"It's clearly a budget. It's got a lot of numbers in it."
~George W. Bush
Well... it's all his fault...it's all George W. Bush's fault... right? The latest political bullshit, also known as the Sequester. It's his fault. Again I ask... right? Well, no. No it's not. As much as I would love to make a case for how it's his fault, I can't. No, the blame belongs firmly and exclusively with Obama, and the Republican party. While admire the president's show of political balls in his offer of a 2 for one compromise, he didn't try to give them everything! He is learning that terrorists can't be negotiated with, even when you give them what the want! But it distresses me that he still seems to be oblivious to the fact that the REPUBLICAN PARTY WILL NOT WORK WITH HIM... EVER!
The effects on each individual state will vary, but it will be devastating regardless of which state you live in. Here are just a few examples of how my state, California, will be affected this year alone...
California
1. California will face a loss of about $87.6 million in funding for primary and secondary education, which will put about 1,200 teachers and aides jobs at risk.
2. The Head Start Program
Services for about 8,200 children in California will be eliminated.
3. Protections for Clean Air and Clean Water
- $12.4 million in environmental funding to ensure clean water and air quality.
4. Law Enforcement and Public Safety Funds for Crime Prevention and Prosecution
$1.6 million in Justice Assistance Grants that supports law enforcement, prosecution, crime prevention and education, correction and community corrections, crime victim and witness initiatives.
5. Job Search Assistance to help those in California find Employment and Training.
- $3.3 million in funding for job search assistance, referral, and placement, which results in about 129, 770 fewer people will get the help and skills needed to secure employment.
6. Child Care.
About 2,000 fewer disadvantaged children will have child care that allows their parents to work.
7. Vaccines for Children.
Around 15,810 fewer children will receive vaccines for diseases such as measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus, whooping cough, influenza, Hepatitis B.
8. Public Health.
- $2.6 million in funds to help upgrade it's ability to respond to public health threats including infectious diseases, natural disasters, and biological, chemical, nuclear and radiological events.
Also
-$12.4 million in grants to help prevent and treat substance abuse, resulting in around 9,400 fewer admissions to substance abuse programs.
-$2 million loss to California State Department Of Health Services, resulting in about 49,000 fewer HIV tests.
9. Stop Violence Against Women Program.
-$795,000 possible loss in funds that provide services to victims of domestic violence, resulting in up to 3,000 fewer victims being helped.
10. Nutrition Assistance for Seniors.
-$5.4 million loss for programs that provide meals for seniors.
And, of course, the nationwide cuts to federal programs affects everyone. The CDC. The FBI. FEMA and the F.A.A. are just some of the programs that will see significant cuts.
I don't know my country anymore! The levels of greed and selfishness are epic and embarrassing. When will the republicans end their incessant need to bend to the will of the top 1%? When will the republican party do the right thing, be it work in good faith with the president to balance the budget, or decide to be a part of the change for the better for future generations by voting for true gun reforms such as reinstating the Assault Weapons Ban? Now that can be blamed on George W. Bush! He has a lot of blood on his hands, as does any politician who puts a false idol above the life of even 1 American.
And as for President Obama... he should have stood up to the Republican party from day one, and he didn't! When he tried to deal with Republicans and they turned away, that is when he should have stood up to them, not turn the other cheek. I feel like the president has changed his tactics since the election last November, and that is a good thing, but I am afraid it is too late now. The sequester was a bad idea, and I said so when it was introduced, but what can I do? There was NO incentive for the special group of senators to reach a deal. I am only one small peep on the Internet, but I am pretty sure I wasn't alone in my belief that President Obama needs to move beyond his fantasy of some sort of a grand bargain. It's like America has become some sort of a cheesy reality show, and all of this drama and nonsense is scripted for ratings mindless entertainment consumption.
But to answer the question you are probably wanting to ask...
The answer is YES. YES I am glad I voted for President Obama a second time. Why? Because I would rather have someone in the White House who DREAMS of hope, and fairness and change, than someone who you only hear from during your NIGHTMARES.
Washington Post
White House Releases State By State Breakdown Of The Sequesters Effects
Mood: Frustrated
~Me :)
1 comment:
It boggles my mind that the republicans would rather let us suffer the consequences of the sequester than work with the president for the good of the country. It's scary that they have cried wolf on the budget so many times that this time, the public didn't pay attention. Yeah, yeah, yeah...financial crisis, gloom and doom, we've heard that before. They'll put a bandaid on it and kick it down the road at the last minute. We'll be fine. NOT!!!!
I have a feeling the republicans are going to continue to play this way until their constituents wake up and decide they want grown ups representing them in Washington. It sucks that they are willing to let this happen to the country. Unfortunately, the public is going to get hit hard on this one, but maybe...just maybe, they'll finally become a force with more power than then PACs and the richest 1%.
Post a Comment