It's never popular with many folks when budget cuts hit. Often it could mean less perks, less vacation time, less of the little things that make an office fun.
But folks, the President isn't cutting the budget. He's freezing the budget.
What this means is that each agency won't get its customary 3-5% increase. Even for the agencies that might actually face cuts, this probably means that not one government employee will lose his or her job.
Yes, I know, over time, a freeze is a cut given inflation, but come on. Given that we are currently running a $13 TRILLION dollar debt and 2 TRILLION dollar annual deficit, I think we can learn to live without a 3-5% annual padding.
And not just to get votes. If you really think we can ignore the amount of debt the US is really in, you're dreaming.
Should we cut the defense budget? Heck yes. Is there a lot of fat there? Heck yes. But now is not the time. You don't send the message of cutting the defense budget at a time of war, if you want to live, politically.
But don't tell me that this is the end of the world. This means that most federal agencies won't get their little annual padding.
Before we hyperventilate and die, let's get real about this.
Like it or not, we live in a world where the government spends 3-5% more every year guaranteed. All agencies earned an extra 7% last year, whereas tons of working Americans had unpaid furloughs or were laid off.
The stimulus was large and is still rolling.
Let's keep everything in perspective here.