Sequester cuts affect most in need

Regarding Sen. Chuck Grassley's March 9 column “Washington's fiscal mismanagement”:

It is ironic considering he's been there for more than 30 years. He's seen the federal budget go from a surplus under the Clinton Administration to the start of the budget deficit trend established during the Bush Administration.

The current 2.4 percent across the board spending cut will impact those most in need as well as air traffic controllers, border patrol agents and teachers. In comparing the federal budget to how families would prioritize where to reduce spending, we also look for ways to supplement this loss of income.

Working families in need are trying to deal with the increased payroll tax and potential reductions in services from federally funded programs.

We do need to reduce the budget deficit, but not at the expense of lower and middle class families in our community. The austerity plan Grassley is embracing has been tried in several European countries with dire consequences. The austerity actions in those countries focusing on cutting government spending and deficits have only lead to double digit unemployment and larger deficits.

It would behoove Grassley to look at the results in Europe and compare that to the U.S. economy where we have unemployment dropping and a growing economy.

We do need to end the uncertainty in Washington, that Grassley is a part of, but not by placing the burden of reducing the deficit on our children, grandchildren and families in need today.

Bret Nilles

Cedar Rapids