I’ve tried to find a good, all-encompassing phrase that identifies the GOP’s latest crisis, sequestration. But I can’t seem to find the right adjectives or a catchy, memorable phrase that’s says it best. So much is at stake and the GOP’s actions are wrong in so many ways, it’s hard to choose.
Instead, I came up with a potential scenario that could evolve if Republicans allow sequestration to happen. It’s one that hits the pocket-book of some of the GOP’s most earnest supporters, their deep pocket donors. I decided to make them — the wealthy corporate donors — the protagonist in this scenario because much of the focus about the perilous condition sequestration will leave our economy in centers on those who can ill afford it. We’re all in this together and hopefully, those who have will understand that their wealth is tied to the prosperity of everyone.
So, Republicans, chew on this scenario.
Meet Mr. C. He’s worth billions and is CEO of a lucrative corporation that attributes much of its recent wealth to Mr. C’s tutelage. For months, Mr. C and a cracker-jack team, some of whom he hand-picked, has worked on a new product — something they are sure no one else in the industry is even dreaming about. Mr. C has also identified a potential buyer with a global reach.
The time has come for a meeting with the potential buyer. This deal is so good, Mr. C is personally accompanying the prototype to the meeting. In the past (before sequester), Mr. C would simply board his company’s private jet and be off. After the sequester hit, the economy plummeted for many and the private airline and airstrip his company subcontracted went bankrupt, forcing them to use a commercial airline operating out of a much congested commercial airstrip.
Things aren’t going so well at commercial airports since the sequester either. There’s a dramatic shortage of FAA workers and on-time travel has been reduced to a bad, and risky, joke. Besides the long line of planes waiting to take off, pilots traveling overseas often are forced to check weather patterns by connecting with foreign weather sources. That’s because sequestration forced many US weather stations to “merge.” Deep cuts also phased out running expensive weather satellites that allowed weather forecasters to track inclement weather before it arrives, making forecasting the weather a guessing game.
So Mr. C. sits warily in first class, not sure whether to gulp down another martini or stay alert, ready to deal with some unforeseen problem. His mind drifts from the growing delay awaiting take-off. Mr. C’s quite able assistant is keeping in close contact with him and their prospective client. His assistant is well versed in diplomacy, speaks several languages and is able to ease the potential clients worries quite nicely. There’s also a bit of cautiously friendly chatter that is laced with much mea culpa while indirectly blaming the President’s and his Party’s sequester that caused all this.
The deep furrow in Mr. C’s brow crinkled some what. His eyes narrow as he sips that second martini, which seems to have little impact on easing other worries. Namely, will his prototype arrive safely with him or will it land up in some remote airport far away, or worse yet, be crushed beyond recognition by that imaginary guerilla that used to appear in those luggage television ads years ago. The prototype is packed in a specialized carrying case that was too big to bring on board so it went it the baggage compartment like any other piece of luggage. No amount of posturing, border-line bribing or name dropping by Mr. C or his assistant could persuade the sole airport baggage security person-in-charge to do otherwise.
An hour passes and Mr. C is about to order his third martini when the pilot announces they’re taking off. Once in the air, Mr. C settles in for the long flight overseas. A few minutes before take-off, his assistant sent him a text saying that the client postponed the meeting until tomorrow and they were sorry he was having such a difficult time getting there. Mr. C settles back in his seat, he orders that third martini anyway musing to himself how ridiculous he was to worry. A great team, an even greater assistant and an idea that’s blossomed into being that no one else has. Life is good.
Meanwhile, back at the office several hours later, an emergency meeting was called by the company’s top brass and Mr. C’s team leaders. A couple of hours after Mr. C’s flight was airborne, his assistant got a call from the potential client who said the meeting is off. No, it’s not because of the airport delays or anything like that. It’s because they received a call from another foreign company with a wonderful plan and a marvelous prototype that is sure to revolutionize the industry. Give their regards to Mr. C. When he arrives, they will send a car to take him to dinner and a show before he returns to the states. Perhaps they will get together on another project in the future.
Mr. C. and the company invested a great deal in making sure no one knew about their project. Members on Mr. C’s team were regarded highly for their knowledge, talent and loyalty. Despite all that, The sequester caused thousands of layoffs at the Department of Justice where, among other vital national security measures, the DOJ monitored cyber crimes; and often in time to do something about it. Sequester changed all that.
So … no one caught it in time that Mr. C’s company’s computer system was hacked by a foreign entity. Their hacking was quite advanced. The hackers even tracked the delay at the airport — and some now speculate that they may even have caused it. The delay gave them just enough time to get to the meeting before Mr. C and present his idea as theirs, including the one-of-a-kind prototype.
These foreign hackers were so good, they hijacked Mr. C’s company’s website, altered the company’s financial statements making it look like it and he was involved in fraud, possible SEC violations, money-laundering and a host of other wrong-doings. To top it off, the false information was leaked to the press.
By the time Mr. C arrived at his destination, the company had cut off his cell phone and froze the company credit cards. The moment he walked off the plane and into the airport terminal, a cadre of hungry news media persons swarmed around him, shouting questions at him in rapid-fire succession. They flashed their cameras and pushed their microphones into his face, demanding to know whether the accusations of fraud and corruption made by a former employee who was fearful of releasing their identity was true.
Mr. C was also greeted by the foreign police, inquiring about his company’s potential involvement in drugs and money laundering. The foreign police also confiscated his luggage, including the prototype, to search for possible evidence of same. Perhaps the only good thing to happen was that his prototype arrived with him safe and sound.
Anyone thinking about letting the sequester take place should be careful what they wish for. This isn’t a joke and the negative impact from the sequester will hit all of us.
Related articles
- The sequester slideshow that may haunt the Speaker (maddowblog.msnbc.com)
- Americans aren’t buying what GOP is selling (maddowblog.msnbc.com)
- PowerPoint Presentation Shows Boehner Selling The Sequester To His Members In 2011 (tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com)
Sadly, this is not outside the realm of possibilities. The RepubliCANTS continuously claim there is a lack of Democratic leadership, and that there is no democratic proposal. Yet the Repub plan that they are touting as fresh and new is actually the one they proposed, Twice, last year, that failed to garner even a smidgen of interest outside the Tea Bagger community. What they hope to win by this stonewalling is well beyond my pay grade to be able to figure out.
Good post