Obama: The Painless Deficit Cutter?

In the wake of the mandated Sequester cuts, the Obama administration has worked overtime to paint a dismal picture of pain and life with Government "cuts" amounting to $1 trillion over 10 years. Putting aside the fact that the Sequester does not actually reduce Government spending but merely reduces the amount that it will increase over the next ten years, it has still met ferocious resistance. The Obama administration has unleashed a tidal wave of PR meant to paint a picture of armageddon if the Sequester "cuts" are enacted. Among the dire consequences outlined by the administration are:

- Longer security lines at airports
- Air travel disruption
- Greater risk of wildfires
- Pest infested crops
- National meat and poultry shortages
- Prison lockdowns
- Fewer FBI agents
- Neglect for mentally ill, homeless and substance addicted
- 125,000 would be at risk of homelessness
- 600,000 women  and children thrown off WIC
- 424,000 fewer aids tests, 7400 fewer patients could get HIV medications
- 807,000 Fewer Hospital Visits for Native Americans, Hospital Closures
 And at least 45 more "dire" consequences claimed by the administration as compiled by ABC News.

All this pain because of a small reduction in (the increase in) spending of $1 Trillion over the next 10 years. 

However, on February 19th, 2013 Obama said "Over the last few years both parties have worked together to reduce our deficits by more than $2.5 trillion. More than two thirds of that was through some pretty tough spending cuts,” 

Really?

Two thirds of $2.5 trillion is $1.67 Trillion or 67% more than the Sequester amount of $1 Trillion. 

One would think that should have translated into 67% more pain and misery for the country yet I can't seem to remember the administration communicating this to the public. Nor do I remember seeing the painful consequences of these Government "cuts" reflected in the same 57 Plagues of America that are being touted for the Sequester. 

Either Obama is the modern day equivalent of the "Painless Dentist" and he can "cut" Government spending without incurring any painful consequences or his administration is manufacturing public pain related to the Sequester for political gain. 

I still dislike going to the dentist so I tend to think it is the latter.