The Media's Obsession with Bipolarity

I don't have time to say much about this but one of my pet peeves is the media's obsession with creating bipolar narratives. This example from Matt Bai's piece in today's Times was too good to pass up.

As the White House and Congressional Republicans duel this week over their respective budget proposals, the conversation in the capital is all about the size and role of the federal government. Basically, President Obama would cut some and spend a lot; Republicans would cut a lot and spend much less.

(My emphasis)

On what planet are Republican's proposing to "cut a lot and spend much less." Did I miss some huge budget cutting proposal from the Republicans? Last I saw the house leadership was talking 40-60 billion while some of the tea baggers were pushing for 100 billion. While the cuts would do great damage, they are pretty insignificant as far as reducing the deficit goes. It certainly does not amount to "spending much less." Republicans don't do that. They spend like crazy while cutting taxes for the rich and programs for the poor. (The cost of the two year extension of tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans is $116 billion plus another $23 billion from the estate tax cut.) I guess that's a story the media is not interested in.