Worried that the U.S. will default on its debt because the Republicans will not vote for an increase? Don't bother. They won't do it, because they know that the resulting narrative is PARTY DEATH for a decade or more.
Read on to see why.
Imagine, if you will, a default on its debt by the United States government, for the first time in history. Immediately, the stock market dives by 10% or more, in one day. Soon after, the dollar plummets, resulting in markedly higher gas prices, and hence, food prices. People immediately see the results in their pocket books.
What will the media narrative be (outside of Fox News, natch)? That the REPUBLICANS did not vote to increase the debt ceiling. But a reason is necessary for this story, and here is where John Boehner shot himself in the ass. Boehner, and the Republicans, have already gone on record as saying they will not raise the ceiling, without cuts to Medicare. It's on tape, it's on the record.
That means that the narrative will be: "Republicans forced everyone to pay more for everything, hurt the economy, and damaged 401K's, because they wanted cuts to Medicare. And the Democrats said NO to Medicare cuts."
That narrative loses the GOP at least seniors, and also most independents, who generally don't give a damn, unless a party screws the pooch. Which the GOP just obviously did.
That is why the GOP will never not vote for that debt increase. Now, as for the Democrats actually caving to them, and throwing them a life-preserver in the form of Medicare cuts, that you actually have to be afraid of.