It is not defeatist. It is realistic.
Do you remember the “government shut down” in the 1990s? The entire media went into blame Republicans mode. After a couple of days, the Republicans caved.
Now give me an example of when the Republicans have threatened to cut spending and not caved? Obama’s sequester does not count. The only “cut” was a very slight decrease in the planned increase in spending. When slightly decreasing the planned rate of increase of spending counts as a cut, we are doomed.
of course you are right. does anybody have an example of anyone cutting anything ever?
NASA could help you with that one.
But I agree that it's the kind of exception that proves the rule.