Check your supplies

I strive to be non-political in my posts, but today is an exception. Recent news posts about how the national administration is positioning the impending reduction in the rate of government spending are bothersome.  Rather than absorbing the cuts through rational means, these cuts are being strategically positioned for maximum impact on the middle class and poor. I believe these choices to be politically motivated to bring pressure on conservative elements in Congress to abandon their cries to reduce federal spending, and to increase taxes on the middle class. The rhetoric has shifted from punishing the 'rich' or 'wealthy' to impacts on 'the well-off and the well-connected.'  The placement of the second 'the' changes the grammatical context so that it really means well-off OR well-connected.  So, if you make more than the poverty line, you may also be 'well-off.'  If you are part of the 50% of the adult population that pays taxes, YOU are the 'well-off.'

I urge you to concentrate on your food preparations. If it means adding a bit more more rice, beans or Chef Boyardee in your next few week's shopping lists, please do so. Remember that transportation of food is usually INTERSTATE and can be regulated (i.e. delivery to your area can be slowed) by federal executive agencies such as the Department of Agriculture or Department of Transportation. Additionally, the Interstate Commerce Commission has powers to regulate interstate commerce including haul rates, is appointed by the Executive, is independent of the executive departments (i.e. does not report to a Cabinet Secretary), and its directives have the force of court order.

I apologize for going off my usual message to this dark place.  When the hair on the back of my neck stands up during TV interviews with various Secretaries of executive agencies, it's hard to keep it to myself.  Don't go overboard, just consider have a cushion of a few days or a couple weeks basic nutrition for your family, if you don't already.  There is some, albeit low, potential for shipments to be 'slowed' if the sequester proceeds.

Remember, my past jobs were as planners. We always had to examine the 'worst-case scenarios.'  My mind just includes these, whether I want them or not. This is one of them.