Republicans need to be seen as very open to all kinds of budget cuts. Now, we should not give away the store and do something stupid -- but let's not fool ourselves: cuts are coming and everyone is going to feel the pain. Let the public know that we are participating.
Rather than tit for tat as you guys propose how about we require the appropriation bills to cite the Constitutional authority for funding a particular endeavor? There is no doubt that true Defense appropriations can meet muster but it starts to get interesting when you consider education, welfare/entitlements, etc.