Virtually every economist says that the U.S. defaulting on its debt for the first time in history would be a devastating blow to the already weak economy and could plunge it into chaos.  In short, a BIG HOT FISCAL MESS of epic proportions.  And yet Republicans are now floating the idea that it wouldn’t be so bad for the U.S. to default for a few days.  If we needed more proof that the radical, wing-nut, aluminum headgear right has gone around the bend, here it is.  There is nothing “conservative” about this.