The American government and sequestration
Sequestration is a financial term referring to processes that a government or an organization takes to limit their spending. It is a preventative measure to allow smooth functioning. In the case of The United States, sequestration reduces the volume of the federal budget. It involves cutting back in broad areas of government departments. As such, the departments will be able to perform all the duties assigned to them, but on a limited spending. Sometimes congress automatically invokes sequesters after it fails to limit the spending caps by a certain percentage. Sequesters have become extremely common especially after the recession. There is a lot of backlash between the Republicans and the democrats as to whether sequestering is necessary or it would be putting the economy through jeopardy (Shear). The sequestered areas of government that could affect the American citizens are areas of medical care, the military and education.
Recently, there has been an outcry in Washington after sequestering the military. There are several questions raised as to whether the money appropriated to the military is sufficient especially considering the importance of the military. Budget cutbacks in the military would affect how the military defends its people. There would be insufficient funds to keep up with the materials necessary for war, especially seeing as how American troops are still in war torn areas such as Iraq. Cutbacks would also affect how other countries view the United States. In a way, it would limit America’s influence and power as America has the best military in the world. The government would not have enough funds to clean up suspected nuclear waste areas. Michael Shear’s of the New York Times is of the opinion that the president has a lot to gain politically (Shear). This is because most people would blame the republicans for military cutbacks therefore garnering further support into the issue.
The United States public health center has not been without its issues. Cutbacks to Centers for Disease Control limit the amount of preventative research done on a regular basis. To give a better perspective on the issue, examples of areas that would be affected by a smaller financial package includes testing on HIV/AIDS, production of vital vaccines as well as research into serious illnesses such as mental health. Public hospitals and free clinics that rely on grants will also suffer.
Based on Katy Kay’s article in the BBC world News, the education department would also undergo serious problems. State education departments would have to fire Millions of teachers once congress invoked sequesters. Fewer teachers would affect the quality of education provided especially in public schools that rely on teachers, as most parents cannot afford private schooling. The department of education would also have to cancel after -school programs that keep children off the streets in a bid to control government spending. Cancellation of grants to fund poor children through school would take effect causing innocent children to suffer over financial situations they cannot control. Parents that have children with special needs would be unable to put them through school, as suspension of funds for the Disabilities Education Act would take place areas (Kay)
According to Michael Shear of the New York Times, there is no doubt that sequestration is necessary especially in the recent political climate. America needs to stabilize its economy fast before it bears down further on its citizens. The level of debt in the United States gets big every year. The thing about sequestration is that it entails uniform cutbacks across all boards. The effects of sequestration may not be felt until a couple of years or months as most government departments have sufficient funds to last them for a while. It is vital to note that they are long term. Millions of people will be unemployed, and several businesses will crumble. Government departments should set up emergency funds to cushion themselves from the effects of the financial rations. The citizens will blame the Obama administration if the sequestering turns out to be an overhyped situation.
Works Cited
Shear, D. Micheal. Obama faces political risks in emphasizing effects of spending cuts. The New
York Times. Web. 7 March 2013.
Available at:
<http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/05/us/politics/sequestration-poses-political-risks-for-obama.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 >
Kay, Katty. Katty Kay answers your sequester questions. BBC News. Web. 7 March 2013.
Available at:
<http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-21625070>
