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Question of the Week: Which of these three legislative proposals do you support to avert sequestration?

Posted by Randy | February 27, 2013

Tomorrow, the U.S. Senate is expected to vote on two alternatives to address sequestration. The vote will come one day before sequestration takes effect.

Senate Democrats have proposed replacing $110 billion in cuts - $85 billion through September 30^th (the end of fiscal year 2013) and another $25 billion through the end of December. One half would come from tax increases, while the other half would come from spending cuts equally divided between eliminating direct payments to farmers and cuts to national defense.

Senate Republicans are expected to offer a plan to grant the Defense Department and other agencies flexibility to prioritize their own funding, rather than implementing the arbitrary cuts to each program called for under sequestration. For the $85 billion in cuts under sequestration for 2013, agencies would be able to reprogram spending cuts at their discretion; however, a balance must remain between defense and non-defense spending cuts.

In May (H.R.5652) and December (H.R.6684) of 2012, the House voted to replace sequestration with recommendations from six committees – Agriculture, Energy and Commerce, Financial Services, Judiciary, Oversight and Government Reform, and Ways and Means - to cancel $98 billion in cuts to discretionary funding. Both of these bills passed with Congressman Forbes’ support.

Question of the week: Which of these three legislative proposals do you support to avert sequestration?

( ) I support the bills passed in the House that provide alternative spending cuts.
( ) I support the plan offered by Senate Democrats to raise taxes.
( ) I support the plan offered by Senate Republicans to allow agencies to prioritize spending.
( ) I support sequestration.
( ) I support another solution (share your thoughts below).
( ) I don’t know.

Take the Poll here.

Find the results of last week’s InstaPoll here.

Comments

Users are solely responsible for the opinions they post here and their comments do not necessarily reflect the views of Congressman Forbes.

charlotte miller commented on 2/27/2013

The choices given on this week's poll are so biased. The compromise that needs to happen is not just the Republican side or the Democratic side, but a decision that will really help the American people, not promote the egos in Congress. A reasonable tax increase, i.e. loopholes removed, and spending cuts that don't hurt the most vulnerable would be the solution I would vote for. But will we ever hear this from our Republican representatives??? Right now we have Republican leadership in the house who can only speak blame because they are unable to pull their caucus to agreement. Shame on them for not doing their job and simply ruining our economy for the sake of their prideful opinions. Mr. Forbes, I would like to see you speak about solutions for your leadership to move to compromise (unless you agree with the grandstanding), so we can get the ball moving. I would also suggest that until Congress starts working for the American public, they should take a very large pay cut and begin to feel some of the pain they are inflicting. Do not pay yourselves weeks at home, outside of the halls of Congress, when there is very important work to accomplish. Do not pay yourselves for the months of rangling and grandstanding. Pay yourselves only when you take action that lifts consumer confidence and really aids our economy. Only pay yourselves when you really serve the public you were elected to represent. Pay yourselves only when you stop sequestration and make decisions that are wise and thoughtful for the future of our country.
Thomas G commented on 2/27/2013

Wow...this is just astonishing. Here we are again congressman and it appears obvious that you STILL, over 568 days later, cannot act in Washington. I could not believe that you were not in Newport News with the president as were other representatives from the area. You personally wrote to me and said you were willing to work with ANY democrat, republican, or independent on the nation's concerns. How could you not prioritize participation in this event with thousands of jobs on the line in your own hometown? You squandered a great opportunity to stand united with other representatives in the area, and the president elected by the voters in our own state, and you abandoned the middle class again. Time after time you abandon the middle class. For 2 weeks now I have pleaded with your office for information on whether or not you support, as the overwhelming majority of the people do, an increase in the minimum wage. There is NO credible study to support the bizarre claims made by the speaker. Why is it continually so hard to get a simple answer from you congressman. You do not provide answers to direct questions. Your responses here are incredibly vague, often omit critical facts that make your claims questionable at best, and the citizens, who expect you to stand with our president in your hometown, and you are not here. These options you present are pathetic at the 11th hour Mr. Forbes. They are simply pathetic. You have provided ZERO direct information to this district for even 1 single dollar of spending cuts you support. Not a single buck sir, ZERO. I told you a long time ago sir that your caucus would not respond, and that you would not respond. And you haven't. The ONLY rational option here is to close those tax loopholes as the people want. Take the democrat plan and free yourself from bondage by rescinding the Grover Norquist blackmail pledge. ANY other action on this list is a total betrayal of the middle class, business interests in your own hometown, and would be incompetent, harming our society.
Scott McCauslin commented on 2/27/2013

ALL programs and items need to be cut equally, INCLUDING pay and benefits of Senate, Congress and the Presidency. It's time elected officials, start leading from the front, instead of on the backs of the average American!! There is NO society of priveledge in D.C. and you all work FOR America, NOT the other way around! Do the Honerable and dignified thing: BE ethical leaders and set an example!!
Louis Ziegler commented on 2/27/2013

Have an congressional pay cut to fund the military side of the problems you all can't or don't want to correct. Get together and Play nice for our Country United we stand.
Louis Ziegler commented on 2/27/2013

Stop playing games with this country, You'll were put in office by the people who believed in you honesty, and integrity, I am looking to start a Facebook petition to not reelect a recumbent. And have them pass a law for a two term limit for all. Plus if a poll is sent out it would include that the medical care be changed to meet the terms of what you'll have done to the military, and the social security systems.
Gregg J commented on 2/27/2013

I noticed in both resolutions, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is being positioned under congressional appropriations...that's a foul. This agency was created to protect consumers from shady banking practices and needs to be independent of congressional appropriations. We all know what will happen if congress gets control of the purse strings...they will financially starve the bureau and crush its power to protect consumers...nice try congressman. Once again, when will you step up to the plate and introduce a resolution to outlaw congressional interaction with lobbyists and special interest groups? The 2014 elections are fast approaching and the clock is ticking...
Ellizabeth Parsons commented on 2/27/2013

I support a combination of taxes and spending cuts. And not just the social programs, the defense deparment needs to be included in the cuts and other non social programs.
Ellizabeth Parsons commented on 2/27/2013

I am for a combination of taxes increases on the wealthy and budget cuts. The cuts need to be not only for social welfare programs but need to include the defense department and other non-social programs.
Gerry S. commented on 2/27/2013

I favor giving agency heads flexibility to prioritize spending if sequestration takes effect. Also, require the head of each agency to validate unliquidated obligations in agency accounts and either use the deobligated funds to cover shortfalls or return them to the U.S. Treasury. Task the IGs to verify that agencies actually do thorough reviews of unliquidated obligtions and to identify additional areas where agency spending can be reduced in the short term and long term. Also, task GAO and CRS to identify areas to improve economy and efficiency and reduce spending.
Joycelyn Spight-Thrower commented on 2/27/2013

I am in support of the President's balanced approach to averting the sequester. By closing the tax loopholes for the wealthy, we increase revenues greatly. This is not a tax increase, it will eliminate loopholes that most of us would never see anyway (corporate jets, credits for sending jobs overseas, etc.) Smart and well thought out cuts are also necessary. As I have said to Congressman Forbes before, it saddens me that in the 18 months that this has been looming over our heads, Congress has not done their job and solved this problem before now. Here we are 2 days out and now it's a fire drill. This seems to be the way Congress operates. If any of us performed our jobs like that, we would be let go immediately.
Harry Harrington commented on 2/27/2013

How about "Compromise". Do you really think anyone in America is impressed with this grandstanding? If you worked for me I would fire you. Do you really think that oil subsidies are a good thing, with their record profits? There are so many wasteful subsidies this congress could do, but all I hear from Bohner is we offered something. How about all of you actually doing what we pay you to do? I just read a report that says congress has actually done nothing so far this year. I believe they said you had 13 actual days of work since the beginning of the new term. This country needs leadership, and this congress has shown none for the last two years. Who do you work for? Is it everyday Americans or the rich lobbyists? This is really getting old.
sandra lee commented on 2/27/2013

1. REPEAL OBAMACARE.. 2. STOP FUNDING OF ANY SORT FOR ILLEGAL ALIENS. 3. STOP DOLING OUT MONEY AND MILITARY EQUIPMENT TO MUSLIM COUNTRIES THAT ARE OUR SWORN ENEMIES. 4. REDUCE WELFARE SPENDING--THERE ARE MOTHERS HAVING ILLEGITIMATE BABIES AND COLLECTING GOVERNMENT MONEY FOR DOING SO. THESE MOOCHES MAKE MORE MONEY IN A YEAR THAN HONEST WORKERS.
Rich Miller commented on 2/27/2013

Congressman Forbes, until the Congress comes to the table with a plan to begin the reduction of our federal debt, the sequester seems to be the only way to get this debt reduction process started. The federal debt is the single item which will bring our country to its knees much like Greece (and the "single biggest threat to our national security" per Admiral Mullens). So until we are ready to move forward with a balanced plan such as Bowles/Simpson, the sequester should serve its intended purpose to force our political leaders to address our fiscal problems to protect our children and many generations to come.
Peter Higgins commented on 2/27/2013

Other than sequestration here are some ideas for alternative cuts. a) Apparently $45 billion in unspent money is left over in agency coffers that should be reclaimed and put towards this problem. b) Republicans should point out that Pres. Obama's idea of budgeting is to fear manger the American populace by claiming that the highest priority programs (DHS, OSD, etc.) programs be cut before the lowest priority programs. c) A full court press should be used to convince the public that Pres. Obama came up with the sequestration program and should not now be allowed to decry the results of the program to devised. and d) Republicans should not cave. Shame on Republicans for being so inept at governing! Pete Higgins
Gregg J commented on 2/27/2013

The DoD has a spending problem...that's crystal clear. For example, the DoD has 800K civilians supporting 1.4M active duty personnel. That's one DoD civilian to support every 1.75 active duty troops. As they say in the movies, Hello... McFly. Even with the sequester fast approaching, the DoD only wants to furlough this overburden of civilian staff. The DoD will never solve the problem within pentagon walls that's why sequester is needed, unpleasant as it may be. Additionally, ask the service chiefs why we need more general and admiral billets when active duty personnel have been cut significantly? Here are a few ways to start solving the DoD spending problem: 1) A 30% cut in the 0-7 through O-10 ranks 2)Elimination of the O-9 and O-10 ranks 3)Reduction in commissioned officer high year of tenure from 40 years down 35 years 4) DoD civilian staffing needs to be capped at a 1:10 ratio. Meaning with an active duty force of 1.4M, DoD civilian staffing should be capped at 140K 5) The inspector general (IG) needs to review all defense contract negotiations to reduce fraud waste and abuse. The (IG) will have final authority to change or modify contracts in the best interest of taxpayers These are cuts targeted where most of the waste is occurring in the DoD...civilian staffing and upper management.
Deianna Wynn commented on 2/27/2013

Perhaps you should just print your blog and read it to your cohorts in crime. It is very evident that all you guys in the big house on the hill have not taken any of your constituents thoughts and views to heart. What makes you think that this sequestration will not hurt anyone? Cuts across the board? Does this include every member of Congress and Senate's paycheck? You are taking over 20% of pay from federal workers, please tell me that for each pay period, you guys are giving something to the same pot. Us little people are tired, sick and tired of the Washington rhetoric, name calling and finger pointing . Each one of you should be fired, because you have yet to do the job in which you were elected to do. Stop holding America hostage and sit your behinds down, act like adults, make a conscious decision to save this country from bankruptcy and move the heck on! The Speaker of the House is directly responsible for all this mayhem and I personally think that he is in a personal war with the President. You don't have to like the man to work with him on issues that are far greater than yourself. Please let him know this. This is one reason why we can't get past passing a budget. I bet Mr. Boehner, if your job depended on it, you would find a way to make it happen really quick. No budget, no pay! Mr. Forbes, you and your brothers and sisters of the House really need to step up your game. The people should impose that a new law be written where you can not represent a district, or state for more than 2 years. We need fresh ideas, and elected officials that care about the people!
Robert Gorham commented on 2/27/2013

I am one of those government employees I hear bandied about like ping pong balls. I don't make a 6 figure income. I am married, have two children and have 39 years service. I have been eligible to retire now for nearly four years but haven't been able to with the economy as it is. Now I am facing furlong, a day per week for 22 weeks. That is 20% of my paycheck. To put that in number terms, I will be losing $350 per payday. That's $700 per month. Do you have any idea how bad that is going to hurt? I don't mean that I can't go out to dinner anymore or that movies are out of the question because I am already at that point. I have fast food maybe once every two weeks and the last movie I actually went to a theater to see was the Avengers. The last new car I bought was in 1987. Gas has gone up .50 cents a gallon since Valentine's Day. You think you can pass a bill that makes my bills 20% less during this time? I got to work everyday and do my job which is to make sure our Navy's ships are in top shape. I've done so since my Navy service ended over 35 years ago. What happens if I go to work and don't do my job? I would probably end up fired, that's what. We elect your to serve our needs and interests, to do a job by representing all of us. I have voted for you in every election and I appreciate much of what you do. Unfortunately, the government can fire me for not doing MY job, but the people can't. We have to wait until the next election. Being a native Californian I find the situation with Governor Davis some years back interesting. To bad there's no Recall at the Federal. Two years, or four years or six years is a long time to do a lot of damage when we have no recourse. You and your associates, Dem or GOP, are asking ME to pay for your inaction. Both sides need to get off there collective high horses and do what is good for the country. Raise taxes if you have to, it is easier than just taking $700 off the top. Cut spending for studies on the flow speed of catchup. Cut pork barrel and yes, the military has a good deal of fat as well. I voted for you with the expectation of you doing your job. If you don't, all I can do is vote against you next time. Not much of a threat, is it?
Ken Saiya commented on 2/27/2013

While I support sequestration It is as dumb as dumb gets to arbitrarily cut defense. I am a defense contractor but that is not my bias. I also want to be safe like everyone else. You can't always get the cat back in the bag once it is out. I know there are a lot more people that would say no to this but if we have our prioritizes correct we would first cut entitlement spending. Will Welfare, Medicare, and Social Security matter after we are attacked? Will it matter when fuel is 25 dollars a gallon because Iran turns the middle east into a war zone. We absolutely need to stop spending money we do not have and get back to only think government is good at and that is defense and infrastructure. It isn't even efficient at but it gets the job done well. As far as the rest I call it the failed social experiment that we have not figured out how to stop or to pay for. As for the last posting by Ray I would like to take it one further. Congress shall pass no bill that it does not apply to it's self, such as SSI and health care!
Nathan Ritchie commented on 2/27/2013

We need a reasonable compromise to resolve this issue. There should be some smart spending cuts and reforms in domestic programs and the defense department. The Buffet Rule should be rejected. The country does not need another tax rate increase before we get our budget priortized and entitlements reformed. However the other tax reforms proposed by Democrats are good ideas to close loopholes and make sure that businesses and individuals pay their respective tax rate. Combining these elements could easily reach the amount needed to cut the deficit. I hope you and the rest of Congress can come together and get this done for the country. The dumb Defense cuts as currently laid out are bad for the economy and more importantly our national security and country.
John Klar commented on 2/27/2013

Cut the allocation for discretionary spending, which I believe is 96 billion dollars. Also, freeze spending at the GFY 2012 level for the remainder of GFY 2013.
Cindee Cross commented on 2/27/2013

I am really tired of it all. I am tired of a president that says its either his way or the American people will suffer. His way or the highway. So when did the land of the free become a communist nation. Ii have never seen a goverment act like a bunch of kids and not give a Sam about its people. It doesn't matter what u do at this point it will affect everyone. Whether they loose their job or the taxes go up. We are all screwed out of our hard earned money while the rich get richer and continue to move their money to foreign countries so they won't go broke. I think that the senate, congress, and all federal legislative positions should give up their pay every other month to the debt. We should make sure that they can't spend any money of that given back. No redoing budgets after we start paying back the debt. No more cuts to our military. We need more focus on the wars in our own streets. No more raises to the senate, congress or legislative government for the next 6 years. That way this president didst leave anything on the shoulders of the next one. And the next president gets to evaluate their job performances before allowing the next raise to them. We should take away the rights of the goverment voting on their own raises. I believe the people should have that right. I could rant all day, however, at the end of the day just remember. THOSE WHO POINT FINGERS HAVE 3 MORE POINTING BACK AT THEM. So stop acting like a bunch of 3rd graders and get the job done. No matter how u do it we r screwed. It's inevitable. My husband pays 28% in taxes from his pay. This year he is paying 30%. We still owe the IRS at the end of the year. So the goverment already gets enough from us and we are by no means rich, but in two ways. GOD and FAMILY. Medical bills, rent, electricity, gas for vehicle to go to work and what we can budget after bills for food is how we live. I'm sure that's how every other honest American is living too. So God Bless Everyone who actually works hard for a living and their family. The rest of those people have already chosen their destiny. HELL.
Brenda Cole commented on 2/27/2013

Randy: The Obamas need to stop jetting all over creation #1. #2The federal government needs to address all the empty run down properties it owns and get them sold. The President has exhibited such bad behavior trying to scare the country, he is not fit to lead. There is so much waste, fraud and abuse and we just gave tax cuts to the Hollywood elites for making movies here? Are you kidding me??? Now Obama has the new organization OFA, which will give anyone with half a million dollars access to him and the administration. This is all insane. Meanwhile, DHS is buying ammunition by the gazillions along with AR 15's and now has let illegal criminals loose into our communities??? I am so outraged by all this. I have never in my lifetime seen such coming from a leader of the free world. This classless, bunch of Chicago thugs have made it clear they do not care what you offer, they will take, by hook or by crook, exactly what they want.
Jim H commented on 2/27/2013

There are numerous alternatives to the fast approaching federal furloughs (otherwise known as a 20% pay cut) that will likely soon impact the bulk of the civil service employees out there under sequestration (or se-castration, as I prefer to think of it). Instead of aiming wage cuts at the worker bees, would it not make more sense to focus attention on the 500,000 federal employees currently making more than $100,000 per year? (This includes members of congress at $174,000 per year and the president at $400,000+ per year.) These are the decision makers and leaders within their departments or agencies. In other words, these are the people that we (the taxpayers) are PAYING to properly manage the budgets with which they are trusted. Why not cap the salaries of each of these 500,000 federal employees at $100,000 per year for the next several years until they can demonstrate that they can effectively do their jobs. Let's look at the numbers... If this "savings" averaged $50,000 per year per person, the total savings for these 500,000 highly paid federal executives would come to $25,000,000,000 (that's $25 billion) per year. In my opinion, this makes more sense than the upcoming furloughs, which will devestate a huge block of the U.S. poulation, since the federal government is the single largest employer in the country.
Zachary Bon commented on 2/27/2013

You and the rest of your colleagues have let not only Virginia down, but the nation. Neither the Senate nor the House has the answer because it takes a crises for either chamber to begin to take action. If I operated at work the way the Congress has, I would have been fired long ago. Shame on you Mr. Forbes, the Congress, and the White House.
Zachary Bon commented on 2/27/2013

Shame on you Mr. Forbes, the Congress, and the White House for not doing what you are paid for; govern. You should all hold your head in shame for allowing this to happen. You are all to blame. If I performed at my job in the manner the Congress has, I would have been fired long ago. But you'll get re-elected again because no one wants that job... and that is the real shame of it.
Jim H commented on 2/27/2013

There are numerous alternatives to the fast approaching federal furloughs (otherwise known as a 20% pay cut) that will likely soon impact the bulk of the civil service employees out there under sequestration (or se-castration, as I prefer to think of it). Instead of aiming wage cuts at the worker bees, would it not make more sense to focus attention on the 500,000 federal employees currently making more than $100,000 per year? (This includes members of congress at $174,000 per year and the president at $400,000+ per year.) These are the decision makers and leaders within their departments or agencies. In other words, these are the people that we (the taxpayers) are PAYING to properly manage the budgets with which they are trusted. Why not cap the salaries of each of these 500,000 federal employees at $100,000 per year for the next several years until they can demonstrate that they can effectively do their jobs. Let's look at the numbers... If this "savings" averaged $50,000 per year per person, the total savings for these 500,000 highly paid federal executives would come to $25,000,000,000 (that's $25 billion) per year. In my opinion, this makes more sense than the upcoming furloughs, which will devastate a huge block of the U.S. population, since the federal government is the single largest employer in the country.
Christy Wooddy commented on 2/27/2013

Despite your ridiculous survey, which is so biased it is not worth responding to, it is clear your constituents favor a reasoned solution. We need sensible cuts to a bloated programs, cutting subsidies to industries that no longer need them and raising revenues by removing loopholes in the tax laws. I would love to just once buck Cantor and vote for the people you represent.
Scott Easton commented on 2/27/2013

Why are we where we are today must be answered first. Washington has an addiction to borrowing and spending is the first thing that comes to mind. Entitlements are the biggest reason we are in this position, and if you cannot afford it, you aren't entitled to it! First, I suggest that the so called "Affordable Care Act" be delayed (if not repealed) until such a time we can afford it. Cutting that alone out will save trillions! Obama has done nothing short if completely bankrupting our nation, he has us on our knees as it is now. I do not feel I am being heard in Washington. Second, raising taxes in this economy is the equivalent of playing Russian Roulette with a loaded gun. That is not the answer, rather one of the problems. We need to live within our means. I have 5 kids. I work full time, my wife works part time. Many years ago I made the decision that if I cannot pay cash for it, I do not need it. As a result, I am 43in years old and am debt free! That is how I feel our government should be run. Whatever happened to our integrity? It used to mean something to be an American, it was a privilege. Our government is squandering that and ruining my children future! Personal responsibility over entitlements, that is what we should be teaching. I am scared for my children future!
Michelle Joers commented on 2/27/2013

I want compromise. REAL compromise, that requires you people being willing to meet the Dems halfway. The House needs to sit down and do its job and originate legislation that they know isn't dead in the water. Legislation that is a compromise. Legislation that you should have passed over a year ago, when the sequestration was first introduced. Close the tax loopholes, cut some spending from redundant programs and find ways to work more efficiently. Get rid of the defense pork like the F-35, and protect necessary defense spending like maintenance and training. Invest in programs that help create jobs or develop innovation and infrastructure--jobs create income, income creates consumer spending and consumer spending makes more revenue to pay the bills. GOP austerity, on the other hand, will crush what recovery our economy has managed to make. There are ways to do this right--ways that don't hurt working families and low income children and the elderly and veterans and people that have paid their fair share towards corporate welfare and overpriced congressional salaries. But that requires Republicans sitting down with an intention to actually work, rather than acting like two year olds in a temper tantrum. Oh, and tell Boehner to stop calling it the Obamaquester or whatever the heck...ya'll voted for it too, and it never would have gone into effect if you had done your job in the first place (and your election might have gone better too).
Paul Strong commented on 2/27/2013

I agree with several others that none of your options represents a compromise position, and that is a shame. We must have more bipartisan cooperation in Washington. The alternative to sequestration should be balanced, with perhaps as much as half of the money coming from increased tax revenues, primarily from people making over $250,000 (whether it be from increased rates or closing loopholes.) The cuts should grant the Defense Dept. and other agencies flexibility in prioritizing their own funding, rather than implementing arbitrary cuts, consistent with what you call the Republican proposal.
Helen Farrell commented on 2/28/2013

The current plans (by both parties) to avoid sequestration and balance the budget are astigmatic. The dramatic budget cuts forced and/or proposed will only shuffle monies from one area of government to another - we are looking at massive amounts of money for increased unemployment benefits, huge increases in applications for early Social Security benefits and, yes, even more monies for social service programs for those families devastated by job losses. Why do our elected representatives continue to be so shortsighted? Tax increases for the wealthy? Absolutely - many of the wealthiest people in America have publicly announced their willingness to pay more and acknowledged it is far past time they pay a proportionate amount. Why are the Republicans ignoring them? Are they afraid THEY will have to pay more - of course! What about the massive amounts of money old loopholes still afford the oil industry - although gas prices continue to rise and companies like Exxon continue to report BILLIONS in profit -- quarterly! Middle class Americans (if there are any left) are no longer able to be the only citizens paying for entitlement programs -- like salaries and benefits for Congress and Senate! The impact to our national defense is terrifying and a neon sign to those who threaten our country. Idle ships, decreased military personnel, limited access to a ready military force serve as open invitations. How many millions of Americans will be impacted by Sequestration? Financially, physically and emotionally? Even our children are recognizing the depression and loss of hope and lack of confidence the adults are exhibiting. It is well past time that our representatives perform the jobs they were elected to do. If they don't? Keep a scorecard - bet there will be huge changes during future elections.
V Carr commented on 2/28/2013

Why aren't we cutting all the spending the U.S. does around the World? Instead of cutting Social Programs here at home, why aren't we cutting programs that support countries who "Hate" us? Not once have I heard anything about all the money that is spent around the world by the United States. As a Nation, we need to take care of our own, especially now that we're broke! If Republican and Democrats are truly serious about compromise, then they should put "EVERYTHING" on the table, not just their own pet grievances. Examples, Republicans want to cut social programs such as Social Security (a program which people have paid into it all of their working lives. They just can't wait to get their greedy hands on it. They feel cuts to that money will solve all the problems with this country. Just through all the elderly and disabled away. They're not contributing to society anyway). Then we have the Democrats who want to raise taxes, especially on the wealthy. I'm sure the wealthy want to do their fair share, but, they can't do it all. There must be a middle ground here without eliminating basic services we depend on to make life a little easier for all Americans. Because of all the waste and excess that has been going on in Congress for decades, I believe this is why we're in this situation now, along with the deregulation (Regean era ) which allowed all those huge corporations to just go wild with unethical and corrupt conduct, along with Congress and their pork programs. By the way,this almost brought down the "Whole World" (greed). We need to remember or we will repeat this behavior. So much waste! I hear so much negativity regarding our President and I'm appalled by the disrespect shown him. He didn't cause these problems. He inherited them!
Tim Thimons commented on 2/28/2013

I'm continually frustrated by our representatives not representing and focusing on the real issues. It is evident that those in power are not willing to change the way they do business. An example: I have noticed several DOD agencies recklessly spending my tax dollars on products being purchased through big business conglomerates via reckless contract vehicles (i.e. NETCENTS, ITES, etc.) that knowingly are higher priced than small businesses can deliver. These vehicles are doing nothing but making the rich, richer; while limiting free enterprise and leaving the small businesses scraping for scraps. These large contract vehicles do nothing for the economy! They are only there to lessen the workload at the taxpayers expense. Make the gov't employees work for their income and bring the best value back to our citizens. This is undoubtedly going on throughout the government, not just DOD. It will promote small businesses and improve the economy.
thomas G commented on 2/28/2013

I'm concerned about the safety of Americans with these indiscriminate cuts. It is particularly troubling congressman Forbes, that in today's passage of the Violence Against Women's Act - you voted NO!!! That does not give me any confidence whatsoever that you will respond sensibly to issues of gun violence in America, sequestration, or the minimum wage. What possible rationale is so troubling congressman Forbes that you could not step forward in support of the violence act? This too sir HARMS our country!
Bob Donovan commented on 2/28/2013

Your instapoll says which three...but only lets you select one. Check this stuff before you send it out.
Arlin Fynaardt commented on 2/28/2013

Its obvious that Congress and the white house will never agree on what to cut, so the best thing is to cut everything and quit whining about it. Everyone I hear on the news sounds like a spoiled 5 year old. It would be nice if you all could compromise, but since you can't, lets just do the sequestration. I'm sure the sky won't fall like all you Chicken Little's are claiming. Republicans need to quit acting like the Defense budget is sacred,and Democrats need to quit acting like they need to spend more than we have. We should send you all home.
Phoebe Cook commented on 2/28/2013

Both the Congress and the President are trying to cut the WRONG THINGS!!! Get rid of all of the graft, the Pork, all of the items slipped in the back door, and PLEASE CUT ALL FUNDS TO OTHER COUNTRIES !!!!! You are borrowing from China to give away to other countries !!! You need to take care of "THE PEOPLE" OF THIS GREAT COUNTRY !! NEVER CUT OUR MILITARY ! NEVER CUT OUR CHILDREN! and NEVER CUT OUR SENIORS. !!! And NEVER CUT OUR POLICE FORCE !! Thank You
Jim Brewer commented on 3/1/2013

Tell the liberal Senate leadership to get off their rear end and put the House bills on the floor for debate and vote.
Barrett Burka, M.D. commented on 3/6/2013

Congress wastes more of tax payer's money on pork-barrel projects, military planes that don't fly and congressional overseas junkets! Why worry over the cost of federal agencies meetings which are minuscule in comparison.
Jessica R commented on 3/6/2013

Gregg H quotes 1.4 m active duty with 800 k civs supporting them. But the army also supports ad family members, parents and disabled older children, retirees and their family members, pets, and the local communities. How many MILLIONS of people do you think this covers? Not that i'm hating bc they're soldiers and they deserve it. IF we can return deployed personnel to the US, along with the hundreds? thousands? of civilians that support them there, we still can't give them the standard of life to which they were promised from more than one POTUS. I think Jim H. makes an excellent point of slashing the over 100 k civilian salaries. We should slash the Officers salaries bc they are the ones hat have have increased our budgets 60% during a recession with no real money bc the US has been in debt the whole time. They increased my staff from 2 to 5, extended hours from 8.5 to 12 and made moredrugs an ever freely available to ALL beneficiaries. We told them it wouldn't work, it couldn't work, but all they cared about were patient satisfaction surveys. Overtime is regular. We can not meet the mission bc the mission is too high. Dependents can buy OTC meds wh their tax free income at the tax free commissary and PX. u Let those grubby money hungry MONEY WASTING dirty freaks take a second job for 22 days. If they don't like it,they can leave, and we will promote decent hard working people, who will do a better job at their brand new 100k jobs than and supporthe mle classf the middle class.

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