Yes on all counts, you are correct. Sequestration was an idea that was hatched directly out of the White House. Obama and his OMB Director Jack Lew.
Why did the Republicans vote "Yea" and agree? Because they were deathly afraid of a government shutdown and not getting their Social Security checks and other checks. They thought that would sink them in the 2012 elections, so they agreed to this poison pill. What they really want (and what I want) is Entitlement reform. Putting hope in the "Super Committee" in Rainbow Land to accomplish that was pure fantasy. The Democrats literally walked out and bragged about it to the media.
Dems Storm Out, Sabotage Super Committee
If Paul Ryan and the Republicans could have done anything before agreeing to this "Super Committee" it would have been to not burden Defense with 50% of the cuts. But the GOP (and Paul Ryan) was AWOL on that.
So what do we have today? A horrific situation for the Republicans that they themselves are bragging about.
was correct. A strong national military drives a strong economy, and not just because of Defense employment. A strong military in the world is the backbone of our world economic and political standing. Reagan said this time and time again.
Why defense spending plunged 22% last quarter — and killed GDP
The economy just dropped back in negative growth for the first time since 2009 largely on a 22.1% drop in Defense. This is before Sequestration. Sequestration will gut the military (that word "gut" has been used by every member of the Joint Chiefs - unprecedented rhetoric because it is true this time).
Paul Ryan goes on Meet the Press last weeks and smirks about letting Sequestration "happen."
Leon Panetta goes on the Sunday talk shows yesterday (appearing right along side Gen Dempsey) and says this:
The GOP is the "stupid party." They are going to cede economic growth and a strong Defense to the Democrats. In fact, because of this issue, they already have.
Incredible. Just incredible.