Jim, the big "what if" would be... IF Al Gore had not been denied the Presidency in 2000 (historical data shows if they'd counted FL- he'd won even with Kathylen Harris' shenanigans )- we'd NOT had (1) massive tax cuts- he'd likely continued Clinton's policies, (2) 2 wars especially Iraq, (3) spending like drunk sailors, and (4) possibly even 9-11. -Clarke was onto OBL- I don't think AGore would have ignored the data like Condi Rice and Bush did. IT might not have been enough to avert 9-11 but there's at least a possibility it might not have happened.
(I still believe Bush let it happen in a passive way looking for excuses to pick a war with Iraq. Did he specifically know AQs plan? - NO, but he knew something was brewing and thought he could use an attack to his advantage. Turned out to be worse than he'd dreamed!)
So the bottom line is we would (with good certainty) NOT be $16 trillion in debt IF the voters would have had their say in 2000. SO now to hear the GOP thugs whine about deficits is just beyond juvenile and hypocrits !! And then to have them obstruct any repair of the damage is treasonous in my eyes.
Paul Ryan was for a sequester and other republicans also. They are using Obama for a scapegoat now.These Republicans are so desperate now they will resort to anything to win some popularity.
They all are as you say... but I don't think its working or will work in the end.
1. They (media) have this incriminating evidence from 2011 called video tape !!
2. Boehner was the one who called a recess for the House - not Obama... and only a few weeks into the new session !! I think he'll get skewered for that... not even in session when the sequester is pending. How can you talk and negotiate when you're out of town !!??
In the final shakedown, the GOP will look like they are... obstructionists !! (& whiny babies) I hope voters don't forget their "childish games" in 2014.
I even heard a conservative commentator admit they've cut $2.4 trillion in spending over the past 2 years, but need more cuts... they weren't even admitting that a few weeks ago !! They realize they are LOSING ground...
Obama is far from perfect. A lot of his promises are really falling apart.
I'll grant you that, but seriously... don't you think if he had the tiniest bit of cooperation that his accomplishments would be so much more? He is trying to make some major changes, much needed changes. It's not a small course correction but rather significantly larger one. Hard to do when there's dissension amongst the crew and squabbling in the engine room.