i thought cutting was the goal?

[joeydb]

Originally Posted by Riot

We can pay it back, but not if we allow default. Default will send our interest rates on the debt we already have skyrocketing. Then we'll never be able to pay it back.

OK, that sounds reasonable. And nobody actually WANTS a default, but then the president and the Democrats do need to allow serious cuts in spending. If you can cut the spending enough to actually start paying the (net) debt back, then raising the debt limit in the interim by a small amount seems like a good idea.

Both sides are playing chicken. "No cuts in 'benefits' for entitlements" and "Not raising the debt limit no matter what" are irreconcilable positions.