It is almost too late to (finally) have a backbone., but the D's better evolve one quickly.
Everytime it's us against them, the R's play hardball, and the D's bend over and grab their ankles.
I'm not suggesting calling their bluff, I'm suggesting that we actually let all the shit that they want to happen...happen (if they don't give in and allow tax revenue as part of the discussion).
It's like when you have a kid that only wants to eat junkfood. Wah, wah, wah...why can't we have candy for dinner? Why? Why? Why?
Now, one way to handle this is to be the adult and explain that nutrition is important, and candy and junkfood are bad for you. BORING! And the kid isn't going to believe you anyway.
Instead, just buy more than they want, and let them eat it until they can't eat anymore.
More on the flip...
Yes, this is likely to mean a sugar high, followed by a sugar crash...and if you bought everything they wanted on a 'you can pick what you want' junkfood binge shopping trip...lots of multi-colored vomiting.
The key here is to start the 'I told you so' lessen right when the child decides they might be finished binging. If done correctly, it will result in a chorus of 'nah uh's' followed by a slight pause, and then a resumption of doubling down on the junkfood remnants.
Eventually, although they will be loath to admit it, the child will have to stop. Despite the almost crazed sugar induced state, even they will realize that 'uh oh, maybe Mom / Dad was right'.
And hopefully, right after the realization kicks in, the vomiting starts. Long, deeply memorable, fits of vomiting are the goal, but anything that will help drive home the realization that next time they ought to listen, is fine.
Back to the real world, yes, default will pretty much end the existing (false) financial life cycle that makes up the way this world works right now.
And yes, this will pretty much cause decades and decades of pain for absolutely everyone (including the R's and their junkfood craving minions).
But the children aren't listening to the adults anymore, and it's time to let them eat all the junkfood they want.
Yes, we will all be cleaning up vomit for a long long time.