This article
http://capitalgainsandgames.com/blog...ing-do-deficit gives a very interesting analysis of the reason for the sequester.
short version: Each Republican Rep is more concerned about being beaten in the primary than in the general election, and so is securing their own position at the expense of their party's overall electability. In this case, that means rigid opposition to tax increases.
I find this amusing.
It is another one of those situations (like the prisoners' dilemma, stag hunt problem etc) in which each individual rationally pursuing their own self interest clearly does
not lead to the best outcomes for all (as in the party), or even for any of them (since each is more likely to win the primary but lose the general, and their party will continue to lose elections).
And so the greatest advocates of the neo-con fallacy are, as a group, being eaten up by it.
In times like these, you have to take your amusement where you find it.