The American Spectator : The Spectacle Blog : Perspective on the Sequester

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The Bipartisan Policy Center provides some context on the sequester -- the automatic cuts now scheduled to take place because the supercommittee failed. Basically, the cuts included in the sequester would push discretionary and defense spending down to historic lows:

Even though I think Congress will ultimately undo the sequester one way or another, these graphs are useful reminders that the sequester's spending cuts would be real and that the fiscal problem really can't be addressed without reforming entitlements, even if other areas of the budget are cut "to the bone."

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L A Stich| 11.23.11 @ 5:25PM

That's not what other--conservative--outlets report.

Their take: it's an INCREASE in spending--just less of an increase than planned.

tRouble| 11.23.11 @ 5:59PM

Find more honest news sources then.

In fact if Congress does NOTHING we end up close to a balanced budget by 2015:
http://www.offthechartsblog.or.....-trillion/

That isn't enough because we need some surpluses in order to reduce the debt, but it's a great start.

Of course Congress is already talking about how to get around the sequester, but this shows that if they were determined to treat the deficit and debt seriously it's possible to make huge progress quickly.

Brendan| 11.23.11 @ 8:18PM

Ha ha! The famous percent of GDP.

What's the GDP? I'll go look after I'm done reading, but I'm guessing they are assuming some unrealistic growth.

sjccoach| 11.23.11 @ 8:54PM

Would you please define cut to the bone. Most Federal Programs and Departments could be abolished. They would only be missed by establishment CINOs like Mr. Lawler.

Brendan| 11.23.11 @ 9:09PM

I worked with a big federal military contractor on a project in the civilian market. Their estimate was 4 times what I could get by going out to bid and using non-military contractors.

Yes, DOD can take a haircut. I promise it won't hurt.

Oldefarte| 11.24.11 @ 1:30PM

Someone [possibly Wayne Allen Root] predicted that these cuts will not appreciably effect core services, but only futuristic increased governmental spending; and I believe this to be true. Tweeking will necessarily be performed, but this nation will survive, and the taxpayers will benefit from whatever the $1.5 bil reduction in governmental spending provides. The one/only solution is not with these mandatory cuts in spending, but with the American taxpayer-voters waking up from their insomniac of voting STUPIDLY on 11/4/08 and electing next year conservative Republicans who can begin the political process of dismantling useless/unnecessary governmental departments and duplicative spending from same!!!!!!!