How has the national debt effected anybody? Does anyone really know what the national debt is, or why we have it?\n\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_debt
138868
And your not, just another mentally deficient, me, type repuglican. Do not worry about tomorrow, never mind that the kids and grand kids will have to pay this debt, and more importantly the interest. Do you realize that the interest on a 3 trillion dollar debt is enough to fund health care for each individual in the country, oh that's right you have health care and it don't matter to you. I bet I am closer to "right" then you are.
202119
I own everything I have-house, cars, vacation home, livestock-no debt, ZERO.\n\nThe problem in this country is that people are trained to follow the status-quo from birth.\n\ngraduate high school\ngo to college\nget a job\nbuy a car\nget married\nbuy a house\nhave children\nspoil children\ndie broke\n\nThis is the chronology of financial disaster and lifelong hardship for Americans.  This string of events forces most of us into a situation where we have to work to pay interest and taxes to keep the govt in operation.  It is a plan that the powers that be put in most tiny little pea brains to keep society producing to provide revenue.\n\nWe the people are for the most part middle class tax slaves and slaves to the bank.\n\nThe federal reserve(which is not part of govt but a private company) controls the banking and interest rates and controls the people and then buys and pays for the politicians.\n\nSome say that JFK was actually assasinated because he attempted to get rid of the Federal Reserve.  The 9 trillion debt we as a country owe, is owed to the federal reserve-they print money out of thin air and loan it to us as citizens and to the govt.\n\nUntil we start teaching the truth like this in the govt monopoly we call public schools, American citizens will continue to be indentured servants living the status quo!!!\n\nSPREAD THE WORD- NO MORE FEDERAL RESERVE
167107
Not anymore satisfaction, the more you make the more you spend-yep, still in debt.  The more you make, the more responsibilities and stress, which means less time with the ones you love.  Yes, I can afford to do more things; however, the time is not always there.  I guess it also depends on the occupation.
351695
As far as I can see there is a culture of debt in this country. You are pretty much forced into debt at every turn, to the point that if you have no credit cards, loans etc. you become untouchable, your "Credit Rating" near zero and consequently making it tough on many scores.\nThe government needs to reverse this trend if personal debt is to drop. Thing is they wont as it is the debtors that keep the country afloat with charges.
437523
There have been so many changes in the government--I don't feel the military is effected at all.  I'm not in the military but have been a dependent for the past 20 years (daughter and wife).  My father has disliked several people who have run our country and its department of defense.  Did that make him go into early retirement?  No.  I've notice the people I know (not all) who are in the military don't really care about officials.  Sure, they vote but in the end they have sworn to be a part of the military.  Despite who is "in charge" they will continue doing their job.  I also believe the benefits will continue to convince people to join because it seems that's all people care about these days.  This is why I do not feel it will effect the military.
233422
Most of that stuff happens to every administration. The control of the borders isn't any worse than it ever was. It's just that someone is making an isssue of it, (to distract from Iraq if you ask me). But I agree about the deficit. He turned a record surplus, into a deficit, long before 9/11, so you can't blame it on that.
171215
Government is like any big business. It's not an issue of debt, but of cash flow. That's what politicians are dirving at when they say debt is not always a big issue. Right now, our cash flow situation has not been impeded by our debt.
502335
I AGREE WITH YOU WHOLEHEARTIDLY.  I see all these people flipping out their credit cards when it comes to pay.  They go to bed worrying, they are thousands of dollars in debt, they probably have all kinds of high blood pressure, ulcers. etc.   If I can't pay for it cash, I don't get it.  I learned  my lesson by putting myself in major debt with credit cards.  I have paid them off and now I live a simple life.  I have taught my children to appreciate things.  Don't get me wrong. I give them what they need, but they are not spoiled little brats. They have learned to appreciate the value of things and money.  Excellent question and though provoking.
354832
I have a real concern about this.  It is hard to believe this got through by attaching it to a Military spending bill.  I don't like the parallels it runs to the Biblical "Mark"\nWithout this National ID, you won't... \nDrive your car \nBoard a plane, train, or bus \nEnter any federal building \nOpen a bank account \nHold a job \nIf you can’t hold a job or have a bank account, how much buying and selling will you be able to do?
600099
Outsourcing is not under the control of the president. Private companies outsource, and short of congress passing a new law (which isn't going to happen) nothing can be done about it. As for National debt too early yet, candidates haven't really declared or set platforms yet.
252967
we havent seen a surplus since 1830s. the 'surplus' during clinton was a hoax. he bailed out mexico by having greenspan print up $3.8 billion bounced it off the roof of the treasury into chase manhatten. then bush bought us all off with it at the beginning of his 1st term. right ow the debt is $8,363,454,225,996.54 The estimated population of the United States is 298,676,548 so each citizen's share of this debt is $28,001.71. The National Debt has continued to increase an average of $1.95 billion per day since September 30, 2005! Concerned? Then tell Congress and the White House! http://www.eff.org/congress/
149808
I couldn't understand what is it exactly what you are asking. But i will do my best to give and honest answer that might shed some light on you.\n\nThe idea of a negative effect of the trade deficit has been discussed thoroughly by economists and it seems like we haven't got a proper answer yet. Is it good or bad? we don't know yet. WE know deficit and surpluses are favorable and unfavorable.\n\nAn expanding U.S. economy fuels demand by American consumers and producers to buy more imports as well as domestically produced goods and services.\nRising U.S. domestic output, in turn, attracts the foreign investment that finances an expanding U.S. current account deficit. \nIn contrast, slowing U.S. domestic demand not only depresses U.S. output and employment growth — but also lessens demand for imports and the inflow of foreign investment. \n\nIn addition to the uncertain causality, the evidence also does not address the question of how persistent and rising current account deficits may affect the U.S. economy in the long run.\nThe "sustainability" of the U.S. current account deficit has been much debated among the experts. But whatever negative impact the deficit may have in the long run, there is no evidence that it poses a drag on the U.S. economy in the short run. \n\nWhy does all this matter? The answer is simple. Misperceptions about the U.S. trade deficit and the economy can tempt U.S. policymakers to "do something" about the deficit to show that they are concerned.\n\nFrom my point of view i would say that a trade deficit (just as a fiscal deficit) is a tool used by a country to do some economic policy.\n\noh, and that "natural market consequence" that you are looking for might be the exchange rates. A fall in the exchange rates will cause foreigners to buy more of our goods and us to buy less foreign goods.
203103
The Debt of the US\nhttp://www.publicdebt.treas.gov/
424780
I think this country has gone over the edge as far as helping others.  My tax dollars go to pay for other peoples education and when I need money there is none for me.  I knew someone who got flown in from a different country to have heart surgery completely free of charge.  Would anyone in this country who works and pays takes get that for free ?? Hell no.  My own grandmother got money from the govt for being old.  She had never worked a day in this country.  I think those things are wrong.  The people who live here and pay taxes dont get as much as people from other countries do.
76538
how low can we go? Bush and Cheney are monsters. How much more can the national debt soar? How many lies can he tell?  Is there another oil-rich country that we can invade? Is Osama Bin Laden still virtually unscathed from his horrendous attack on our country? How many of our young people are going to Iraq? How many will come home? How much richer can the rich get? How much poorer can the poor get? It is a sad state of affairs when our people are out priced at the gas pumps, and it is only going to get worse. These are tip of the iceberg questions, but suffice it to say that there is not a number that goes low enough. He will spend his remaining tenure in office seeing just how much his constituency can stand before reaching point break. I am already there, but I can proudly say that I did not vote for this monster, or for his ass clown father.
13190
I agree with you whole-heartedly. Like this Jack Abramoff thing. Why does everybody tiptoe around what really happened? I know that it's not "PC" to call taking bribes in government office treason, but jeez, just come out and say it! And I'm with you on this tax-loving thing! Let's just do the right thing- raise the deficit as high as we can and lower taxes! Some bleeding-heart liberal will probably want to lower the deficit, though, and we all know what that means: taxes. Just like you say!
394846
Budget deficits are only good when\n(a) there is no risk of inflationary pressure\n(b) the country is in recession\n(c) whatever is loaned is spent on increasing productivity.\n\nWhile fiscal discipline is worth striving for, it would be problematic if low interest rates result in a blow-out in consumer borrowing.