Political Thoughs

I am having a hard time understanding why Democrats and Republicans are making this debt ceiling issue so difficult. Why is no one looking to the deals that were put in place when Clinton was in office? These deals lead to economic vitality for the nation and a budget surplus! But, I suppose Republicans just want to sieze power by any means necessary and Democrats just don't seem to be standing up to the party of No. Where does that leave the rest of the country?