hate to break this to you, but the ratings agencies have already agreed that ANYTHING we do is going to end with a downgrade except for one outcome.
a serious and permanent fix to our out of control spending.
If we cut spending and no debt ceiling increase, we get lowered.
If we increase debt spending without a balanced budget amendment and cuts on spending immediately, we get lowered.
If we go into default, we get lowered.
See, unfortunately we let this get way too bad so that the outcome no matter what's done is going to nail us in the ass. The issue is making sure we have immediate fixes that aren't "10 years out" as proposed now.