost jobs already. They also have to find other jobs-- get new or better skills, move, sell stuff whatever it takes.

Not sure what makes anyone else so special that economics shouldn't apply to them.

I never said I personally couldn't stomach it, I manage my money well so I'm good. As for what your reference about special treatment was directed none was presumed here. Most Federal worker bees (me specifically) are very thankful for our jobs and I personally feel for folks that do get laid off, jobs shipped out of state etc etc. So no one feels special here just what is being pointed out is some here comment like it's no big deal to loose 20% of their pay when some of them commenting are not loosing any.

This isn't directed at you but for others to laugh or think *&^% ALL federal workers and they should all be fired done away with etc Is there no humanity towards fellow citizens anymore. There might be some folks that I disagree with or even GOV policy I despise but in very few circumstances would I ever wish some sort of hardship or demise on anyone. Everyone deserves to earn a full paycheck and go home to their families!