The following editorial appeared in the Philadelphia Daily News Feb. 28.

With just one day until their self-imposed sequestration deadline kicks in, Washington lawmakers have resolved to hold their breath until they turn blue in the face.

The sequestration agreement they locked themselves into a year ago is poised to start hacking an $85 billion hole in the federal budget. As their robo-knife threatens programs neither side wants to cut, the people we elected to handle our business in Washington declare themselves at an impasse.