The Debt Ceiling and Extortion

 We cannot look at the Debt Ceiling as simply a conflict between the executive and legislative branches and we certainly cannot look at it as a conflict which ought to be resolved by the judiciary.  Make no mistake that Republican use of the debt ceiling will go beyond addressing a (manufactured?) deficit crisis.  Already, at least one representative, Chip Roy, has suggested using the debt ceiling to extract concessions from the president and Democrats with respect to immigration.  Once the door to extortion is opened our constitutional system of check and balances collapses amid threats and counter threats.   Will this president or any president withhold disaster relief from the states of recalcitrant congressmen and senators?  Will this president or any president delay tax refunds and/or federal Medicaid funds.  Will the only constraints on tit for tat  action by the executive and legislative branches be political calculations?  Our republic demands restraint by politicians.  Without this restraint all hope must be abandoned.