The debt limit increase is to cover money already spent (appropriated) by Congress for supposedly necessary things. Tying it to future cuts in programs that are needed is counterproductive, especially since our military budget is already so huge that we outspend the next 7 to 10 nations combined! It would be like saying "I'll only continue to pay my credit card debt if I don't buy food or gasoline or go to the doctor if I get sick.". . how about taking a good look at potential bills to be proposed, decide what will actually help the majority of the American people (like better, not worse, medical coverage) and propose those?