sequester...huh?

llg, PhD, RN · Mar 4, 2013

No one really knows how the sequester is going to play out. It is anybody's guess. But most people agree that some geographic areas (those most dependent on federal funds) will be effected more (or sooner) than others.

The best thing you can do:

1. Make sure your representatives in Washington know that you are watching them -- and that you expect them to work with their collegues to negotiate a budget SOON. That will mean compromises on all sides and probably, a few personal sacrifices from all of us.

2. Be prepared to make a few sacrifices. Some of the programs you depend on may receive less funding and/or your taxes may go up.

3. Support the nursing organizations who represent nurses (in Washington and in the state capitals all across the country). They can't speak for us unless we support them.

4. If you are not already informed about the political process -- get informed. If you are not already aware of where the funding for your favorite programs comes from, get informed.

lkulmann · Mar 4, 2013

From what I understand, these representatives are refusing to compromise. Obama made that very clear on Friday. Its sending out a message that they refuse to do their jobs and too bad. I don't belong to an organization. I wonder if this website would be willing to get a petition going.

lkulmann · Mar 7, 2013

It really bothers me that these congressmen and women can dig their heels in and NOT compromise with the President especially when it has to to with the poor and less fortunate. Close some of the loopholes...you've have all of these perks and you can't give back!!! Not nice....

tewdles, RN · Mar 9, 2013

Please note that the salaries and benefits of the legislators (who rarely legislate anymore) are exempt from the sequester cuts...or ANY cuts for that matter.

lkulmann · Mar 9, 2013

Well that Exemption needs a tune-up! There is a petition going around to change that on whitehouse.gov .. must be nice to have an exemption like that...damn!

SC_RNDude · Mar 12, 2013

From what I understand, these representatives are refusing to compromise. Obama made that very clear on Friday. Its sending out a message that they refuse to do their jobs and too bad. I don't belong to an organization. I wonder if this website would be willing to get a petition going.

Oh, Obama said they weren't doing their jobs. LOL! Don't be fooled, he has much more authority to do decide where the decreases in spending should happen. And he hasn't specified one spending decrease. His whole public stance is simply to try and put the blame on the republicans.

And the petition? You are signing a petition to have congress freeze their own pay and benefits becasue they aren't performing their duties. I wouldn't count on that going very far.

tewdles, RN · Mar 12, 2013

Oh, Obama said they weren't doing their jobs. LOL! Don't be fooled, he has much more authority to do decide where the decreases in spending should happen. And he hasn't specified one spending decrease. His whole public stance is simply to try and put the blame on the republicans.
And the petition? You are signing a petition to have congress freeze their own pay and benefits becasue they aren't performing their duties. I wouldn't count on that going very far.

Actually the POTUS has made some pretty specific suggestions about spending cuts...the blame game is alive and well in all of politics and it is simply ridiculous to suggest that one party over another is doing it. These overpaid children need to negotiate and compromise.

The American voter has spoken about the general concepts of a balanced approach to this problem.

Even if Boehner, Cantor, and Ryan believe that they have a mandate...they do not.

pmabraham, BSN, RN · Mar 12, 2013

Good day:

"The American voter has spoken about the general concepts of a balanced approach to this problem."

The problem is President Obama and the liberals are not about balance, but ROBBING from others to pay.

The rich already pay more than 70% of the total revenues. Fair share?

I like Dr. Carson who asked the question why do you want to hurt anyone (rich or otherwise)?

President Obama's golf tours could save over 357 jobs or pay to keep the White House tours open. Shared sacrifice? Only for others, not President Obama whose total vacations to date outweigh the cost to keep the Royal British family protected and meet their needs.

We have more people on food stamps than the entire country of Spain. Yet, President Obama doesn't believe there is a spending problem.

Sigh.

tewdles, RN · Mar 12, 2013

You do not think that balancing the budget by cutting primarily the services designed for the most vulnerable citizens is robbing? The tax dollars of the people go to the government to pay for services for the people....of the people for the people, right?

Yet, our elected officials have no problem providing and protecting many, many handouts and loopholes for the corporations and citizens who are prospering. They don't even consider the corporate welfare part of the "entitlements" that we should reduce.

The wealthy may whine about their tax rates, but they are best rates they have had in decades...how ironic that those low rates occured at the same time that our economy tanked and our corporate oversight was at an all time low.

Wealth disparity in the US is amazing and has grown considerably in the past 15 years while average salaries, pay, and benefits have stagnated. The lower and middle classes have an ever smaller share of the economic pie while working more hours and increasing productivity.

Who is stealing from who?

Really, this is about Obama? His vacations, his golf? Those comments suggest to me that this is really a partisan discussion about a POTUS that you do not like...not the budget.

He has suggested cuts. The POTUS, just like many economists do not believe that austerity cutting is the best path during this recession as a primary plan.

Of course, you may not know what the POTUS has said about cuts and medicare, etc, many in the republican congress apparently had no idea either...there must be an information bubble for those who are not liberal or independent.

pmabraham, BSN, RN · Mar 12, 2013

Good day:

Forced charity is not charity.

My brother in law regular works at homes that have people on welfare who are not working yet do have several cars including expensive ones, a huge flat screen tv, etc. all from robbing tax payers.

Feds Spend $1.5 Million to Study Why Lesbians Are Fat | CNS News -- The government suspends White House tours, but has money for this study, to send aid to the Muslim terrorists in Egypt, and then some.

During the past five years, no budget from the Democrat controlled Senate (balanced or otherwise). Not a peep from President Obama about the Democrats doing their job. Just outright lies.

When Benghazi was happening, you know -- four Americans murdered -- President Obama went back to bed after the phone call... no checking in, no concern.

President Obama has only tried to socialize this country by stealing for those who have earned their wages to give to those who have done absolutely nothing. The sloths, the lazy, those who would vote for him.

Personal responsibility, a small fiscally conservative government that has a balanced budget, and then we stand a chance as a nation to get out of this mess where President Obama has outspend every single President before him... over 6 trillion in debt just from his spending.

Thank you.

pmabraham, BSN, RN · Mar 12, 2013

Good day:

For those that want to do their homework:

* How bad is Obamacare? Dr. Betsy McCaughey helped defeat Hillarycare and is an authority on healthcare economics. Betsy’s “fun facts” about Obamacare: 1) 2,572 pages & future bureaucratic expense of $70B/year 2) 14,000 pages of new regulations (to date) 3) $1.79/hour of added labor cost per worker (Ocare fine equals $.98/hour) 4) 1/3 of employers considering dropping existing coverage 5) Exchanges offer same mandated plan with choice only in copays or deductibles (Betsy likens this to a supermarket that sells only cereal) 6) Exchange subsidies to exceed $1 trillion 7) Must show proof to IRS of coverage 8) 3.8% capital gains tax hike for earners over 200K 9) Mandated $63 “pre-existing” annual surcharge 10) Doctor shortages, less care & first time feds control how docs treat the privately insured & finally, what’s already happening, premium increases, layoffs & reduced workers’ hours.

* Interesting fact... the last time the U.S. Federal government passed a budget, the iPad didn't exist.

* Obama Food Stamp Rolls Now Exceed Population of Spain | The Gateway Pundit - There are no more people on food stamps in the U.S. than the population of Spain. Not everyone on food stamps needs to be on food stamps.

* Column: Obama owns the debt now - Why President Obama owns the debt now.

* Health Care Tax Hikes for 2013 May Be Just a Start - Why we need to fear the unaffordable health care act commonly called Obamacare (as if he really did care).

* Government Debt in the United States - Debt Clock - Keeps track of our national debt - $16,432,705,914,000 at the time of this post.

* Obama Blows Legally-Required Budget Deadlineâ€”Again -- what continues to be common place, President Obama ignoring legally required budget.

* Default Not at Issue, Federal Spending Is -- if spending is not cut, we are going to end up like or worse than Greece.

* The Unsung, But Massive Obamacare Sales Tax Increase That Is On the Way - Forbes more news on the high cost of the unaffordable health care act.

We are not teaching the hungry how to fish, we just keep robbing those who have earned their money to give hand outs.

* Obama's Debt Claims Debunked, Line by Line - Obama's Debt Claims Debunked, Line by Line | FreedomWorks

* US National Debt As Percent Of GDP United States 1990-2012 - Federal State Local Data - If we don't turn this around soon (by cutting spending drastically), we are going to be in enough trouble we cannot recover.

Thank you.