Schieffer: D.C. underestimated its own ineptitude

(CBS News) Ronald Reagan used to say that for all our differences, if we were attacked by aliens from outer space, Earth's people would come together and defend the planet.

All that space junk crashing into Siberia made me wonder, though. Was he right? Probably.

But after watching Washington's blundering effort to deal with the so-called sequester, I wouldn't bet the ranch on it.

Mind you, these automatic cuts in spending that go into effect March 1 are Washington's own doing. The law cuts spending programs to the bone, it ends Head Start, reduces the number of food inspectors, insures longer lines at airports because of massive furloughs of federal workers -- not to mention layoffs at ship yards and on and on and on, all of which would probably cause a recession.

The idea was that no sane person would allow such cuts to happen, which (it was theorized) would force Congress and the White House to take responsible steps to slow down deficit spending.

Well, guess what: Even Washington managed to underestimate its own ineptitude.

The sequester and the draconian cuts are about to happen, because the White House and Congress cannot close the partisan divide and figure out what to do about them.

There is some good news. If aliens DO attack, our leaders will be well-rested to meet the challenge. After Congress left town Friday for yet another vacation, the president flew to Florida for some golf.

[CHuZZY1]

AND THE MORONS THINK BALANCING the budgets hard!!!!!!!!!!1

[CHuZZY1]

How about we stop paying the "professional"poor huge salaries/housing/healthcare etc.etc.etc. and start paying our military,elderly, people who've actually worked and people who have ligitament physical needs at least a comparable amount.Granted the "psychosis"{(not a real diagnosis of any form)BUT GOOD ENOUGH FOR A LIFE TIME SALARY} are now the "normal" people and anyone who attempts to disagree with the "system" or has morals and/or values is 'instatutionalized' and ruined.Why not clear the "psyc" wards of the people who are being forcefully held against their will and immediately instatutionalize the people who are freely and willingly having all their expenses paid because they're to "ill" to work(but more then able to steal,use others identities,rape,murder,electrocute,etc.etc.)or bring our servicemen home and send them over to countries in unarmed positions especially since they make a heck of alot more money and are treated these days with a lot more respect. Unless of course the local "hospital" needs bodies to cover themselves with and the fact the 'soup' kitchens (It's been my experience anyway) heavily poison/"medicate" their food.!!!!!!!!1

[CHuZZY1]

The budget would be extremely easy to balance if we started only paying doctors and nurses salaries to actual doctors and nurses. Started making hospitals,elderly 'care','mental' instatutions, homeless 'shelters',VA's, and retirement "communities", along with social "services", accountable and make sure they're actually taking care of a person instead of charging for unwarrented "procedures",and 'medications' on people they aren't helping and/or killed a long time ago but have successfully kept "alive" on paper.Any one who's ever had an elderly relative left for any lenght of time in most retirement "homes" know first they liquadate the persons assets,and charge the government while removing any identifiable marks i.e.tatoos for they could be "cancerous" no its so they can claim anyone similiar in size is them.(try visiting someone you know unannounced).The medical community,social "services"/"security",paired with completely corrupt municapalities need to be cut.and quite frankly headstart would work alot better if it wasn't just an excuse to pay people to make sure our youngest children are heavily medicated/kept zombified and turned into unfeeling psychotics!!!!!!!!!!!1 Oh and stop paying for "people"/"care" givers,homeless,social security staff etc.etc.etc. electrocution devices/'tazers' and batteries to cause others strokes and brain damage I'd SURE BE ABLE TO SPELL BETTER!!!!!!!!!!1

[MTATL670]

Well said Mr. Schieffer

[Molly-Pchr]

dunderheads

[highlndr55]

Bob, it is good to see that you are placing the blame where it belongs - with the whole of Congress and the Divider in Chief. Maybe this will be a start for CBS to start reporting all the news and not be selective in only reporting the good about the Dems and the bad about the Republicans.

[nobs10]

The aliens have attacked and been given amnesty. They are crawling all over every state every city, taking our jobs, welfare, medical and politicians. Wake up, being a bogart leftist has made you sluggish.