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Special Assistant to the President and Principal Deputy Press Secretary Josh Earnest explains to Alan what programs and people will be hurt by the seq...
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I don't -- welcome back to -- microphones Josh Earnest special assistant to president principal deputy Press Secretary.
Is politics being played here with a sequester you know the Republicans are saying.
That fear is being put down the spine of people by the White House release of state by state cuts.
-- -- -- -- -- -- And -- people are people are have a right to be genuinely concerned.
About the impact of the across the board spending cut that congressional Republicans are forcing on the American people.
It's -- congressional Republicans have it very simple -- They can either put in place -- draconian across the board spending cut.
Below the terrible impact on kids seeking vaccine.
That will force civilian employees from the department defense to take a furlough.
That will.
I'll eliminate funding for some work study program for hard working college student -- across the country.
They can either put those cuts in place before they could actually close -- taxable they'd only been a big corporate jet owners are oil and gas companies.
Or millionaires and -- Even though Lindsey Graham I think you said you know we had a look at tax loopholes although not the rest of the rank and file -- saying that.
They're they're not.
But listen it's that -- and they get it cupcakes -- -- make I know that there are a lot of these conservative Republicans that are concerned about.
The Republican primary politics in their congressional district.
But I don't care and here's the thing that the other I think -- like that in the from last week.
If you poll showed it to me 6% of Americans agree with the present balanced approach to deficit reduction that need it percent of Americans.
The percentage of Republicans who greeted the president's approach 51%.
To get a majority of Republicans all across the country who support the president's agenda now he's got to get some Republicans in congress that.
Some of the people like Boehner saying well the president Rory got his revenue increased.
With the tax on people making over 400000 dollars a year and that that part of the agreements already done.
Well I mean -- the president actually signed into law more than one point five trillion in spending cuts.
Over the course last year and yet over that same period of time to present -- the law.
600 billion in tax increases targeted only to people who make more than 4000 dollars here so if we're going by that ledger we actually have.
Well we just did -- -- the president signed almost three times as many spending cuts.
And he has tax increase.
So if we are pursuing a balanced approach to -- and that the public support.
In which economists -- in the best interest of middle class in this in this country.
Then it is clear that there are some more revenue raisers that to be on the table and look we can't do this.
Only by talking to a talking about loopholes -- -- the benefit corporate jet owners oil and gas companies.
And -- there's going.
I try to put out to my Republican friends of the rate of increase -- spending under this president is less than his predecessors.
-- -- -- that the percentage of you know witnesses a regulate that cited statistics.
But that the level of government spending in this country.
As a percent of our GDP it actually the lowest it's been since president Eisenhower was in the oval.
So we have made significant cuts to government spending.
But you know what we really need what -- we can't cut our way out of our deficit problem.
We have to pursue a balanced approach could have we just try to cut -- -- that's the problem it's gonna have a terrible impact on -- I think it was a good have a bad impact on our company.
How could this be solved right now.
What the -- it could be this could easily be solved the -- but for a very specific plan.
That actually enjoyed more definite different that would yield more deficit reduction in the sequester would.
The presents -- it make some additional cuts to government spending.
Get since beating Federer type out of our entitlement program.
And clothes and limit deductions.
For.
Well it -- And as approach that we -- more deficit reduction in the -- already cut.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- But it is the president all the Rose Garden ceremony.
Back in September of 2011.
To lay out in detail what we should do to pursue a doubt about that -- reduction.
So if this would include all whole range of things.
It's significant is that they would not -- and indiscriminate across the board like -- -- -- would actually be targeted specific cuts.
That we could make coupled with your entitlement savings and and revenue from -- from the wealthiest Americans and the well connected corporations.
And we've got it we made a theory is counting on dealing with Erica.
What happens march 1 and is that a drop dead date or is there time after march 1.
To make some kind of agreement.
There is -- after march 1 march 1 is definitely win the ball -- rolling down the -- But you -- as days and weeks go by after march 1.
That that ball is -- gather some momentum.
And gathers -- And -- -- that is not good for the economy that's not good for middle class it was who rely on head start programs and child care program vaccination programs.
And work study program it's certainly not good for civilian employee for the Defense Department we're gonna see more and more furlough days.
The further this ball rolled down the -- Who is a political battle I mean there every side is pointing fingers at the other side that.
Is -- a political benefit for the president if march 1 hits and there's no deal.
Honestly I think it's hard to know who -- who -- the political.
Did you know that with anybody can benefit.
If if Democrats and Republicans sat down tonight.
Hammered out an agreement and -- totally doable we spent two years debating.
We know how to work got to be -- we don't have what what it would take to find common ground around the solution it would be the thinker that are that talented.
If Democrats Republicans came together remic kind of solution there would be ample political credit or else.
It would be great for the stock market it would be great for big business in this country it be great for small bit in this country would be good for middle class family.
What we just need to do if people really that concerned about political play with -- -- that around the table.
Come to an agreement and bask in the glow of all the best.
Congress hasn't even session right now there and -- they're they're getting back and I there is confident to get this done now if it is getting it done by march 1 I really don't know.
But there is there's plenty of time for Republicans to sit down with the president.
Talk to the president about that.
About the approach the president put on the table it has the support of the majority of Republicans in this country.
It worked out an agreement this is totally doable if you if that part we need to avoid look.
But it for the for the health of our broader economy we can't afford another opens but it will watching it.
Which I to judge -- deputy assistant to the press specialists is the president and principal deputy Press Secretary is they're still.
That is the the attitude that on the part of Republicans you feel that they will not work where the president if he's for it.
There against an even Newt Gingrich a couple of Sundays ago said anything the president of proposes it seems like the other side is automatically.
Knee jerk against.
It sure seems that way.
If you -- that and it looked it was relief agreement is quoted in the New York Times today saying that he can't he can't believe that the party of Ronald Reagan would be supporting the cut.
That house Republicans by and large are supporting.
-- it it it's hard to figure out what the explanation.
For that but.
You know we've we've got to at some point.
At some point we have to put our partisan and ideological agendas aside.
The president has done that the president on the table additional spending cuts and come -- reforms to entitlement -- not all not all Democrats they'll love that idea.
But what is undeniable.
Is it that is a reasonable compromise that would reduce our deficit it would do it in a way that wouldn't.
You put -- choke hold around our.
It may be only when they think that's really hit home for example the cuts in Ohio where John mayors from.
Would hit -- only when it hits home with AB then realizing that they've got to come make a deal if not for their own political survival.
Well I mean your your exit absolutely right and is it is it's certain that it -- kind of cuts were talking about here.
It's getting pretty hard for Republicans to -- and you you mention Ohio.
But between 500 kids know I could -- -- head -- -- as the head start program.
I -- to sequestered look back.
15100 college students in Ohio could lose their work study job.
If that's the question where to go into effect about 246000 civilian Department of Defense employees in Ohio would be furloughed if that's the question -- to go.
-- there are tangible consequences.
For the past that house Republicans are taken it.
And I do think it is as.
At each day goes by it's going to be harder and harder for them to maintain -- we can't solve these problems because protecting tax benefits for millionaires and billionaires is too important.
We'll have -- and I'll get in her room and working out hope they will -- if not before shortly after march 1.
Just I was appreciate your time and it was thank you very much I think you know -- it was appreciated thank you very much -- thank you for the special assistant the president deputy print Press Secretary.
