>http://www.cnn.com/2011/POLITICS/05/31/debt.ceiling.vote/index.html
>
>This is a political stunt, as the article points out. The dance over the budget ceiling is an annual pageant no matter which party is in charge. The wild eyed children in the House have brought a new wrinkle to it, demanding spending cuts to buy their votes. Specific programs like Planned Parenthood are on their hit list.
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>Economists are unanimous in their opinion that the U.S. defaulting on its debts -- that's what this means in plain terms -- would be catastrophic for the world economy. The young ones in the House don't care. They're on a mission. They're like the zombies in horror movies..

Your statement regarding economists opinion on the debt ceiling is technically true but misleading. After all, it doesn't take an economist to know that the US defaulting on it's debts would be very bad for global finances. However, default itself is a political decision. The Dept of Treasury chooses the order in which spending occurs. Geithner can pay our interest payments first and defund other spending, thus, no default.

Many economists believe that spending cuts should accompany any increase in the debt ceiling.
http://www.cnbc.com/id/43234290