Now that a program-slashing continuing resolution is nearly a sure thing, agency administrators (and not advocates or politicians, mind you) are speaking out. From CongressDaily PM ($): The Social Security Administration has told congressional staff it might have to furlough every employee. HUD funding would not keep pace with demand for low-income housing vouchers, meaning "literally thousands of people would be out in the street," one source said. School breakfast and lunch programs would face a $1 billion shortfall, cutting off 1.2 million participants. The Veterans Health Administration would have to absorb the $3 billion increase to meet this year's requirements. That's rather bleak. So how to appropriately respond to what could turn into extensive hardship and deprivation? A [Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK)] spokesman called such concerns "absurd." Given government spending has increased 50 percent since 2001 "any agency that can't figure out how to function under a one-year CR is incompetent, he said. He noted the VA has $1.7 billion in unspent funds left over from last year. "If appropriators took this seriously they wouldn't be wasting time earmarking and putting stoplights in their districts. The hypocrisy is astounding." Right. Let's take a look at the numbers, Mr. Coburn's spokesman. This CR applies to domestic discretionary spending (which excludes defense and homeland security appropriations). And guess how much it's gone up since 2001? IT HASN'T. IT STAYED FLAT. A huge number of programs have been cut, many of them deeply. So, no, there is no more fat to cut off this goose. In fact, you should be pleased; aren't these cuts exactly what you and your friends want for America? CQ ($): “A CR will keep spending lower,”[Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC)] said. “It’s the best thing.” The best thing- and just in time for the holidays! It's like Santa came early...and took away school breakfast, housing support and just about everything else.