You have got it right
Absent the raw political power, there is no recourse at present
It’s an unpopular view around here, but I think we’re in a no win situation. I’m fine with a shutdown if it succeeds in forcing a compromise, but evidence suggests the Democrats actually WANT a shutdown. Why? They will use it to inflict the most pain possible while the media blames Republicans.
As much as I dislike the GOPe, delaying the debt ceiling struggle until after the next election is a reasonable position. Again, I don’t know if it’s the best choice, but it’s a reasonable choice given the situation. Nothing really changes until the next election, and we (conservatives) have to win big. That is the only way we have any hope of changing the political balance in DC, and even then, President Obama can still simply refuse to compromise.