In Arlington on Wednesday at the Fairlington Community
Center, U.S. Senate candidate Tim Kaine spoke about the looming sequestration
and “extensive” unemployment it could cause to the federal work force if
enacted.[1]
Kaine noted that all the talk about private defense jobs being lost as a result
of the sequestration has overlooked the cuts that would be made in the public
sector employment sphere.
The sequestration, if it takes effect, would start on
January 2nd. However, with a six-month continuing resolution set to
be approved in September, a January sequestration appears to be off the table. [2]
But the uncertainty that continues to surround the budget
process in D.C. still has many federal employees worried about their jobs and
political candidates who feel compelled to respond to the situation in
Washington to assuage the fears of federal employees.
Political action director for the American Federation of
Government Employees (AFGE), Bob Nicklas, noted that “They’re [government
employees] not doing it to get rich. They’re just dedicated to what they’re
doing.” Indeed, for all of the flack that has been directed at government
employees from some conservatives, these individuals are the ones who play a
vital role in protecting our freedoms and help make the trains run on time, as
the saying goes.
Regardless of the individual groups being affected, the
strategy of holding the U.S. economy hostage should be considered just as
criminal as a hostage situation involving individuals actually being detained
against their wishes. Moreover, Kaine stated to applause, “If anyone thinks
it’s okay to hold the economy hostage to gain an election should not be in
office.”[3]
The Republican brand of politician’s currently winning
office throughout the country is not a phenomenon that can be sustained long
term, fortunately, because their form of politics is really no politics at all.[4]
Like it or love it, politics is a reality in the U.S. and compromises have to
be made on all sides.
Responsibility in Washington has taken a back seat, but political
candidates like Tim Kaine can reestablish responsible government at the federal
level. Who can honestly say the same
about his opponent?
[1] http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/federal-eye/post/tim-kaine-speaks-on-sequestrations-impact-on-federal-workforce/2012/08/02/gJQASjz1QX_blog.html
[2]http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0812/79298.html
[3] http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/federal-eye/post/tim-kaine-speaks-on-sequestrations-impact-on-federal-workforce/2012/08/02/gJQASjz1QX_blog.html
[4] http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/08/patty-murray-says-tea-party-growth-bigger-problem-for-gop-than-dems/
No comments:
Post a Comment