Yesterday the Republican sequester was welcomed by a cacophony of cheers from Republican politicians, despite their hypocrisy of blaming Obama at the same time. Perhaps, if the sequester was going to harm billionaires and corporate criminals, Republicans would not be cheering, but at least in the short term, the ones harmed will be the most vulnerable.
House Republicans were elated this week when their leader, John Boehner, made it clear that deep, automatic spending cuts would begin as scheduled on Friday. Incredibly, some consider the decision a victory.
As the cuts take effect, they will inflict widespread hardship. But some Americans will be hurt more than others, and the people who will be hurt the most are those who are already struggling. In the months ahead, an estimated 3.8 million Americans who have been unemployed for more than six months face a cut in federal jobless benefits of nearly 11 percent — or about $32 a week — all from the recent average weekly benefit of $292. And an estimated 600,000 low-income women and toddlers will be turned away from the federal nutrition program for women, infants and children, known as WIC.
It should not be this way. Deficit reduction should not occur on the backs of the poor and vulnerable. At the insistence of Democrats, most major programs that help the needy have been exempted from the cuts, including food stamps and Medicaid. Democrats also won exemptions for beneficiaries of programs that are not explicitly aimed at low-income Americans but that are crucial to keeping many retirees out of poverty or near-poverty, notably veterans’ pensions, Social Security and Medicare. Still, smaller, vital programs will fall under the knife, in part because they are in spending categories deemed dispensable under the unthinking rules for across-the-board cuts… [emphasis added]
Inserted from <NT Times>
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Ezra Klein discussed the Republican sequester with economist Jared Bernstein.
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Note that there would not have been a sequester if Republicans had not walked away from the negotiating table, because they thought they could get it all without negotiating by winning the election, that would, according to the Republicans, decide the issue. The people chose to reject what Republicans want, but Republicans do not care about the election now, because elections count only when they win. They do not care how much suffering they cause, as long as the protect welfare for the 1%. The people, whom the sequester will hurt most do not include billionaires and corporate criminals.
We have one side who will negotiate and one side who will not. The Republican insistence that they have everything their way, despite having lost the election, makes this the Republican sequester, an act of sedition against America.
Every Republican in office is one Republican too many!
22 Responses to “The Republican Sequester Has Arrived”
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"Note that there would not have been a sequester if Republicans had not walked away from the negotiating table, because they thought they could get it all without negotiating by winning the election, that would, according to the Republicans, decide the issue. The people chose to reject what Republicans want, but Republicans do not care about the election now, because elections count only when they win. They do not care how much suffering they cause, as long as the protect welfare for the 1%. The people, whom the sequester will hurt most do not include billionaires and corporate criminals.Note that there would not have been a sequester if Republicans had not walked away from the negotiating table, because they thought they could get it all without negotiating by winning the election, that would, according to the Republicans, decide the issue. The people chose to reject what Republicans want, but Republicans do not care about the election now, because elections count only when they win. They do not care how much suffering they cause, as long as the protect welfare for the 1%. The people, whom the sequester will hurt most do not include billionaires and corporate criminals."
I simply couldn't have phrased it better – thanks TC.
Yes yop could. You did! You siid it twice. 😉
Deficit reduction should not occur on the backs of the poor and vulnerable.
Taker out "not" and you have the republican agenda in a nutshell.
I am happy to be living in a time when I can witness the demise of the New Fascism of the GOP. They are imploding by the minute. And although the president will absorb some blame for the sequester, it will really hurt the GOP with the majority of American voters.
May you be correct.
I simply cannot understand why Obama placed the sequester agenda on the table in the first place! I question his motivation as well at this point, because the Republicans have made it abundantly clear that there is no morality within their party and they have no concience when deciding to hold the country hostage. Obama knows this, and it becomes questionable whether this was an intentional move on his part or not! I know – I know — once again I tread on the sacred dem ground, but Obama is ra politician first and foremost – and a relativbely wealthy one at that! He's not immune as some of his choices for advisers clarify, for instance former GE CEO – Immelt as an economic adviser?? WTF – seems that GE owes the country a hell of a lot in taxes- doh!
I've become deeply distrustful of these politicians who are making millions doing nothing but watch the nation destroy itself for plutocracy's sake, on both sides of the aisle! Yesterday's statement from the Dept. of State that declares the XL Pipline to be of little concern for climate change is even more disturbing!
Lee you are listening to Obamaphobic probaganda that is inaccurate. Obama wasa not the one who put the sequester on the table. Republicans refused to consider raising the debt ceiling unless Obama gave them an legal guarantee that spending cuts would take place if the Super Committee could not agree. A legal guarantee of spending cuts is what a sequester is. Republicans proposed a package heavy with cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. Obama counter proposed a package where the cutys to the big three were transferred to defense. I don't think Obama should have done so, but at the time tyhe US Credit Rating was going in the tank.
This Thread has nothing to do with Keystone XL. Every day, we have an Open Thread for you to bring whatever issues you want. However, I will soon be posting a Keystone XL article.
What are these SOB's thinking? They are hurting the so called "little" people—don't they remember what happened at the election. The "little" people stood in line for hours to cast their vote. And I believe that this crap that they pulled this time will cause much civil unrest and that will end in violence. An uprising. And I will be out there too, I have two little autistic nephews that this is going to affect—their medicine costs thousands of dollars each month—and their idiot Republican Governor is trying to take down the "little" people even before this came about. I would seriously hate to be called a goddamned Republican or Tea Party, but even worse I would hate to be one. I am old enough to have seen enough that I believe with all my heart that our country will overcome this as we have so much else. But people won't forget who put us in this position and names will be taken and votes will come about. I truly wish the President would cut off these no good bastards pay checks and their privileges. It would take awhile because they have stolen so much they have a good back log of money. But long enough and it would get to them, they don't want to just get by " they want to live high on the hog. Let them eat dirt.
Thanks TC Sorry for the rant. I am so sick of people hurting the less fortunate and I am very upset when it comes to my own family, especially these beautiful babies.
Gypsy, I understand completely. YVW and I agree.
I doubt that many of the cuts will be made. Republicans will return to Congress after consulting their lords and masters, and the Democrats will continue to crumple like an old pop can.
By mid-March, most of the cuts will be rescinded, but some tax loopholes will be filled. It won't be enough revenue and it will be too many cuts, but it will be resolved in some form.
It was a stupid thing to happen, but the brinksmanship continues unabated. Nobody should be afraid the government will come take their guns (the BATF doesn't even have a head) because this government is too incompetent to tie its own shoes.
Marva, we'll just have to wait and see.
Others have ranted better than I , Ao I will be brief and confine myself– Try anyway- 🙂 Nothing has made me more angry , or feel more helpless than the behavior of these idiots in Washington!!!!!! The stupid jerks– who think they are so powerful– managed to get themselves elected– with the help of Koch backing ?- And now are in love with their perceived power— The power to make a mess and a laughing stock of this country on the world stage !!
I would like to use stronger language to describe these asswipes– but I will refrain !
I agree with Marva as to what is likely to happen—- All we can do is wait and vote- 2014 is next year and 2016 is not that far off– perhaps this mess might teach people to pay attention when they vote—- IMO- there is no Repug worth keeping in office–
So meanwhile– &(%&^*#*&#@^& !!!
Yoir sinal lime is a perfect summary.
We have one side who will negotiate and one side who will not. The Republican insistence that they have everything their way, despite having lost the election, makes this the Republican sequester, an act of sedition against America.
Every Republican in office is one Republican too many!
YES !!!YES!!!! YES!!!
Thanks Phyllis!
The RepublicanT and Tea-bag leaders are not leaders of men and women at all!
They are all Koch-suckers!
Amen, Patty!
Let us be clear about this …
It was Repubicans who supported the Bush tax cuts which inordinately favored the wealthy
It was Repubicans who lied the country into a needless war
It was Repubicans who decided to put TWO wars on the nation’s credit card for future generations to find the revenue to pay for them
It was Repubicans who proposed Part D of Medicare – and yet provided no revenues to fund it
It was Repubicans who time after time after time voted to raise the debt ceiling to cover the Bush/GOP induced debt
So when Repubicans now try to claim they are the party of “fiscal responsibility” – we know it’s a shameless lie.
For years and years they’ve been more than willing to screw honest hard-working middle class Americans – so I guess there’s no surprise at them doing it yet again.
Crystal!
I have been amazed at how many Americans don't know what a 'sequester' is and don't know what is going on in Washington over the sequestration. I heard a news item that said 50% of Americans do not know about nor understand the sequestration.
Sequester = confiscate, appropriate, seize, impound, requisition
That means that the Republican/Teabaggers, authors of and chief cheerleaders for sequestration are going to confiscate the money for the WIC programme that benefits women, infants and children. That means that the Republican/Teabaggers, authors of and chief cheerleaders for sequestration are going to seize money for unemployment benefits for approximately 38.1% of the unemployed. That means that the Republican/Teabaggers, authors of and chief cheerleaders for sequestration are going to impound funds that would otherwise be used for a myriad of other smaller social programmes. All these programmes will suffer greatly because of Republican/Teabagger sedition. The least able of the American people are going to be tossed aside while the wealthiest and corporate entities, still get their welfare.
Does anybody not understand sequester now?
"Why are the Republicans so happy when they should be ashamed? "
Because they are egocentric, self absorbed idiots that think they have the right to do as they please. Because they see themselves as working for the wealthiest people and corporations, not every American. This is an act of sedition that should not go unanswered.
Texans said for years, and maybe still do, "Remember the Alamo!" Well I say "Remember the Republican/Teabagger sequester of 2013!" especially during the mid term elections in 2014.
Amen Lynn!
Bernie Sanders is my main man regarding this matter… 😉
Bernie is definately constipated. (has his shit together) 😉