You are making it sound like I wanted to do nothing. OF COURSE retaining the present tax rates was necessary -- it goes without saying. Higher taxes are bad for EVERYONE. You and Obama need to realize that. You can't piss in just one end of a pool -- everyone experiences it. Most importantly unchecked federal spending is killing this country -- and that will continue. So wipe the smile off your face and realize that this nation took a royal screwing on this deal -- needlessly.
Federal spending is certainly going to kill us ala Greece. It has every country before who tried that. But that fight will be better fought during the debt ceiling limit increase. That is a much more appropriate venue for spending cuts because it directly affects debt ceiling.
On Jan 1st 2013, the bigger issue was jump in tax rates for every one under $450,000 income. So this will be first step. Let us hope GOP does not cave during the 2nd step coming up in 2 months.