Obama, GOP Leaders Urge Each Other to Avoid Sequester

Blame game heats up in Washington as automatic spending cuts loom

Surrounded by emergency first responders, President Obama urged Congress Tuesday to avoid the $85 billion in "automatic, severe" budget cuts known as the "sequester" that will kick in March 1.

Obama called the sequester a "meat cleaver approach" that "won't help the economy" and "won't create jobs." He warned it would lead to layoffs of teachers, cutbacks in the air traffic control system, furloughs of FBI agents, and a compromised military.

"These cuts are not smart, these cuts are not fair," Obama said. "People will lose their jobs."

Congress and Obama seem far apart in reaching a deal to reduce the deficit in time to avoid the sequester in ten days. Obama favors a "balanced" approach meaning a mix of both spending cuts and tax revenues. Congressional Republican leaders have said they want a cuts-only plan.

Boehner said the president needs to take action, rather than just offer strong rhetoric. "Washington Democrats' newfound concern about the president's sequester is appreciated, but words alone won't avert it," Boehner said in a statement. "Replacing the president's sequester will require a plan to cut spending that will put us on the path to a budget that is balanced in 10 years."

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said the government could fund essential services if it finds cuts elsewhere. "More than three months after the November election, President Obama still prefers campaign events to common sense, bipartisan action," he said.

Via USA TODAY

Will you be personally affected if the sequester kicks in?

[DrNickels]

Yes ill feel it directly, but I have savings and enough vacation days and sick time built up that I can weather about 2 months if the VA shuts down. I can also always pick up shifts at an ER here under a contract company.

I think something this dramatic is what is needed to make some people in this country wake up and realize we are running out money and we can't keep expecting less than half the population to support the other half. It's unsustainable.

[martydotcom]

Don't be naive. this will affect every one. mostly the GOP who wiil be viewed as defending the top 1% This will cost them in '14 & '16
Obama already established its their fault

[Tralee]

May I ask how you will directly be affected? This is an honest question. Do you know that the VA will shut down? After all, this cut is just a cut in the proposed raise in spending, not a cut in spending as it is now.

[Tralee]

@martydotcom Yes Marty, he did, that's his plan. HE put this in place, R's and D's voted for it and now he wants to blame R's for letting his plan go into action. That's the sign of a man who would rather play politics, he needs to defeat the R's in 2014 to get his dream team back and totally ruin what used to be America. Just because he "established" it's the R's fault, doesn't make it so. He's just playing his usual game, except this time the R's aren't going to fall for it. He ALREADY got a tax hike, no way, 2 months later, he's going to get another. Even the low information voter would find that a bit greedy.

[DrNickels]

@Tralee
Step raises are already being halted for several va positions. We are paid bonuses for certain performance goals. None of us will be getting those this year due to budgets. Now that's what we know right now. It's not been determined if step raises will continue for the rest of employees or not and a full shutdown would mean possible shut downs for some of the departments.

It's all politics unfortunately. Obama says my way or the highway, but as others have said its his plan that is going to go into action if the republicans don't cave. If no deal is reached the left will blame the republicans and the media will bombard the public with blame for this on the republicans. If the republicans cave we all lose because it will mean higher taxes for those of us who work and more entitlements because I doubt any deal Obama agrees to will not have a minimum wage hike or some type of handout attached to it. Tax and spend baby.

[martydotcom]

@Tralee Obama has very effectively laid blame on the R's because they have been foolish enough to fall right into the trap set for them. They're not in DC talking to anyone now are they? Taking two weeks off, ignoring the problems of the nation makes the R's look like fools. Every pundit both R&L agrees that just like last time the Gov shut down the GOP will absorb 99% of the blame. Who cares if the R's aren't going to fall for it, they are 16 they are in disarray, a minority of the voting public a soon to bee even a lessor them Add in, Boehner's lack of leadership, McConnell being a nit wit running for his life from Ashley "Juggs," John McCain's insanity. Ted Cruz's rudeness and lack of respect, Karl Rove lining up a circular firing squad and the R's are going to have a hard time holding on to what few sane voters they have. Anyone with a modicum of sense is looking at the R's and wondering how they're screw up next?

[NTBFW]

They need to find a way to make a deal that involves spending cuts. This is Obama's deal he didn't think they would call his bluff. It's time to fish or cut bait.

[PoliticalSpice]

I say let the sequester happen. I have been saying it all along. And now Barrons is saying the same thing. My reason for wanting it differs, but since its the pnly way to ever get serious military cuts I hope the tea party suceeds on this. Then when people want to reinstate stuff I hope enough left leaning dems and tea party can agree not to restore miltary spending...

[Tralee]

@PoliticalSpice I hope you are still saying that when the building you work in is attacked. With all the unrest in the world right now, with Al Qaeda gunning for us simply because we exist, the next 9/11 could be in your town, or blow up the bridge you are traveling over or the tunnel you are traveling through. What we need is more intel., to NOT just aimlessly kill with a drone and capture a few of these guys so we can find out what they are planning. Forewarned is always better than being taken by surprise.

[PoliticalSpice]

@Tralee The town I live in was attacked on 9/11. Sorry to idisppoint you by not having been in the building. The military did virtually nothing to prevent it. Nor did the intell community or ghe Bush administration, which had more then ample intelligence. Next time you wang to wish an al wuada attack on someone, wish it on your town.

[Tralee]

@PoliticalSpice I don't believe is wished anything on you, again, you seem to read and then read between the lines. The military could do a lot more if it had better intel. You have no idea how many plots that were foiled through military intel. before 9/11 and you have no idea how many will not be carried out because we just kill them, we don't capture and interrogate. Bad idea, really a very bad idea. I do believe that after 4 years of Obama's open hand not a fist out policy has proven that we just can't make nice with them, that only makes them disrespect us and do what they will, knowing full well, that this president will not take any action against them. He may write a stern letter, but that's about all.

[PoliticalSpice]

@Tralee Listen, i read what you said, and I really have nothing to say to one who wishes an al quada attack on someone just because they disagree with your militaristic budget priorities. And I know a bit more about intel then you might thing having read about it non-stop for several years.

[miketost]

Remember king obama came up with this idea in the first place.Simpson Bowles appointed by the king had a plan that he rejected.I often refer to barry as a fool in truth he is a genius much like others in history that brought their nations demise.

[miketost]

Also the gutless republicans that voted for it are also to blame.

[albert]

Go ahead and cut them where ever they need to ,the people voted this congress in and they should not complain when they get what they voted for,what else could they possible expect.

[jessejaymes]

Everybody sing!!!!(to the tune of Shirley Ellis's "name game"

The Blame game!

Obama!
Obama, Obama bo bama Bonanna famma fo Birley
Fee fy mo Famma, Obama!

Boehner!
Boehner, boehner boBonner, Banana fanna fo Foehner
Fee fy moFoehner, Boehner!

Come on everybody!
I say now let's play a game
I betcha I can make a rhyme out of anybody's name
The first letter of the name, I treat it like it wasn't there
But a B or an F or an M will appear
And then I say bo add a B then I say the name and Bonana fanna and a
fo
And then I say the name again with an F very plain
and a fee fy and a mo
And then I say the name again with an M this time
and there isn't any name that I can't rhyme

Pelosi!
Pelosi, Peliosi bo Belosi Bonana fanna fo Felosi
Fee fy mo Melosi, Pelosi!

But if the first two letters are ever the same,
I drop them both and say the name like
Bob, Bob drop the B's Bo ob
For Fred, Fred drop the F's Fo red
For Mary, Mary drop the M's Mo ary
That's the only rule that is contrary.

Okay? Now say Bo: Bo
Now Tony with a B: Bony
Then Bonana fanna fo: bonana fanna fo
Then you say the name again with an F very plain: Fony
Then a fee fy and a mo: fee fy mo
Then you say the name again with an M this time: Mony
And there isn't any name that you can't rhyme

Every body do Mitch!
Pretty good, let's do Harry!
Very good, let's do Michelle!
A little trick with Sarah!
The name game

And the beat goes on.

[Thunderchicken]

It's the spending. Until we come to that realization, we'll never get back on track.

[Chromalord]

Well first guys, the sequester effects 0.3 % of the budget, so those of you worried about some sort of collapse RELAX. The problem with the sequester are the cuts in needed services like: Federal education programs ( of which there are many), discretionary defense and non defense, SS, Medicare and Medicaid

[PoliticalSpice]

Yes, but without sequester the military never gets cut. I say let sequester happen, just as let bush tax cuts expire. Then reinstate the Non-military programs as needed. Oh and you are mistaken. Its not bad as you think, I do not think ss and medicare are cut as part of the sequester.

[Chromalord]

@PoliticalSpice SS, Medicare and medicate get cuts, not cut. I checked that out on a bipartisan website.

[PoliticalSpice]

@Chromalord not sure what it means to get cuts but not cut, please explain...

[Chromalord]

@PoliticalSpice Cut mean eliminated, cuts means less funding

[PoliticalSpice]

@Chromalord Really? I have read ss and medicare were exept from the sequester...

[BelinKS]

Obama put this sequester in place! He can just as easily move it. I though that after the elections, congress was supposed to get on top of this immediately and get working! They didn't. That was the whole reason for those three months! Then, less than a month from the deadline, they voted to give themselves a week off. They had already had Christmas break. Before that they voted to give themselves a raise, during a time when our country was already in financial trouble! What are they there for? Obviously not for us. For God's sake. Just set up a spending cut package for right now! Make it known that taxes will be on the table next. There is no need for Obama to flush the American people down the toilet because of a pissing contest! He is the president. He needs to drop the my way or the high way crap! It seems Obama doesn't care about doing this to the American people! I know how to cut billions if not a trillion right now! Without hurting the American people one bit. So do a lot of other people. A HUGE problem is that we are talking about domestic spending cuts first. That is the wrong way. It's lunacy, trying the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result!

[miketost]

Thats the definition of a fool is it not?

[BelinKS]

@miketost
Related words.

[Medicinebow]

If this was your household would increasing your income (gov't equivalent of raising taxes) or cutting spending be the best solution? The first answer should be cutting spending in my opinion.

[IMAQT]

One can control what you spend, but it is much harder to control or even predict what your income will be. But Washington is the only place where you can spend more the next year and it is still considered a spending cut. I would be happy if they could just freeze spending, let alone cut it. The reality is that we have never seen the government spend less than it did in the previous year.

[tomincali]

seems to me these fools are trying to collapse the economy. instead of fixing something a big a deal as the economy they goof off lag play switch and wait for the last minute,even worst is they try and push off that they did such a great job.

[MarkJM]

It will be another defacto recession. Problem is CONgress and their "don't cut mines" attitude towards certain programs. Add 0bama to the mix with his "don't cut this or don't cut that" mentality and the end result is a continuation of the blame game. I'm somewhat confident that CONgress will strike an 11th hour deal and delay this again for another 3 months. Happens every time. It might not be such a bad thing if it does happen. Problem is we have too many "handout" programs that aren't even looked at.

[jaybebo84]

Unfortunately, and believe me I am AGAINST taxation, it will take a combination of spending cuts and increases in taxes to get this country out of this fiscal mess...sequester should be allowed to move forward...cutting Federal agencies will possibly bring a wakeup call to look at trimming the fat on the this needless spending...I am willing to pay a bit more in taxes...which is coming with Obamacare in a taxes on our healthcare premiums and prescription drugs...but if there is going to be a tax increase there needs to be substantial government spending cuts...

I don't see the current Medicare and Social Security being there when I finally retire, which I anticipate to be around the ripe, old age of 72. However, if I could get some semblence of it, I would be happy. Serious decisions need to be made on entitlements...spending needs to be curbed...tough decisions need to be made beyond partisianship...beyond special interest...beyond the complaints of the people...for this country to survive...this economy to flourish once again...

[Knight80]

Nobama wants the well off people who worked to get where they are to pay for the FREE this, FREE that, FREE everything. Maybe the gov should work for FREE! Maybe the first to be let go because of the Sequester is the Pres himself.

[Fishbone345]

I think it might worth letting it happen. Seeing Defense Contractor scum get their checks cut would be worth it.

[Fishbone345]

Meanwhile, the people it actually will affect watch with disdain and annoyance as these VERMIN do nothing to move, lest they lose face. God forbid!!
So sick of the two parties. Seriously, step aside and let your betters have a shot at trying real solutions.

[jessejaymes]

When is the last time you actually saw criminals and thieves step aside so decent people could have a fair shot?

[Fishbone345]

@jessejaymes When good men stood up and forced them to. There are instances in history. Shining examples of what we should be doing.

[jessejaymes]

@Fishbone345 My friend you been reading ancient history books again haven't you?

[Fishbone345]

@jessejaymes Don't dash my hopes. I'm an optimist. ;)

[DARSB]

Good thing Congress took the week off. Poor things must have been exhausted from all that finger-pointing, dithering, and tantrum-throwing. May they'll be rested enough when they return to TAKE CARE OF THE PEOPLE'S BUSINESS!!!

Or not. I'm not sure I've ever seen as irresponsible a Congress as this one. The only thing they seem to accomplish is the creation of stupid, entirely avoidable crises like this one.

[PoliticalSpice]

True, they created the crisis, but has been said, never let a crisis go to waste. use the sequester to cut military spending!

[mtkopf]

Hey maybe send a link to the Facebook tax return article to Boehner and ask again why he refuses to put tax revenues on the table.

Oh, wait, you don't want to make him cry or anything.

[Yank]

@mtkopf you realize that taxes were just raised on all income earners and even more on those making over $500k?

[mtkopf]

@Yank actually taxes were not raised on all income earners just those making over $500k. The payroll tax holiday, which was never intended to be permanent, expired.

Now, maybe you could explain how Facebook's 1/2 BILLION DOLLAR tax refund compares with an individual's taxes.

[Yank]

@mtkopf FICA says "hi", and what does face book have to do with what I said?

[Clarke12]

$5 trillion has been spent over the last 4 years, and now the admin is in crisis mode over $85 billion? give me a break. cut spending and deal with it. Obama did say we all need to make sacrifices..

[Arumizy]

Well this is what Obama wanted, now lets see if he will agree to the cuts that are needed or sling mud and claim the GOP refused to work with him and his my way or the highway "Compromise"

[SavageMazx]

It's all posturing and grand standing. Eventually the will reach a last minute deal to extend the deadline and kick the can down the road further. Same as it ever was.

[MarkJM]

"These cuts are not smart. They are not fair. They will hurt our economy." - 0bama. Guess what genius: THEY WERE YOUR IDEA. Holy Crap!!