Scale of sequestration cuts becomes clear as Obama attacks Republicans
Source: The guardian
The scale and reach of the sequestration spending cuts that will hit the US has been laid bare by government officials who warn that the order for the cuts, which was signed by president Barack Obama late Friday, would be "deeply destructive" to the economy and national security.
The Office of Management and Budget has compiled an official report on the breakdown of the $85bn cuts package, which was triggered by a failure to reach a broader political consensus on deficit reduction. The document reveals a detailed list of how the cuts will hurt spending at every level of government. It shows that research spending at the Department of Agriculture will be hit by $55m of cuts, while $150m will go from the immigration system at the Department of Homeland Security.
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On Saturday, Obama warned of a "ripple effect" through the American economy that would cost hundreds of thousands of jobs. Obama said the sequestration was "not smart". "The pain will be real," he said in his weekly address. "Many middle-class families will have their lives disrupted in a significant way."
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"It's happening because Republicans in Congress chose this outcome over closing a single wasteful tax loophole that helps reduce the deficit. Just this week, they decided that protecting special-interest tax breaks for the well-off and well-connected is more important than protecting our military and middle-class families from these cuts," Obama said.
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But on Saturday Republicans were still standing firm. In the party's own weekly address, the congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers attacked "out-of-control government spending" and said there was no point in new taxes, as the money would just be wasted.
Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/mar/02/sequestration-cuts-barack-obama-republicans
freshwest
(53,661 posts)How did she vote on the VAWA?
Another waste of money in her eyes, I bet.
She seems to like being put out there to make up BS for Boehner and the boys!
She used to be my rep. but when they did the redistricting thing I ended up with Doc Hastings instead and he is worthless as hell! Both are simply mindless drones spewing the right wing talking points instead of actually doing what is good for the people in their districts back home!
freshwest
(53,661 posts)CJCRANE
(18,184 posts)he was happy to look at closing tax loopholes, a few months ago.
(Or maybe it was Romney, but it seemed like the Repubs were okay with the idea).
But that was then, and it was simply a ploy on his part to try and avoid ending the Bush tax cuts on the supper rich. He knew it wouldn't happen. Now he is doing the old right wing "selective" memory thing where they forget all things they said in the past, at least all the things that the president and the democrats are willing to take him up on.
lovuian
(19,362 posts)I have no doubt about it
and when you cut the poor...there will be ramifications
they will resort to stealing and yet your prisons budgets will be cut
its a vicious no win scenario which will show AUSTERE MEASURES make the rich wealthier and the poor poorer
I here a death gasp from the Republican party
truthisfreedom
(23,113 posts)They're about to shrink their party so much that we can drown it in a bathtub.
djean111
(14,255 posts)The GOP got exactly what they wanted. No news there.
No chess, no backed into a corner, whatever.
My prediction is that people will grumble, but neither party gives a shit. They don't have to give a shit until 2014, when they all will spew the usual lies and everyone will dutifully vote according to the R or D (D = r, really) after the names on the ballots.
The cuts will stay, except possibly the defense cuts will be repealed, since those cuts affect corporate money.
I would love to be wrong......
CarmanK
(662 posts)kelliekat44
(7,759 posts)Allowing them to frame closing tax loopholes as new taxes is a mistake. They should be framed as "uncollected taxes" or "tax breaks" or "unrealized tax revenues" These only benefit large corporations and the wealthy who have been scamming the American consumer for too long!
AndyTiedye
(23,500 posts)It really is that simple.
blkmusclmachine
(16,149 posts)boomerbust
(2,181 posts)Obama got snookered. AGAIN!!!
AndyTiedye
(23,500 posts)He didn't have the votes, he doesn't have the votes now, and he won't have the votes any time in the foreseeable future.
The Rapeuglicans can do this precisely because gerrymandering has made it all but impossible for us to retake the House.
That means that they don't care how much pain they cause. They don't have to. Their seats are secure no matter what.
The Democrats are in a far weaker position.