The sequestration was always a stupid idea. Faced with a leaky roof, Congress declared “either we fix the roof or we blow it up!” Congress even in its most functional times is not a paragon of wisdom and efficiency, but this was extra ridiculous. Nevertheless, we were told, the whole point of the endeavor was to pass a bill so stupid it would never be carried out. It calls to mind that certain scene from “Blazing Saddles”.
But a funny thing happen: they blew the roof. And now what do we have? Well, half of Congress thinks that the roof was wasteful to begin with. The other half thinks that as long as they have a tarp over their room, it’s all good.
Thus, it is clear, that as a governing tactic, the sequestration has been an utter failure. The whole point was to make the pain so great to both sides (defense spending cuts for Republicans, social program cuts for Democrats) that neither side would want to go over. So what happened? Turns out the majority of the Republican caucus in Congress is happy to throw defense spending out the window. And Democrats are so milquetoast that FAA delays will cause them to buckle, but cuts to Head Start won’t. So we have pain all around, and Congress willing to do nothing unless it affects them personally.
As a tactic it was bad, but as an overall governance strategy it’s worse. Because this presages the next round: no budget deal unless the debt ceiling can be taken hostage again. So we’ll have more uncertainty, more chaos, and more stupid policy. Because Ted Cruz!
I ascribe most of the blame here to Republicans: they are insisting on a tax posture that is unsustainable given our commitments to retiring Baby Boomers. It’s that simple. Nevertheless, Democrats have been A+ enablers every step of the way, including President Obama for signing that FAA funding bill.
As for those people who claim that the lack of more widespread fallout from the sequester proves that government spending is too high, well, I can cut off 5% of your body, perhaps your hand, and you’ll live. But that sure doesn’t prove you weren’t using it before.