Yet another case of the politicians creating a crisis, then congratulating themselves for avoiding it. They postponed the debt ceiling until after the elections, which allowed the Dems to get reelected, by making the "Fiscal Cliff" deal in which tax cuts would be allowed to expire in exchange for certain spending cuts. Now the Dems don't want to abide by the deal. Classic incrimentalism. They made the deal knowing full well the consequences, but want to renegotiate before they suffer those consequences, like a 5 year old that's about to be grounded...