Response to “Looming Deadline and Consequences” by Ashley Huedepohl

Unfortunately, no compromises have been reached at this time. The supercommittee has failed in its mission, and the automatic $1.2trillion cuts are looming closer than ever. The chances of Congress agreeing on viable budget cuts seems slim at this point. The Republicans do not want to raise taxes on the rich, and the Democrats do not want to decrease spending to the point needed for a viable package. Politics is getting in the way of effective decision making, and it is embarrassing.
    As for the automatic budget cuts, I am sad that they are in place but I do not oppose them. They may be the only thing that with the ability to force a better compromise. Without some impetus, there would be no chance of a more appealing agreement. I think President Obama did the right thing in promising to enforce the automatic budget cuts. If they were an empty threat, they would lack the needed force to pressure our representatives in Washington D.C..
    At this point, it might be a good idea for both houses of Congress to vote on the proposals that have been made for budget cuts. Though the supercommittee failed, maybe Congress can agree collectively on which plan is the most appealing. From personal experience, I know the probability of a larger group coming to an intricate compromise when a smaller one has already failed to do so is slim. After all, that is why committees were created in the first place. But there is strength in a collective vote because it allows the general opinion to be heard and seen as opposed to speculated about. The certainty of a vote might just be what our democratic nation needs at this point.

http://articles.nydailynews.com/2011-11-22/news/30431179_1_spending-cuts-president-obama-defense-budget