Comments about ‘What is the impact of the sequester?’

I heard somebody point out recently that Congress can find $60 billion to give away to hurricane Sandy vicitms, but can't figure out where to get $85 billion for the budget.

Congress and the President are showing their incompetence. Vote them all out.

Hmmm we're pledging another $450 million to Egypt. Add $2 trillion to Iraq and Afghanistan. Oh and remember TARP, the repub bailout to their bank buddies? Yet, repubs say we can't afford anything to the American people? Ridiculous!!!

@ Red shirt. We tried last election but as you will remember, the majority of Americans have discovered they can vote themselves money from the minority.

This is going to be a slow build. Minor at first, then more and more.

We need an adult solution.

The problem is a paucity of adults in the political process.

"...Congress can find $60 billion to give away to hurricane Sandy vicitms..."

Heaven help the residents of USS Enterprise, UT if the big earthquake ever comes and shakes down their houses. Redshirt will make sure their is no government help to rebuild!

1,000,000 jobs lost and counting. That makes my head spin.

To "ECR" heaven help you when the government collapses and can no longer give things away like it has.

You are missing the big picture. The government raised taxes on the wealthy in January to get $50 billion more in revenues, by the end of January they spent it all and more on Hurricane Sandy. The US government has a serious spending problem, and will eventually collapse like Europe. The US will get to a point where it can no longer afford its programs or be able to send out aid for every disaster. What then? Shouldn't the US get it finances in order first?

Redshirt - No one is arguing that the government doesn't have a spending problem. It's been going on for the last 33 years. My point is that the victims of Hurricane Sandy are tax paying, ordinary citizens who go to work and support their families every day, just like you and me. And yes, among them, just like among every community, there are those who freeload off the system. But in a time of emergency, when people lose everything, including the lives of their loved ones, we, as country, should be standing solidly nehind them to help them rebuild their lives. Yes they lived in a coastal area where the risks of hurricane are greater than in America's heartland or in the Rocky Mountains, but my point is that all of us are subject to some kind of natural disaster and might someday need the help of others to put our lives back togather. If that ever happends to me or you I hope others don't resent the help we get.

Re: " The US will get to a point where it can no longer afford its programs . . . ."

We're there.

To "ECR" you still are missing the big picture. Ignore what the money was used for just look at what happened over the past 3 months.

The government raises taxes and estimates they will get $50 billion in new revenues. Less than 1 month later they spend $60 billion. Now, the government is running into financial problems and because of previous decisions has to cut $85 billion from their budgets. The politicians are crying that they can't come up with the money.

How insane are the politicians in Washington that they can raise taxes, spend it all, then claim they can't find money to cover a 2% cut?

Redshirt - I get your point. I just don't thuink you should make the poor, unfortunate victims of Hurricane Sandy as the scapegoat fior your disdain. As you point out, there is plenty of spending going on elsewhere in the government that we should be able to absorb the sequester. But the vistims of Sandy need our help - not now, but three months ago.