Ballast from the past

Selected almost at random from the NY Times historical data base (Oct 7, 1985):

The balanced budget proposal that has kept the Senate in session this weekend is attached to a bill that would increase the nation's debt ceiling by more than $250 billion.

The ceiling sets the limit on how much debt the Government can incur to meet its past and future obligations, and nobody on Capitol Hill or in the Administration disputes the fact that the current level needs to be raised.

....As in years past, Congress has taken advantage of the necessity to raise the debt limit to force action on separate legislation that might not otherwise be considered with such urgency.

The above is under the headline; WHY DEBT LIMIT BECOMES VEHICLE FOR LEGISLATION

Nobody...disputes the fact that the current level needs to be raised. 

The next time you hear Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi, or Barack Obama whine, 'Woe is me!', keep that in mind.