The GOP engaged in their own full share of doom-and-glooming about this too, just with respect to the military.
So, I guess there's no problem with the sequester after all, everyone is happy now.
I've been trying to get data on the military cuts.
It does seem that the cuts are disproportionately heaped on the military. E.g., it appears that while defense is only 11% of spending it gets +40% of the cuts under sequestration. (Or, as some reports say 19% and 50%, respectively. The difference may be whether you're referring to just the military or defense in general. I.e., some 'defense' cuts may be in Homeland Security, or something along those lines.)
Also, it seems that the military has already absorbed two $400 billion cuts: in 2009 and under the BCA of 2011.
However, as the wars wind down we should reasonably expect some cuts.
The problem is that I can't find any data on whether the total cuts ($400B + $400B + $492B from sequestration) go far beyond just wars winding down.
Thus, it does seem entirely possible that due to previous cuts and allocating a disproportionately high share of sequestration cuts to the military the effects will be particularly substantial.
(Sequester cuts to to other departments/program appear to be rather minor. I'm calculating less than 1% to entitlement programs and just under 3% to non-defense discretionary spending.)
So, if this is accurate, projection of "doom and gloom" with respect to military cuts may be justified, at least to some extent.
Also, if this info is accurate I'm surprised at the outrage you and other Dem/Proggs/Libs types express at sequestration. Many of you (in the collective sense, not referring to just Charles here) have long demand cuts to the military. Some go so far as wanting it basically gutted etc. I would think you happy with how sequestration seems to be working out.
And it looks to me like Congressional Repubs made another dumb deal contrary to their interests/preferences. But I suppose if the 'politics' were to somehow blow up in Obama's face they could claim a victory of sorts.
Fern