Quote from Ricter:
I recall rep candidates last year rejecting a hypothetical $10 in spending cuts if it included $1 dollar in tax increases.
Given that the numbers I cite are actuals, not hypotheticals, I can't say that it was unreasonable to reject the offer if the analysis of the hypotheticals led the GOP to believe the actuals would be much different. Also, that 6 to 1 was the minimal optimum ratio of cuts to hikes. In the US case, the actual optimum could be 10 to 1 or 20 to 1 or a 1000 to 1.
If the Dems had an iota of credibility on any topic relating to spending, it would help.
Like I said earlier, the optimal solution is the breakup of the country, since there is way too much bad blood between the two camps and it's only getting worse. As there should be, since the ideas around which the dispute centers are important ideas.