Matthew Cooper writing at the National Journal: Everyone agrees that sequestration is asinine, but Washington is increasingly resigned to it. Other deadlines have been met by fevered last-minute negotiations and, mercifully, avoidance of calamity. This time there's less urgency and more sighs. There is an upside to it, though: an abject lesson on what government does. At a time when Americans are convinced that foreign aid is a significant part or the budget--the median answer in one survey in 2010 was 25 percent of the budget--it'll be a good object lesson for people to see that government means planes landing safely, meat being inspected, Yellowstone being kept open. Yes, most of what the government does is write checks and defend us, "an insurance company with an Army," so the saying goes. But it does a lot more.  Sure, the agencies and departments could juggle accounts for a while to prevent the most egregious cuts to discretionary spending. I outline that here....(Read Full Post)