President Obama insisted on the sequester
This was his contribution to the 2011 budget deal. It was supposed to be bad, so that some deal would be made to cut the deficit. This sequester was Obama?s plan. But like so many other Obama ?promises? he didn?t figure on paying attention.
President Obama is good at getting things up front and then shifting out later on. Remember the promise that you could keep your doctor or insurance?
Obama is treating the sequester like an alcoholic treats promises to give up the booze. He creates a terrible scenario that will force him to swear off the sauce, but then when the moment of truth comes, he figures out a dodge or blames others.
Everybody hates the sequester. But if you really think about it, it is not so bad unless Obama wants to make it so. Most Federal agencies can find some fat to cut. My only fear is that Obama will mandate that the cuts be as painful as possible, so that he can blame Republicans.
Two things to remember when Obama is talking tonight. The sequester was something Obama pushed AND Obama folks can decide how to apply any cuts that might be required.
Maybe President Obama will give a speech more like a president than a partisan. Jefferson tried to include Federalists; Lincoln's Second Inaugural was very generous. These are standards too high for President Obama, but let's hope he has read and learned from history.
How about updating this language for the ending -
"With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations."