The Treasury has been granted authority by Congress to issue debt as is needed to fund government operations as long as the total debt does not exceed a stated ceiling.  The existence of The Debt Ceiling is often used by politicians to redundantly demonstrate their obvious fiscal responsibility.



I am not certain that Congress understands what the term “Ceiling” actually means.  In the sense they are using the word it is defined as:

Ceiling:  An upper usually prescribed limit set on anything, as by official regulation (a ceiling on prices, rents, and wages)

What Congress appears to be doing is consistently raising the debt limit every year or so as they spend beyond our means.  This predictable and incremental increase in allowable debt does not resemble a ceiling.  A better description of this Congressional phenomenon might be a prescribed Debt Linear Ascension.

Linear:  Of, relating to, or resembling a line; straight
Ascension:  The act or process of ascending; ascent

I hereby waive copyright claims to "The Debt Linear Ascension" with the hope that our political leaders in Washington might adopt the term, or some equally descriptive alternative, in the interests of clarity and accuracy.