The bottom line on the debt ceiling increase

[pscot]

It is my understanding that the Congress has to increase the country's borrowing limit or we go into technical default. Why is it necessary for the President to negotiate any sort of deficit reduction in order for the Congress to raise the debt ceiling? If they refuse, how is that the president's fault? If he were to leave for Hawaii tomorrow and turn off his cell phone, how would that affect the Congress' ability to act? Has any president before now ever offered any kind of concessions to Congress to get them to do that which they are required, by law, to do? In other words, why is Obama negotiating with these racketeers?