Republican politicians and conservative activists have taken the American economy hostage, refusing to raise the debt ceiling until their demands are met. Even House Speaker John Boehner admits that members of his own caucus are now trying to precipitate a government default in order to pass a balanced budget amendment and starve the government of revenue.

On The Ed Show, Katrina vanden Heuvel discusses how President Obama can break through Republican gamesmanship and prevent a default crisis—and what progressives are doing across the country to resist the GOP’s increasingly reckless policies.

—Kevin Donohoe