[Hoot Gibson]

Automatic spending cuts will happen on 1/1/13, Obama doesn't need to propose any. Automatic tax raises will go into effect on everybody on 1/1/13. Keep the spending cuts, and cut the taxes on 98% of America.

Obama's own Sec. of Defense says that the automatic cuts will devastate the nation's defense capabilities. Even if Republicans agreed to what you propose (and you are not the first to propose it), Democrats would come back quickly and demand that all sorts of spending be restored. Why? Because tens of thousands of federal jobs would be cut in the DC area. Republicans would agree to restoring defense spending and Democrats would immediately begin blaming them for not agreeing to restore other spending.

Democrats do not want spending cuts and neither do the RINOs like Boehner and Graham. If a majority in Congress do not want them, then they will not happen. Republicans proposed increasing taxes by capping deductions and closing loopholes without raising marginal rates, and Obama rejected the offer.

I would seriously prefer seeing Republicans sticking to their guns and allowing both the tax hikes and the spending cuts take effect, but the Republican leadership lacks the guts to do so. That means that they will continue to negotiate against themselves and they will still get the blame when the economy crashes. In the long run, it would be far better politically if Republicans did the right thing rather what appears to be in their short-term political interests.