A round-up of depressing reporter laziness on the sequester. I think we should just replace, at this point, all pundits with a parrot we’ve taught to yell BOTH SIDES DO IT. At least the parrot would be fun to wach.
Both sides wrong: Holding sequester in contempt
Rolling Stone and Matt Taibbi, who should know better:
Sequestration Cuts Crisis Makes Me Want to Strangle Both Sides
NBC News, in a masterpiece of Not Pissing Anyone Off:
Both sides declare a budget truce — for now…
[snip]
After their fifth budget battle in the past two years and after the sequester cuts went into effect on Friday, both sides seemed to wave the white flag and declare a political truce — for now.
[snip]
What does this mean? Frankly, both sides have to be politically exhausted.
[snip]
After some breathing room, after both parties let their budget processes play out, and after evidence that the U.S. economy has been negatively impacted by the sequester, both sides could determine that a Grand Bargain is in their interest …
Are both sides bluffing on the sequester?
ABC/Post polling also has found a continued preference for a mix of tax increases and spending cuts to reduce the deficit, as well as greater approval for Obama vs. the Republicans in Congress on handling federal spending, as reported in an ABC/Post poll last week. That suggests risk for both sides, but particularly the GOP, if the mood over sequestration cuts turns sour.
The point is, Congress has been living with sequestration in one form or another for more than a quarter century. It is irrelevant who originally proposed the latest incarnation. Both parties voted for it with the understanding that across-the-board cuts were so onerous and stupid they would drive both sides to the table to fashion a smart alternative.
Now, both sides are trying to deny paternity.
USA Today, on political polarization in general and not just the sequester:
A majority on both sides say politics are more divided because both parties have changed: Democrats becoming more liberal and Republicans more conservative.
The Hill, Trent Lott (!!!!) and Tom Daschle:
Democrats and Republicans today often seem less like respectful political opponents and more like immovable partisan enemies who question one another’s motives and even love of country. Extreme wings of both parties are gaining strength from powerful special interests, creating a deepening ideological divide that makes even routine collaboration rare.
That’s it. I’m going back to bed.
A.
our liberal media.