Why not shut the federal government down? Congress has been shut down for decades now, accomplishing nothing of any real significance in Washington for a very long time, so what would be the big deal? Would anyone really notice?
At the very least, perhaps Congress should amend the U.S. Constitution so that it could share in the same across-the-board cuts that the rest of the federal government will bear beginning Friday, when sequestration — automatic reductions —- will begin.
Truth of the matter is, no one really knows for sure or can say for sure what will happen if and when the sequester set by Congress takes effect. In this day of government misinformation, it’s hard to say. Americans have been told anything and everything, like it will shut down airports, open the door to any terrorist with a gun and throw the entire U.S. economy into another dizzying tailspin.
Perhaps U.S. Jack Kingston, R-1, was right. He said the sequester would represent less than 3 cents on the dollar over the next decade or less than three-tenths of 1 percent of the U.S. economy. As he suggested, all the moaning and groaning that the sky is falling could be typical Washington theatrics, a case where there’s more showmanship than substance to the debate over what will happen if the reduction is allowed to proceed. Maybe everyone involved will be nominated for an Oscar next year if it turns out to be nothing or barely noticeable to the general public.
Sequestration still reflects poorly on Congress, to let a “magic knife” do what it can’t do since it is unable to compromise. Democrats want program downgrades and tax increases on the wealthiest of Americans; Republicans want to downsize government and get entitlement programs, which continue to expand unchecked, under control.
Maybe when all is said and done someone will come up with the brilliant deduction that Congress and the federal government are in need of a major, top-to-bottom renovation. If neither can act responsibly, then they are broken and in need of repair.