Posted on 02/22/2013 6:07:38 AM PST by Kaslin
“The sequester is not to be feared, it is to be embraced. In fact, after the cuts take effect from this one, it would be nice to engineer another one. And another after that.”
Good, unless you consider gutting the military as a bad thing. You know the entitlements will keep on flowing while the things needed to support a healthy, vibrant country will be cut.
Why do conservatives feel compiled to support our bloated Pentagon and defense contractors? The USA hasn’t won a war since World War II. The military has degenerated into a liberal social justice experiment, as we now have women in combat and homosexual “wives” joining military wives groups. Many good Americans have been sacrificed in senseless conflicts as we claim to plant democracy in places that don’t want democracy.
Pres. Washington and Pres. Eisenhauer, our finest military leader presidents, warned the USA about “foreign entanglements” and the dangers of the “military-industrial complex”. We should have listened to their knowledgable advice.
If I may interject some additional information here, the cuts to the DoD will affect real people.
My husband, age 67 has not yet been able tiio retire due to the economy. He works for a defense contactor.
Employees must take a 22 day non paid furlough under the sequester. But it is not a three week unpaid vacation and then back to work.
The plan is to force employees to take a six month pay cut in the form of 22 weeks of four days work weeks. A pay cut just when prices are rising.
We are being forced into a pay cut over excessive spending we never wanted in the first place while the real culprits go free.
This will push our retirement even further out.
This article says that military spending will be 2007 levels. That’s not “gutting” the military. Maybe the article is wrong about asserting that sequester will take us to 2007 levels... or maybe I read it wrong. But if not, the sequester is just fine IMO.
It’s comical at times to see the very predictable reaction to slowing the rate of growth or even *gasp* actual cuts... stuck pigs. Like listening to unions if even a penny is taken from them. My gosh.
I am completely with you, and I contract for them!
Every Republican lawmaker, in every public statement, interview, etc., needs to start referring to this not simply as “Sequester”, but as “The Obama Sequester.” Obama acts as though he is simply a spectator in all of this, standing on the sidelines, with no ability to do anything about the situation. Thanks to his friends in the media, he’s getting away with it, with the public thinking it’s entirely the fault of the mean, evil Republicans. Obama is the President of the United States, the most powerful figure in our government - not some helpless spectator. The Republicans need to get the message out that the buck stops with Obama, not with them. It’s the “Obama Sequester.”
This will push our retirement even further out.
The new normal will soon include that, as well as people like you and me that will not be able to retire. That’s just what happens when the chickens come home to roost.
This is why elections actually matter. The rubber is meeting the road. The chickens are coming home to roost. The fat lady is about to sing.
Etc...
Yes there are too many of us who are negatively affected - including me [5% of days have been furloughs for 5 years now and next year looks like 8%.] At least I have a job.
So you’re not alone. Nevertheless it has to happen. I just wish it was “happening” to those responsible for the irresponsible spending.
Elections have consequences -
Take your household budget and reduce it to 2007 levels. You won’t last long.
I am a Civil Service employee staring down the barrel of a %20 pay cut on top of squat for raises the last couple years.
I agree the military needs to lean up a bit (too many high price weapon systems). Cutting the pay of the workers should be last on their list.
I am sorry for your pain. However, at least he still has a job. Many of us took a pay cut in the last few years to KEEP our jobs. I am on straight commission. In 2008 and 2009 my income went down 50%. I have never had A PAID vacation in 26 years. Your husband chose to take a job dependent on the Federal Govt. Decisions have consequenses. Spending has to be cut across the board . NOT JUST THE PROPOSED INCREASES. My father inlaw just retired at 73. Consider yourself lucky.
As far as I am concerned the Sequester is only a good start. They should double it next time.
That's what everyone says when it's them. It's normal. It wasn't your fault gov't overspent and you have to suffer the consequences. I agree.
Again, elections have consequences. We're being taken advantage of by the very government that is responsible for the problem in the first place.
2007 levels would be more difficult than now for lots of reasons - less pay and higher prices. But it's not "gutting". Sorry I don't go for that. But it is harder.
Elections have consequences.
I must have seen 100 FReepers announce the outright loss of a job over the last 5 years.
I say bring on the sequester and then do it again and again and again!
Seriously! I guess we’re supposed to cry for all these beleaguered public ‘servants’ when there isn’t a single person I know employed in the private sector who hasn’t taken a double digit pay CUT from what they made 5 years ago.
We had to suck it up and deal with it, what the hell is so special about them that they can’t do the same? Because they thought they were smarter than everyone else by setting themselves up with a job working for Uncle Sugar?
It sounds like your husband's employer is using the sequester as an excuse to stick it to their employers. The actual cuts are nothing compared to the overall defense budget, but they're cuts to an already bloated budget so I completely support them.
The simple fact is that the less government (including contractors) the better. Paying for all this crap is killing the private sector.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.