How the hell does that work? Defeatist thinking: Since not raising the DL does not bring Ø to negotiate, then raising the DL will bring Ø negotiate? Can't they get it thru their collective skulls that Ø wants the crisis of no DL increase?
You are correct. It is just like a strike. You need leverage. The leverage is no hike of the limit. Give that up, then you give up your leverage.
The concern is not paying out some of the other goodies such as social security, covering costs of securing the country (e.g. the important parts of the military etc.) while paying the interest on the debt. That could be a serious political problem.