Two major pieces missing from the debt ceiling discussion, plus the good, the bad and the ugly

In my work as a data analyst I have to compartmentalize my mind because I cannot afford to let the narrative my heart most desires interfere with what the working data at that moment shows. That is a weird frame of mind for most folks. But here goes: The graph above tells the story. There have been two major events in recent years that called for major spending measures to alleviate hardships on Americans. And as with everyone else at DK I am trying to understand how the consequences of...