If cheques are rationed, the White House decides who gets one.

After paying interest and social service bills, the Executive Branch decides who gets a cheque and who gets a layoff notice.  Think about  the "Law of Unintended Consequences": A government cutback may empower the Obama administration, rather than discipline it.   This idea is spelled out at Obama, Geithner Hold All the Face Cards in Debt Ceiling Fight by Jazz Shaw at Pajamas Media.