While Congress bickers about who came up with the sequester, we are fast approaching the March 1 deadline when devastating across-the-board cuts to education, infrastructure, public health and safety, transportation, and job training will automatically take effect. Days from now, 70,000 children could be 'kicked-off' of head-start programs, 13,000 teachers laid off, and countless families cut off from vital social services.
An in-effect sequester would compromise our national security, food security, and even stunt the healing economy. While our communities are caught in the middle of a political "blame game," the only question that needs to be asked and answered is: "Is Congress acting responsibly and in the interest of all the American people?" So far the answer is "no."
Where does it all end? I think Congress forgot why they were elected and that they work for the people. They need to put aside political posturing before the unthinkable happens. If the sequester goes into effect, countless families and working people will struggle even more.
Congress has an obligation to us and the acumen for a balanced approach to rebuilding the economy. This means the richest 2 percent and corporations need to pay their fair share of taxes. Close the tax loopholes because the middle class and working families cannot tolerate severe cuts to services, education, and healthcare. Stop the blame game and act compassionately and responsibly.