When does the national debt get to be a real problem?

[USALiberal]

It seems out of control to me. But maybe i am missing something.

http://www.usdebtclock.org

Each tax payers share is $180,000 as of today. Impossible to collect needless to say.

The GOP always complains about when the dems are in office but when the GOP is in control it always grows more than it does under the dems.

What am I missing with this, it seems like at some point it is beyond fixing? I would love a link to any article that explains it or addresses how it is not an issue that needs addressed ASAP, thanks!

[jberryhill]

1. When a Democrat is running for re-election

The rest of the time, it's fine.

[spanone]

10. Precisely.

Two things you never hear about when republics are in office: Deficits and Human Rights.

[Norbert]

2. Not until the next Dem president assumes office

until then deficits don't matter.

[TheRealNorth]

8. Pretty much this

[wasupaloopa]

3. when the interest payments cost so much we have to cut back on social programs.

[PoliticAverse]

14. Interest payment on debt was over $ 300 billion in 2018. That would pay for a lot...

of social programs.

[PoliticAverse]

4. When people stop lending the government money at reasonable interest rates. n/t

[dubyadiprecession]

5. When U.S. tax income can no longer cover the interest.

[dogman]

6. A different view.

https://www.cnbc.com/video/2019/03/01/stephanie-kelton-explains-modern-monetary-theory.html

[USALiberal]

7. Thanks! Will watch it tonight! Nt

[marylandblue]

9. The implied answer has always been that we will purposely induce inflation

Inflation is good for debtors because the dollars you pay back are worth less than the dollars you borrowed. This is what dogman's video in post 6 is really saying. There are many naysayers among traditional economists and pundits, but it can work if you are VERY careful not to overdo it, which means not allowing spending to run too far ahead of economic growth.

Governments actual have successfully used MMT during wars, as we did during the Civil War. But we returned to fiscal discipline after the war was over and it was a period of rapid economic growth, which helped too.

Jimmy Carter once said We need the moral equivalent of war." Can climate change be that?

[exboyfil]

11. Can I exchange today my 401K/IRA for

chits to purchase health insurance, food, utilities, and rent in the future?

Otherwise I really don't like that idea.

Also folks may want to think about their defined pensions that don't have COLA built it.

[marylandblue]

12. You can buy inflation-protected bonds

This was always the implied answer, because the other answer, cutting spending or raising taxes to the point of causing a severe recession is politically and economically impossible.

[exboyfil]

15. I have already done that

It is a good suggestion. I laddered a bunch when TIPS interest rate matched regular Treasuries (really unheard of). Some have come due since then.

What I don't like is the actions towards changing the CPI index. So I switch from steak to chicken because of the cost of steak. That shouldn't reduce the overall basket. Also so much in the CPI is useless. I really can care less that I can get a 60 inch TV for $300 if rent has doubled. At least my kids are done with college.

[USALiberal]

16. Bond funds in financial instituions? Nt

[sinkingfeeling]

13. When Democrats run Congress.

[Doremus]

17. .

Thanks for the concern on this important topic.