Some historical facts:

1. Mitch McConnell’s constant assertions that the United States has never defaulted on its financial obligations are patently untrue. The United States defaulted in 1979. http://dmarron.com/2011/05/26/the-day-the-united-states-defaulted-on-treasury-bills/

2. Previous to August 2, 2011 the most recent increase of the debt ceiling occurred during the first year of Barack Obama’s presidency with no fanfare or any hint of a “crisis”. It was a routine matter. http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d111:H.J.Res45:

3. From 1979 to 1995 the raising of the debt ceiling was so routine that it became an automatic process in order to avoid stand-alone voting on the issue. http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2011/0104/Five-ways-Republicans-will-change-the-House/Repeal-of-the-Gephardt-rule

4. The debt ceiling has been raised 74 times since 1962. 10 of those instances have occurred since 2001, and thus 9 of those increases occurred under President George W. Bush. (see point 2) http://money.cnn.com/2011/01/03/news/economy/debt_ceiling_faqs/index.htm

5. Note that the above article as well as numerous other sources discussed the impending debt ceiling issue months before the “crisis”. The United States reached its most recent debt ceiling on May 16, 2011. Congress and the President were well aware of this issue at least six months ago.

The recent squabble, if necessary, could have taken place then. It did not need to be drawn out and turned into an opportunity for pre-campaign posturing. These people do not represent our best interests.