Here's what I don't understand. What's the purpose of a "debt ceiling" anyway? You'd think it would mean what it says: the most allowable debt PERIOD. Once the debt ceiling was hit, THAT'S IT.
The "debt ceiling" has been raised something like 50-70 times since 1960. So in other words, once the spending addicts in D.C. realize that the party's just about over, they just change the rules (i.e. raise the "debt ceiling") so they can continue to feed their addiction (i.e. keep spending). Why should they care, it's not their money.