We need to drive down requirements for the schools. In the 19th century we increased the quality of the schools by higher education saying 'You can't come in unless you have these skills unless you've taken these courses.' We did that in Wisconsin when I was there it helped to transform the secondary school system.
The debt-ceiling vote isn't about what will be done in the future it is about the integrity of America's commitment to support the bonds we issue. Elected officials have an obligation to maintain that integrity regardless of whether they voted for the programs that required the borrowing in the first place.