Republicans got some level of future spending cuts.

Obama got an agreement that there would be no fight over (again) increasing the debt limit before the 2012 election.

In order to accomplish this, the result was ultimately the "Sequester".  Of course, it was far from perfect, even sufficiently odiferous as to be (at the time) considered unlikely to be implemented.  But both sides agreed to it and Obama signed it. 

There will necessarily be some inefficiencies associated with this bastard child of political expediency.  There will be some individuals who feel the pain more than others.  It should not, however, be the "sky is falling" big-picture scenario some are painting it to be.  Further, there is REAL work to be done wrt entitlements, defense, sweeping tax reform, etc.

Was Obama disingenuous (or did he "lie") wrt to being part of creating this mess?  Absolutely.  It is also probable that the White House has misjudged where the Republicans find themselves, politically, in this argument ...... meaning they are not likely to concede more revenues (after the most-recent tax increases) without some agreement to address a much broader tax reform proposal.

And to be sure, whatever such negotiations and legislation may produce is far from certain.  Hopefuly, though, it will actually BEGIN to make a meaningful impact on our debt & deficit problems.  All the while each side will continue to accuse the other (often legitimately) as many Americans are so focused on demonizing or defending <insert name or party here> that they simply lend confusion to the masses who do not follow the issues nearly as closely as most on this board.

....which include:

• Much higher taxes being taken out of my paycheck this year - about $4000 more.
• Government is spending more this year than last....even with the cuts involved with the sequester.
• Cost of everything is up compared to 1 year ago
• There are no significant spending cuts on the horizon (at least that I am aware of)
• There are significant increases to our current deficit on the horizon (from what I read)

All of this combined makes me point my finger to both sides of the aisle, and especially the one that is supposed to be leading. And it ain't my index finger.