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The fact that it came to this point isn't enough?

Its come to this point quite often and probably will in the future. Both parties use the debt ceiling as a time to try to get what they want. Read each parties statements in the 2000 - 2008 era for a laugh at how they switched (almost word for word) this time.

I don't remember Democrats ever using threats over the debt ceiling. It seems to be specifically right-wing phenomenon [1]. In fact there are some for whom the endgame seems to be to force the government to default and assume it won't be catastrophic for the economy (one wonders if these folks have significant short/call positions).

[1] http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/10/14/for-many-hard-l...

Look at the run-up to the 2006 bill. 1999 was also a very weird one.

Can you provide some links or analysis? I don't find any threats.

it is. but unfortunately we don't have an alternative..

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