Higher debt ceiling, steeper fiscal cliff. Uncle Sam "pause" at altitude of ~17 trillion..: for a soft landing or go up further?

(quote)
*Update Oct 19 2013* - U.S. debt jumps a record $328 billion — tops $17 trillion for first time

Ryan Links Budget Impasse to Debt Ceiling Fight, suggested on Tuesday that the government shutdown may not be resolved for more than two weeks. That would come, he said, when the country reaches its debt limit.
WASHINGTON - Representative Paul D. Ryan of Wisconsin, chairman of the House Budget Committee, suggested on Tuesday that the government shutdown may not be resolved for more than two weeks.
That would come, he said, when the country reaches its debt limit.

Noting that previous agreements over the budget had come together around the deadline when the country has reached its statutory borrowing limit, Mr. Ryan said, “We think that will be the forcing mechanism to bring the two parties together. Our goal and motivation here is to get a budget agreement.
(unquote)

Images courtesy CBS News and brillig.com