The Democrats proposed sequestration as part of a package to secure an increase in the debt ceiling, but they never expected it to go into effect. When it did, they felt double-crossed, apparently because they thought Republicans owed it to them to fold like a cheap suit, as usual. When the Republicans figured out that sticking with the sequester was a pretty good outcome–it represented a modest, but real, restraint on federal spending, which is what Republicans always say they want–the Democrats went to Plan B.

It’s a strategy they have often used before: cut back on services that voters care about, and blame the resulting pain on those who “cut” the budget, i.e., prevented it from increasing as fast as the Democrats would like.
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The Democrats thought that if they used the sequestration reductions as an excuse to cut back on services the voters want, the voters would blame Republicans, and the Democrats would be strongly positioned for the next round of budget negotiations. They thought, in particular, that laying off air traffic controllers in order to cause flight delays would be a powerful weapon against the GOP. But it hasn’t worked out that way. Too many Americans have seen through the Democrats’ game.
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The House on Friday passed legislation that would let the government redirect millions of dollars to air traffic controllers’ salaries and expenses in a bid to end sequester-related furloughs that have caused flight delays around the country.

http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/20...questration.php

Now stop sulking & open the White House!