The Sequester Is a Budgetary Dirty Bomb

The sequester will be a disaster for the Republican Party of 'no'

By Brad Bannon

, President of Bannon Communications Research

March 1, 2013

About Brad Bannon:

Brad Bannon is president of Bannon Communications Research, a political polling and consulting firm which helps labor unions, progressive issue groups, and Democratic candidates win public affairs and political campaigns.

The sequester already is a disaster for the GOP if the national polls are any indication. It couldn't happen to a nicer group of guys but unfortunately Americans will suffer along with the party of no. Nothing for big oil to worry about though, Republicans fought hard to make sure that the $4 billion in federal tax freebies for the oil companies survive.

I have a few words of advice for my fellow citizens as the austerity asteroid is about to hit the U.S.

Call a police officer, firefighter, or paramedic while you still can because there will be fewer of them to respond to emergencies. Federal money supports state and local programs to pay and train first responders. The first question that the operator will ask you when you call 911, is "cash or charge?"

[See a collection of political cartoons on sequestration and the fiscal cliff.]

Educate your kid while you still can. Education programs will take a hit as reductions in federal spending to school districts will drop, teachers will lose their jobs and class sizes will get even higher than they are now. The Republicans can't wait for federal funds for education to decline but a recent Pew Research Center poll indicates that a big majority of Americans want to increase federal support for schools.

Make alternate travel plans. This will be a very bad time to fly safely. It will be a bad time to get out of the United States but it will be a good time for a terrorist to sneak in. The sequester will mean layoffs and furloughs for traffic air controllers who work for the Federal Aviation Administration, clerical employees who process passport applications in the State Department, and the guards who secure our borders for Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The dirty budget bomb is about to explode. Americans take federal programs for granted but it won't be long until people feel the pain. You don't miss your water until your well runs dry.