Last Friday marked the deadline for the implementation of mandated federal budget cuts. Although certain entitlement programs that contribute significantly to the budget deficit were not affected, the across-the-board reductions have impacted areas such as public schools, transportation, the military, and Head Start. City Manager Jay Ash is currently evaluating how these cuts will affect the Chelsea budget.
At this time, the full consequences of the ongoing disagreement between Republicans and Democrats remain unclear. Economists warn that the longer this issue remains unresolved, the more detrimental it will be for the economy and for citizens who rely on these programs.
We acknowledge that changes are necessary regarding the federal deficit and the administration and funding of various programs.
We also recognize that the nation appears to be struggling with how to effectively address these challenges.
Nevertheless, the current stalemate is not an appropriate method for governing the country. No one involved in this debate holds all the correct answers or all the incorrect ones.
President Abraham Lincoln’s most notable quality was his ability to understand both sides of an argument and find a compromise.
Today, it seems that no one in Washington possesses that same capability.
We believe that complicating a problem makes finding solutions more difficult. We also believe that taking several small steps toward a solution is more effective than attempting one large step.
We hope that our elected officials will avoid allowing this stalemate to continue until September, as some political analysts have suggested.
We concur with Boston Mayor Thomas Menino when he stated, “The people in Washington just need to be sensible.”. Perhaps this is the beginning of a resolution to the impasse.