An email has been leaked from the U.S. Department of Agriculture that suggests mid-level administrators are being advised not to "contradict" what Obama administration officials are saying about the severity of the across-the-board budget cuts known as sequestration. The message, which was obtained by the media on March 6, immediately set off a firestorm in the media and among conservatives, who accuse the president of politicizing the country's debt problems.
The issue began with an email from the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, which is responsible for overseeing the health and wellness of animals used in the American food supply. A manager from that office asked for guidance on the sequestration's effect.
"However you manage that reduction, you need to make sure you are not contradicting what we said the impact would be," replied a federal official from the USDA budget office.
When the email was released, a number of politicians seized on the idea as proof that the Obama administration was intentionally directing its various agencies to make cuts that would emphasize the perceived unfairness of the spending reductions. USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, during a House Agriculture Committee hearing which happened to take place shortly after the release, stressed that the federal budget officer was referring to "flexibility" in terms of instituting the budget restrictions. He acknowledged, however, that a number of meat packing inspectors could be furloughed within the next few months.
Whether or not there is an validity to the assertions made against the Obama administration, the fact remains that sequestration will have an impact on the U.S. economy. As such, investors should keep a careful eye on their portfolios and consider wealth preservation measures to protect themselves financially. Those who wish to learn more should visit GreatWealthStrategies.com today and download a "Free Game Plan Report."