Budgets

Wow... the worst one-day loss in a few years and the market's in the red for 2011.  It's a good thing we didn't default, yanno?

―:☺:―

There's this about that...

Fiscal Responsibilities: Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said Wednesday the $350 billion in cuts to defense spending over the next decade that were included in the Budget Control Act of 2011, the nation's new debt ceiling legislation, can be implemented without affecting military operations or readiness. However, he cautioned that further reductions, if executed in a "hasty" or "ill-conceived way," would indeed "undermine the military's ability" to function. "The debt ceiling agreement contains a sequester mechanism that would take effect if Congress fails to enact further deficit reduction. If that happens, it could trigger a round of dangerous across-the-board defense cuts that would do real damage to our security, our troops and their families, and our ability to protect the nation," wrote Panetta in a statement to military members and their families. "This potential deep cut in defense spending is not meant as policy. Rather, it is designed to be unpalatable to spur responsible, balanced deficit reduction and avoid misguided cuts to our security." (AFPS report by Karen Parrish) 

Gosh, I'm just all warm and fuzzy, secure in the knowledge this Sooper-Dooper, Yet To Be Selected, Bi-Partisan Special Committee of Six Esteemed Congresspersons can do what no one else has been able willing to do in this space: achieve "responsible, balanced deficit reduction."  Just in the last year we've had the Simpson-Bowles Budget and Deficit Reduction Plan (DOA), Joe Biden's Budget Negotiation Committee or Deficit Working Group, or whatever-the-hell-it-was, The Gang of Six's Plan (DOA, also), Sen. Conrad's Sooper-Secret Budget (with no details), Harry-Fucking-Reid's Plan, Sen. Coburn's Plan, Sen. McConnell's Plan, at least three iterations of the Boehner Plan, and the Paul Ryan Budget... none of which even came close to making it into law.  So how is this newest kick-the-can committee gonna be any different? 

Yeah.  Warm and fuzzy.  That's me.