Saturday, August 4, 2012

Kaine’s visit to Arlington highlights the dangers of holding the U.S. economy for ransom


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/

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