Sequester’s Biggest Losers

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Sequester’s Biggest Losers

If one were to believe the media over the last few weeks, Friday’s events would have had the same effect on the American economy as the Chelyabinsk meteor had over the Ural mountains in February. The media buildup of the Sequester deadline led many to believe that the financial markets would come crashing down.

The truth is, these cuts and furloughs will take place between March 1st and September 30th. So there is time to avert some of what is perceived as the inevitable. The lack of cooperation within our government is frustrating, especially with what’s at stake around the world. The unity of post-911 is but a distant memory.

What made the Sequester much worse was the overwhelming participation of the divided media. All of the heavyweights came out to give their viewpoints on what should be done, why they should be done and why the people on the ‘other side’ don’t care about our elderly, our children’s future, health care, national defense and whatever other sector of the United States could be thrown into the mix. “The ‘other side’ is wrong, must hate our country, but we have fixes and change that will take place in the next election.”

So who’s the real losers? It’s not the politicians, unless of course you’d include the growing numbers that are tuning out. It’s not the media, as they continue to increase their ratings and advertising by promoting provocative viewpoints and well known critics.

It’s the people – the common worker. And during the Sequester they will be hit the hardest. Not because of the direct effect or whether the cuts are right or wrong. But because in the long run they will work harder to overcome the divisions in this country – divisions that don’t bode well for the American dream. That dream begins with efficiency, planning, execution. But it’s foundation is communication and simple respect.

Americans deserve better.

Mark Schuster, Partner

March 3, 2013

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