In 2010, the government imposed a two-year freeze on cost of living adjustments for federal employees. Since that time, a number of bills (HR 7, HR 273, HR 3813, etc.) have been introduced that would cut the pay and benefits of government workers.
While there are cuts to be made, summarily reducing the pay of federal workers by as much as 20% is not among the most pragmatic solutions and only serves to further alienate government employees.
Furloughs that come as a result of sequestration are bad for workers, bad for the economy, and send the wrong message to the American people who are growing increasingly more frustrated with a government bogged down by gridlock and plagued with petty skirmishes.