I don't understand this. Shut down the military short of non-essential functions, shift money to bringing soldiers home now, and cancel every military contract.

I don't understand this. Shut down the military short of non-essential functions, shift money to bringing soldiers home now, and cancel every military contract. See how long before the Republicans capitulate. The executive branch holds the keys to military spending. Foreign aid to Israel and Egypt is magically delayed, too. This debt ceiling could be used to hit goals that the progressive movement has wanted for years and put the Republicans in a weak position for negotiating. Everyone would hurt, of course, but it wouldn't last long before Republicans blinked.