Are you Worried the Sequester Will Affect You?
Massachusetts is chock full of defense contractors, federal employees and federal program beneficiaries. Are you worried the federal budget sequester will hurt your family's finances?
The federal government has until Friday before its self-imposed sequestration deadline. If enacted, the across-the-board cut to the federal budget could mean layoffs, decreased aid and lower government spending.
That could mean trouble for some very popular government programs, like Social Security and Medicare. Defense contractors are also preparing for lost and reduced contracts with the government.
Locally, it could also doom smaller programs that have a big impact. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps families in need pay for home heating oil and other energy costs. Massachusetts stands to lose over $11 million in assistance under this one program. Representatives Ed Markey and Jim McGovern are trying to shield the program from cuts.
Though designed as a tool to force Republicans and Democrats to negotiate smarter deficit reduction, the threat of indiscriminate cuts has not yet led to a brokered deal.
What about your own pocketbook: Will the sequester affect you? Do you work for the government or in a job that’s dependent on government programs? Are you worried sequestration will hurt you financially or be a drag on the economy? Or is it bitter medicine for a country that needs to lower its debt? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.
Steven LaCasse
10:38 am on Monday, February 25, 2013
Looks like overspending in the past is now going to hurt the much needed programs such as heating assistance, its time we learn to live within our means.
Bob Thomas
11:39 am on Monday, February 25, 2013
I'm more worried about people publishing senseless hyperbole such as this.
Hector
1:12 pm on Monday, February 25, 2013
How's that Hope, Change and Forward doing?
Mel Cross
1:30 pm on Monday, February 25, 2013
yes, lost my job because of it.............. Thanks Obama. I hope Aunt Zetuni and Uncle Omar are doing well with their freebies............
Matt
2:58 pm on Monday, February 25, 2013
Mel Cross. Sorry to hear that. What company did you work for?
Mike
6:45 pm on Monday, February 25, 2013
Socialism at its finest! Well said Hector
LCT
7:52 pm on Monday, February 25, 2013
Only in Washington DC could trimming $84 billion, less than 3%, of proposed discretionary spending over the next 10 years could be called a "cut".
I am sick to death of politicians saying the sky is falling every time we turn around. If they'd do their jobs in a timely & efficient manner, quit finger-pointing, cut out all the pork slid into almost all bills perhaps we could get a handle on out-of-control, record levels of spending.
You & I all have to live on a budget, what's wrong with the government living on one? Oh, I forgot, the Senate hasn't passed a budget in the last four years because no one wants their fingerprints on any difficult decisions & they'd rather worry about keeping their jobs instead of actually doing their jobs.
Disgusting & irresponsible behavior by the lot of them in DC. To add insult to injury both the politicians & the main street media are engaging in scare tactics; they must think we are all idiots.
Questions things?
7:41 am on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
LCT - The problem is, the "idiots" believe anything said on the evening news. Then do as they are told when election day comes around.
Holly Nadler
9:12 pm on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Could I make a modest suggestion that people use their real names when they're laying out their proposals for a better world? Can we not stand behind our ideas with out true identities?
LCT
2:02 am on Thursday, February 28, 2013
Good idea, Holly. I can't speak to other folks reasons, but I will tell you that over the last 8 yrs I've managed to pick up two different stalkers from me using my own name on-line neither of which I ever communicated with.
One stalker was basically just a pain, sending all kinds of inappropriate emails, etc. However, the other was so scary I had to notify the police as this sicko got my name, DOB, home address & phone number; he had pictures of me entering my mom's house & a grocery store. It took me over 18 months to get rid of him, multiple phone number & email ISP/address changes. It was so bad, I actually considered selling my home & leaving the state after threats of bodily harm, in disgusting graphic detail. As a woman living alone, I don't care to ever go through that frightening experience again, ever. Though the police tried, they never were able to track this unbalanced fruitcake down.
Paul O
3:26 pm on Friday, March 15, 2013
Internet safety is taught in elementary school. You should take the class.
Michael West
9:45 pm on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
What a refreshing concept, Holly!
GSG
9:24 am on Thursday, February 28, 2013
A politician telling you to be afraid is like a restaurant owner telling to to be hungry.