Servicing the debt is costly why do not people understand that a balanced budget is better?
218119
On the other hand, having a little bit of national debt can be a good thing, because it allows the treasury to sell bonds on the debt, which is an important tool for monetary policy and allows the government to mitigate inflation.\n\nLots of debt is definitely a problem, though.  My theory on why people don't understand things like this (or act like they do) comes down to a combination of laziness, stupidity, and selfishness -- the unholy trinity of human failure.
188752
Because it is more responsible to spend your own. The more money you take from the government the more taxes you pay, or the bigger our deficit gets. Also I think most Americans get there fair share of government money.\n\nA homeless man on food stamps probably doesn't use the interstates and state roads. You probably do not use food stamps but do use the road. I think the amount of "welfare" the government gives out is equal, in fact I think rich and middle class people may recieve more goverment subsidy than poor people.\n\nAnd if for some reason you don't like the government "wasting" money on food stamps, housing and other services, then donate money to a not for profit that does something that you support, the more you donate to the not for profit, the less taxes you'll pay.
85931
The Budget Deficit is only one tiny little part of the whole debt problem the USA, and by extension the rest of the world, faces in the very near future. Yes, I realize I am saying a lot when I refer to our colossal deficit as tiny.\n\nThere is a monstrous deficit in the amount of repairs and improvements to our infrastructure that has been tossed about since the 1984 election that no one has really taken care of. Our local water systems are collapsing, and privatization has only made the problem worse. We are not working on improving our ability to complete interstate commerce upon which our economy depends. The multi-state black-out caused by a lightning strike should have been a wake up call, but if people don't care that you can't drink the water out of the kitchen sink I guess we have a ways to go.\n\nWhile we have the highest number of homeowners in our history, far too many of them are using the equity to extend the self-delusion that they are still in the middle class. This is why you see so many commercials of how neat it would be to mortgage your home to 125% of the value and take that vacation, just like the rich folks do!\n\nUnsecured debt and the resultant explosion of bankruptcy is going to plunge a large part of the population into a situation where eventually they will never be able to buy a car outside of the Trading Times and never have a chance of opening a business except a MLM nightmare.\n\nWe are allowing our growing need for energy to outstrip our ability to supply it even with foreign and unreliable sources. We are allowing a future without adequate education and job skills because of apathy on the part of parents and short sightedness of multinational employers. The list goes on and on.\n\nLets face it, the future is going to be a cold, dark and nasty place. Let's hope we're dead and buried long before it gets here.
157283
Public health system: Americans demand the best and most up to date health care - that costs. We also have a LOT of hypochondriacs that drive up the cost of health care, because they order every concievable test. Americans also are less likely to see a primary care physician regularly.\n\nMore importantly, because most people aren't paying out of pocket for health care, the costs actually go up, because no one shops around. That drives up everyone elses cost, and really screws the poor uninsured bastards.\n\nWorse, since many people don't see a doctor regularly, they instead go to the ER when something goes wrong - which drives up costs since prevention is far cheaper than solving the problem once it's gone to hell.\n\nHowever, the claim that there is no public health system is partially false. Life-threatening treatment will be provided. The indigent's treatment is paid for by the state, as are many children (into the lower-middle class). \n\nAlso, America's economy benefits greatly from the lack of a fully funded health system - the hard part is creating a public health system without hobbling the economy (like a large part of Europe).\n\n2.) Katrina's poor response is a good example of how federalism can backfire. In short, New Orleans is a crappy place to deal with an emergency, the local and state governments historically can't take a crap without going to committee (and overcharging the taxpayers), and the Feds assumed the Locals were going to bear the brunt of the planning. Whoops.
613632
... the public should throw out all the ones that brought this to a vote... it clearly wasn't going to pass and was a huge waste of taxpayer dollars... \n\nThis is just one reason the debt is so high... irresponsible spending like this...
490124
I read "Today our annual interest payment of more than $200 billion eats up every dollar of income tax paid by everyone living west of the Missisippi River."\n\nI've also read that it's not a problem, that a debt for a nation is different from an individual debt. I don't get why it's not a problem. Sure seems like a problem to me. I've also read that it's a small percentage of the GNP so not to worry. But I worry.
656633
Unfortunately, you're right. Most people don't seem to realize that less than 1% of the population makes over $100,000 per year. The left keeps saying we need to tax them more, but it does the least.\n\n\nWhat the gov. needs to do is stop spending!
85635
because they feel like they owe you something and nobody likes debt. also it takes putting your pride aside to ask for help-they may just be disapointed in themselves for not being "perfect"..
229382
B/c it's apart of International Politics. You must understand that there is no such thing as debt. Money is a substance regulated by people who also spend.\n\nI don't lose sleep at night.\n\nHere's a suggestion, let's stop giving other countried money and collect the debt owed to us, oh, and take out China - fincially.
138916
we have this huge debt becuase the government says so, who do we owe this money to? ourselves!!! so really there is no debt, it is an excuse to get more taxes out of us!!!
115503
The Defense Budget is the largest part of our Federal Budget, however only a small part of what we pay for defense is going to fight the war in Iraq.  My vote would have to say that even with all the new regulations on Medicaid and assistance that it costs the Government more to pay for Welfare Programs than it does to fight the War in Iraq.
261168
Don't you remember how cheap stuff used to be?  I remember when milk was way cheaper than it is now.\n\nThat's how it works though (probably): staples like milk and bread and then more expensive things that people buy all the time no matter what get more expensive, and so it seems less strange to be paying more for other stuff, like, um, c0ck rings.\n\nAnyway, I'm sure there's a bit more to it because inflation is all about them bonds and stuff.  I don't know about that, ya know.\n\nHere's another possibility: inflation depends on guys who go out and buy expensive catfood, but their cats don't like it, which of course they don't know until they have already bought it and the cat isn't eating it, so they have to go out and keep buying catfood until the cat eats some stuff.  (Probably the same with kids.)  Also, people in certain countries (ahem) seem not to care too much about how much money they have to spend, focusing more on what they want RIGHT NOW, sending them into massive debt.
497970
Why does everybody think its better to hit the person who has more harder for the same thing? You committed the crime you suffer the punishment, whatever it is. It's the same mentality as these people who claim that rich people get off light on crimes. I think its all a matter of resenting those who have money and a desire to take it away from them. Go out and earn it yourself if you want to be rich.\n\nWhy should the penalty for speeding be a monetary fine? Why shouldn't it be something more appropriate like picking up litter along the highway? Seems a lot more sensible to me. The reason its money is so the government has another excuse to reach into your pocket. Why are you so eager to take money from one group to give to the government?
298075
it is hard. sometimes it seems like you'll never get ahead.\nI'm married with a child, we don't get any aid and we have tried hard to stay debt free, it isn't easy!\nthere is always a way though, and someday you'll be able to tell your kids how hard it was in the old days:)\n\nthere are more people to support, that's the only reason they get more money.
117701
Because it's just an election year distraction for the idiot masses.  It keeps them from having to discuss the trade deficit, our massive debt or the ongoing war.  They just dangle this garbage out there for the dumbest in our society to have something to angry about.  Nothing will really happen with it.  It's just a distraction for the easily distracted.
413020
Wow. Or, as Spock would say;\n\n" Faaaaaasscinating! " \n\nYou're right, though. It's because people, particularly in the service industry and, if you are a political echo as well, are compelled to demonstrate what is clearly not forthcoming generally. It's a pretty gloomy time in human history presently. Some of us haven't lost hope. Some of us keep a posture of expectancy, as well we should! Thanks for your offer. Realistically speaking, my problems are fiscal, purely. And only for now. Again, thank you.
127580
No, your not.  The government is absolutely dreadful at distributing money.  Particularly this administration, which also has yet to figure out that you can't increase spending and decrease income at the same time.  I figure that one out when I was like five.