My Take On The 'Sequestration' Blues (And Thunderbirds Too)
Monday, March 4, 2013 at 11:13AM 
(click pic to enlarge) US Navy Blue Angels in tight formation at Reno in 2009
I'm certainly no expert on the issue of sequestration, and since I've actually worked the last 15 days straight (with my day-job of ceramic tile installing) I also haven't had the time to do any deep research on the subject. However, it's my understanding that the $85 billion in cuts are actually only a reduction in the planned rate of GROWTH in the budget. So we're saying that we not only have ALL the money from the last budget but also a few percentage points MORE, but the news media and campaigner-in-chief have been telling us that all hell is about to break loose. I'm not buying it. I'm not buying any of it.
And with reports that the Blue Angels and the Thunderbirds have been cancelling their attendance at many 2013 air shows, strong opinions and passionate responses have been popping up all over. Especially since many of these air shows, like the Indy Air Show scheduled for June 15-16, have been cancelled as well since these elite military demonstration teams are by far the biggest draw for these events.
(click pic to enlarge) Two USAF Thunderbirds back-to-back at Reno in 2011
My opinion might be different than most. I'm 100% for budget cuts... not reductions in rate-of-growth, but real CUTS. And if we had real cuts and they truly meant that the Blues and Thunderbirds had to stop flying, then I'm actually ok with that. This nation MUST get its financial condition in order as soon as possible, tho technically I've given up all hope that we will ever do that. A financially responsible government is the only way we can have hope that these two elite aerobatic teams to will continue flying in the future. Far more important, we need to be fiscally strong to have any hope of having a positive impact on the global landscape in the next 20 years.
But to pull the plug on these aerobatic demonstration teams when we have such a small actual budget adjustment makes me think that the government is using the impact that this will have on the American people as a dirty little trick. Even worse, this means many large communities won't have the benefit of the positive economic impact that is a direct result of a Blue Angels or Thunderbirds air show. Add to that the fact that these two teams are a very important part of both recruiting and bolstering a sense of pride in the American people, and I come to the conclusion that it's all being used as a weapon against we the people. But then that seems to fit all the more with the idea that the ultimate goal of this administration is to weaken every aspect of the United States of America.
The more common opinion I'm seeing is one that says we must find a way to stop these cuts and make sure that all the services we need and want so desperately (from the Blue Angels to air traffic controllers to border patrol agents) are able to be funded. So, rather than identify and cut massive waste in poor government administration, or eliminate entire departments that simply are not part of a sensible government mission, they've convinced us that essential services are at risk. Hmm, so it appears that the government has figured out a way for the American people to DEMAND that we spend beyond our means. Well isn't that just precious.
I don't have any big answers here, but I am fully prepared to say that I just don't buy any of this. And while there are some of you out there who are gonna want to beat me up for my opinion that the United States government is actually against America and the American people, I'm telling you now that I don't have the time or energy to have an online battle about it. This is what I believe from years of observing the actions of our so-called leaders, whether they have a D by their name or an R. My bottom line is simple: get our financial affairs in this country in order NOW, and do everything we can to keep the Blue Angels and the Thunderbirds in the sky showing the American people, and the rest of the world, what freedom looks and sounds like.
Reader Comments (12)
It's a dog & pony show, They violate the constatution by not setting up an annual budgit, Taxing with obamacare,Gun control laws, Illegal Laws & Orders under color of authority, It takes time to draft the overthrow of America, Something stinks in Washington DC & No mouth wash will fix it.
Long live the Republic.
My understanding is that unlike the various civilian departments, the military doesn't have the ability to specify which programs get effected by the sequestration.
As such, unlike other departments that are trimming a bit of fat (or in many cases, grandstanding and cutting the most visible, vital things instead) the DoD is stuck making actual, across the board cuts.
I agree with most of what you say Martt, but due to my stint in public service I have to disagree with your opinion that they are actively trying to run this country down. Don't get me wrong, the result is the same but most are actually well-meaning. The problem is that nobody in Congress has the balls to say "no." At the end of the day, you need more people creating wealth than using wealth. So many have gotten used to all the little things that the feds supply that they no longer know how to live without federal support. The federal gov't has GROWN to the point where it is no longer sustainable, both under dem and rep admins. Idiot's like Paul Krugman opine that debt is no big deal and we shouldn't be opposed to running a deficiet. The problem here is allowing debt is the same thing as saying that we want things but want our children to pay for them. Our chickens are coming home to roost.
Terence, read cloward & piven, alinsky, sunstein, then read barry's two books. It becomes very clear.
Martt, Bold statements require bold proof. You said (rather boldly) "the United States government is actually against America and the American people". Please supply your supporting evidence. I am one of those "takers" that works for Uncle Sam. I work as a weapons tester to insure that our troops (also fed employees) come home to their families and the bad guys get turned into pink fog and bone fragments. You're damn right I'm a taker - a risk taker! I give safety briefings to our customers reminding them that they are standing 10 feet away from 5,000 lbs of TNT (or NEW) and that they should watch where they walk because of the UXOs (un-exploded ordnance) scattered around everywhere. I don't make the swords for Uncle Sam, and I don't swing them in combat, but what I do will insure that the swords are sharp and don't break. I think that is just the opposite of working "against America and the American people." PS, I haven't had a raise in 2 years and will now get a 20% pay cut and nobody has ever stopped me at an airport to say “thanks for your service.” BTW, you are welcome.
JD- I said it was 'my opinion' that the United States government is actually against America and the American people... and I also said: This is what I believe from years of observing the actions of our so-called leaders, whether they have a D by their name or an R. You honestly don't have to look hard at all to come to this conclusion.
I never said that the people who work for the government are against the country... obviously the truth is very much the opposite. I was clearly speaking of the LEADERS of the government.
I'm with you, Martt.
I agree with you Martt
I seem to remember this being a fun aviation site before it became your platform for social, political, religious rants. Some of us come here to get away from all of that. Perhaps not anymore.
Dave W. - Hmm, I've been using AirPigz as my platform for social, political, religious rants since the beginning over 4 years ago... and the very first post I ever put up is massive evidence of that! Maybe you haven't been paying as much attention as you think.
And, while I'd share my heartfelt opinions here regardless of the impact, the traffic at AirPigz is substantially higher than it was even just a year ago, so I don't think you're in the majority concerning my work here.
Lastly, I think it's quite fascinating that you have used my platform here to express your opinions relating to social, political, religious issues, but you somehow feel that I shouldn't do the same even tho I'm the one-man-show who has worked obsessively for over 4 years (with a minuscule financial return) to entertain and educate about aviation and aviation-related issues.
Such a crazy crazy world, don't you think?
Yeah, a lot of people slow down to look at car wrecks too...you give aviation a bad name sir and I bid you farewell.
Bye Dave W, Don't let the electrons hit you in the butt on the way out..
Remember the first Blues, the F 11 Tiger, F 4 Phatom,A4 Shy Hog (Hawk) then the F 16. We need the OLD America back,