…Driven by a hard-line faction of conservatives, Washington is on the verge of doing something terribly stupid: shutting down the national government. Most of America is aghast. But it is also just possible that doing something stupid will help us avoid doing something truly dangerous.Shutdowns are a lousy way to run a government. Just for starters, this one would cut off services to women and children in need, furlough hundreds of thousands, further shake the confidence of the public, send a shudder through the financial world and create new storm clouds over the economy. And once again the world will wonder about our capacity for leadership.But all of this damage pales in comparison with the danger posed by a second, lurking threat: a default on our public finances.The United States has had 17 government shutdowns since 1977 and has generally recovered well. But we have never had a default. Experts, while not fully certain, are convinced that it could be hugely destructive — even leading to a worldwide financial meltdown. Unless Congress and the White House get their act together, we could default in less than three weeks.But a shutdown this week could have a silver lining. It could be such an electric shock to the political system that it forces the politicians in Washington to settle their squabbles before the default deadline.What we know from past shutdowns is that not only citizens — especially older ones dependent on Social Security and Medicare — start raising hell, but so do business and financial leaders who see damage rippling across their economic interests. Politicians are increasingly seen as villains. Pressure tends to grow so unbearable that eventually Washington finds a solution.Most of the pressure this time will be directed toward Republicans who have misplayed their hand. A new poll by CNN/ORC shows that 46% of Americans would blame a shutdown on Republicans, seeing them as spoiled children. Thirty six percent blame President Obama, and 13% point fingers at both.Seasoned GOP leaders across the country know that if a shutdown does serious damage, chances of Republicans picking up Senate seats in 2014 and the White House in 2016 could evaporate. Those leaders will push intensely for a way out.But Republicans are not the only ones who will come under pressure to find a settlement. So will Democrats, starting with President Obama. …
