The debt ceiling "trigger", $1.2 trillion in automatic cuts, 50/50 defense and domestic, is suppose to be sufficient incentive for a super-duper bi-partisan panel to negotiate a "balanced" debt reduction deal by the end of this year.
The theory is that defense cuts will be as objectionable to Republicans as Medicare cuts are to Democrats, therefore, the two parties will be forced to negotiate an agreement.
This is a bad theory.
If Republicans can get $1.2 trillion closer to shrinking government to drownable size, they will, in a heartbeat, throw the military under the bus.
We will have a stalemate, automatic cuts, and the Republicans will win another round.
Or, we will negotiate away the expiration of the Bush tax cuts in order to protect Medicare. Either way, Republicans win. Again. And, by the way, not a single job will be created in the process.