TCTI: Too Crazy Too Ignore
 Dave Ross
AP: 5ed59ecb-4c35-429a-aa37-a9b47160e9b1
Even knowing that furlough notices are going out to almost 800,000 defense workers, Speaker John Boehner said once again, "It's time to cut spending here in Washington." (AP Photo/File)

Not realizing you've won

BY Dave Ross  on February 26, 2013 @ 6:10 am (Updated: 6:34 am - 2/26/13 )

When health care was being debated, I was surprised at how angry Republicans were. They hated Obamacare even though it had its roots in a conservative think-tank, and was modeled on what Mitt Romney did in Massachusetts.

Democrats had abandoned their dream of a single-payer system, in favor of keeping private insurance. Yet Republicans didn't seem to realize that they had won! It's a perennial problem in Washington: Mistrust of the other party can leave you blind to your own victories.

And now, it's the Democrats turn to not realize they've won.

As this sequester edges one more day closer to reality, the thing that seems to have surprised Democrats is that a majority of Republicans are ready to let those defense cuts happen. Even knowing that furlough notices are going out to almost 800,000 defense workers, Speaker John Boehner said once again, "It's time to cut spending here in Washington."

Which is weird enough - but what's weirder is hearing all these worried Democrats!

Democrats who have pointed out for years that the U.S. spends more on defense than - how does that go now?

"We spend more on our military than the next 10 countries combined," said Obama.

Which I believe actually understates the case, since many of those countries are on our side.

But of course every time Democrats have tried to trim defense, those hawkish Republicans always stood in the way, ready to call them surrender monkeys.

Well take a look - they're not standing in the way anymore. They're letting it happen. They're giving you an intentional walk. Why not accept the gift. It's not often Republicans give up a base.

Dave Ross, KIRO Radio Talk Show Host
Dave Ross is co-host of The Ross & Burbank Show on KIRO Radio (weekdays 9-Noon) and never too far from the spotlight.
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Comments (25)


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  • wsualumn wrote...
    Military Cuts
    February 26, 2013 5:57 am
    Are needed, along with many other cuts. The one thing that I find interesting is that The GOP has said for years that the government doesn't create jobs, yet we are going to see a lot of jobs lost in the military sector and other areas as well.
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  • AceBass wrote...
    Have you spent much time?
    February 26, 2013 10:47 am
    working around government contractors? You need to hire 3 to get the work done of one, and that is being very lenient. Most government jobs are salaried welfare. Very well paid welfare. Very well benefited too.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • MainEvent wrote...
    Yeah and also
    February 26, 2013 11:34 am
    that giving corporate and business tax breaks will create jobs.....Take a look at chase, despite record profits they are laying of 19,000 people. Republicans will say whatever they need to say in order to get a vote.
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  • ron prevost wrote...
    Dave, your premise is a misnomer - Obama KNOWS he's won !
    February 26, 2013 5:59 am
    And all the false panic from the democrat side is either working the talking points or some being out of the loop.

    I can't be sure, but I believe Obama wanted the sequester cuts from day one. After all, no matter how draconian the 'cuts' may be, they are simply cuts in the increases - not cuts to below even last year. ................. And be specific draconian cuts to popular or otherwise needed programs, the president can and will blame the republicans. ... So it's win/win, and the military gets degraded to boot.

    I've called this president the Wizard of Oz for a reason. Unfortunately neither the media nor 51%+ of the voters have shown any inclination to look behind the screen. .............. Maybe you can't fool all of the people all of the time - but 51% does work.

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  • William Lawn wrote...
    Mr. ron, who was it that said
    February 26, 2013 6:07 am
    I got 98% of what I wanted?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • HPD 5-0 wrote...
    Don't forget, Davey...
    February 26, 2013 6:15 am
    Owebama also called Bush "unpatriotic" for racking up 1/4 the national debt that Barry has, and Barry did it in half the time! Oh, DimoRat hypocrisy...thy cannot recognize thyself....
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  • Chuck Gould wrote...
    I suspect the Republicans are actually delighted with the budget cuts....
    February 26, 2013 6:24 am
    but why waste an opportunity to criticize the other party?

    If we're spending too much, it's all the fault of the other party!

    If we cut back spending, that's going to create a disaster that will be the fault of the other party as well!

    Yawn.

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  • Fuego wrote...
    Wouldn't be a big deal..
    February 26, 2013 6:58 am
    if the first cut was made to Congress paycheck. This so called "disaster" wouldn't make the local news much less all the whining that's going on now. Michelle should've given the Oscar to D.C. as everyone there is putting on a pretty good show.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ratrustle wrote...
    Credit where credit is due
    February 26, 2013 7:13 am
    And Obama is no Wizard. He IS the consumate "Slacker President" who's happened to be in the right place a few times. When you shoot from the hip rather than use the information that experts give you -- you can expect to be right about 50% of the time. Sounds about right here.
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  • daveismenotyou wrote...
    "Defense workers?"
    February 26, 2013 7:13 am
    They are civilians. Support the military, yes. But don't act like we are talking about furloughs for soldiers. Language is important. It is sad though that many people will see your furloughs of "defense workers" and believe we are firing our complete fighting force.
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  • Fuego wrote...
    Correct with this adder...
    February 26, 2013 7:52 am
    nobody is getting laid off on March 1. There might be 60 day warning notices which is plenty of time for the boneheads in DC to do something.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • RobertK wrote...
    from what I've been told...
    February 26, 2013 8:27 am
    My buddy is a supervisor in the maintenance department at PSNS. He claims once they miss the fiscal year deadline, (sequester date), they will be forced into a 22 week reduction regardless of what they do in D.C. Whether that is correct, I don't know, but that is what they are planning on happening.
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  • Raymong wrote...
    30 days
    February 26, 2013 1:50 pm
    It is a 30 day notice.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Lonestar wrote...
    Seems to me
    February 26, 2013 7:59 am
    There is enough money for Michelle to hang out with her Hollywood buddies and for Barry to go golfing with Tiger. It's all about setting priorities.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • mnpat wrote...
    I'm sorry but, "Not realizing you've won"
    February 26, 2013 8:24 am
    Doesn't help the American people, you can keep the war going on moderates and conservatives Dave, being the liberal you are. I personnaly would prefer to see politicians working together and end the rhetoric war.
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  • flipper wrote...
    Dave...
    February 26, 2013 12:15 pm
    ...is a twit.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Raymong wrote...
    Bringing down
    February 26, 2013 9:06 am
    If bringing down this country means they've won then I guess you're right. There does seem to be a concerted effort to change this country from we the people to we the elite and give the rest of it away to our debitors, then I guess the Dems win.
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