Had to get this off my chest. It's a comment turned diary that was meant for another diary that down played the Sequestration because entitlements are exempt.
First of all - I don't support "entitlement" cuts (assume quotation marks the rest of the diary). They suck. Please don't accuse me of that.
But I've noticed that folks on the Left tend to treat entitlements like religious sacraments while ignoring all of the other federal programs that make a huge difference in people's lives.
We have cut domestic discretionary spending down to the bone. These are important programs.
These programs may not receive SHOCK headline coverage on the Huffington Post when someone proposes cuts, but these programs collectively make have a significant impact. Many are responsible for revitalizing urban and rural communities that are overrun by crime and hopelessness or that have lost jobs overseas. Many help small businesses or middle class families access credit because banks won't do it. Others help enforce our regulatory system - a system that - while not sexy - protects the environment, worker safety, and infrastructure. Many other programs support long term American priorities by funding things public transit and scientific research.
Entitlements should be protected from cuts that take money out of the pockets of Americans. Maybe we can find additional savings and reforms for Medicare and Medicaid, but Social Security - a meager subsidy for the elderly - should be off the table.
But let's not forget (or let the President forget) that the government does much more than administer entitlement programs. Domestic discretionary spending is incredibly important.