“Republicans in Congress have two choices here: They can act responsibly, and pay America&

“Republicans in Congress have two choices here: They can act responsibly, and pay America’s bills; or they can act irresponsibly, and put America through another economic crisis. But they will not collect a ransom in exchange for not crashing the American economy. The financial well-being of the American people is not leverage to be used. The full faith and credit of the United States of America is not a bargaining chip.” —President Obama in the final news conference of his first termyesterday