Floridians calling on political leaders to reach sequestration compromise

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - President Obama signed an order on Friday evening to begin $85 billion in automatic federal spending cuts because political leaders have not been able to agree on a long term deficit reduction deal.

"We will get through this," said Mr. Obama. "This is not going to be a apocalypse as some people have said, it's just dumb and it's going to hurt," he said.

Many Floridians are watching the sequestration debate in Washington, D.C., and are losing faith in their leaders. The 'blame game' in the nation's capitol does not seem to be helping the country sidestep the automatic spending cuts. The stalemate is hitting a sour note here at home.

The impacts include longer airport lines, cuts to education and pink slips for some government workers.

Ronald Hirschel knows that the impact will not be felt immediately. He believes, however, that it will take its toll soon. "The losers are going to be the people from the middle class on down to the lower class," said Hirschel. "I really think we're going to be the losers." 

Hirschel and others say a lack of compromise has become all too common in today's politics. "It's not about what is right and what is wrong," said Charlie McCrink. "The battle is all about power."

"I don't think that many people would expect that you would send your representatives to congress to just stand their ground and never give an inch," said Christi Yanulavich, who was visiting West Palm Beach.

The reductions will soon result in furlough notices to government employees and will trim government spending on defense contracts and in domestic government programs.