US sequestration

Over the last week, the US Congress has done nothing to impede the – so much feared and talked about- looming idea of sequestration from being activated.

For a few months it had been seen as more of a lack of understanding between the two main parties around what recipe to use, than as a real option to be considered.

So far, every fiscal skirmish between Democrats and Republicans has been moderated with a reprieve, but now, after the decision has been reached, any logical solution seems to have run aground.

The idea of the sequestration stems from the dire need to reign public spending. It was born as a panic button to be pressed preceding a situation during which the likelihood of politicians being unable to get their acts together was great, and hence, returning them to the right track.

However, today,  the feeling reigns that, having had to resort to such an extreme solution demonstrates a failure of democracy in itself.

The collateral effects may be daunting and devastating for the economy. There are lots of places utterly reliant on public spending. Not to mention what the consequences might be for primary public services, such as health care, education or defense.

The world could witness an upheaval between social classes, leading to the middle class being wiped out in favor of two polarized kinds: the very poor and the very rich.

There were people thinking that the last election could bring something interesting to the table, but voters plumped for the status quo, leaving the problem as it was. Anyway, the idea of any party ending up with unfettered power was a bit naïve.

Even after the inconclusive result, there was a failsafe to dodge the sequestration:  the red tape surrounding it. But it was not a decisive hurdle either.

Now, there are some people pushing for the implementation of the measure as fast as possible so as to at least share common ground and make a start. On the other hand, there are others fearing outrage and violence pouring out.