Question to all US orgahs 40+ years and older

[Kralizec]

Indeed.

And one might argue that in the last thirty years or so, the best long-term care plan was actually implemented by President Clinton, after which the recovering patient was summarily and ritually kneecapped by Bush.

Clinton only managed to get a surplus in two of the eight years he was in office. It's rather telling that his administration is cited as an example of fiscal responsibility.

EDIT: I'm only 24 but my guess is that both sides are consciously exploiting all the time they have to get the most out of it. Shortly before the deadline Obama and the HoR republicans will somehow reach a compromise and the debt ceiling will be raised.