The US government operates like that of some African banana republic, with the contempt of at least half of its people, like some Third World crap country.
Stop the lying. There is no risk of default. Pay the debt obligations first, as required by the Constitution, then adjust the rest of the budget.
Here is the deal that the Republicans should insist on:
1) Agree to raise the debt for 2013 by $500 billion in exchange for a budget matching this deficit.
2) For 2014 raise it an additional $250 billion.
3) For 2015 raise it an additional $100 billion.
4) For 2016 raise it an addition $50 billion.
5) For 2017 raise it an addition $25 billion.
6) For 2018 no more raises in the debt limit.
7) All raises contingent on the passage of an annual budget with a deficit limited to the raise in the debt limit and without any new taxes. Not negotiable; no budget no raise.
The debt limit is the trump card for the Republicans if they have the courage to play it.
Cut the funding to all of the freebies to people that do not contribute when they could.
F THE CEILING
F THE CLIFF
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO U.S.
Jimmuh Peanut sinned in his heart and Obammy saved in his head.