Obama must now do for the entire federal government what Mayor Gray has done for the

District, which is serving in this case as a true laboratory of democracy. Obama should declare the entire federal government essential, and fund it at current levels unless and until Congress passes a new funding law or Continuing Resolution.

It is high time to end the absurd practice of letting a small minority of GOP sociopaths and fanatics threaten the General Welfare. Obama should simultaneously invoke the XIV Amendment and direct Treasury Secretary Lew to keep the government fully funded while meeting all current debt payments and other obligations irrespective of supposed debt ceilings or debt limits. The debt ceiling is unconstitutional, and bankrupting the nation by defaulting on US commitments is patently illegal. Jefferson and Lincoln were right: the US Constitution is not a suicide pact.