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Augen on 29 July 2013
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Branko2166 said:
While they may benefit in the short term, I don't see how it can be a good thing to print money you don't have long term. Japan and the USA in particular seem to be getting into ever increasing debt.

Last time I checled the US government was in debt to the tune of $16.7 trillion. Not sure how they are ever going to repay their debts.


  • Social Security (Social Security Trust Fund and Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund) - $2.72 trillion
  • Office of Personnel Management (Federal Employees Retirement, Life Insurance, Hospital Insurance Trust Funds, including Postal Service Fund) - $1.12 trillion
  • Dept. of Health and Human Services (Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund) - $69 billion
  • Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation - $35 billion
  • Department of Transportation (Airport and Highway Trust Fund) - $20 billion
  • Department of the Treasury (Exchange Stabilization Fund) - $23 billion
  • Department of Labor (Unemployment Trust Fund) - $21 billion
  • Foreign - $5.311 trillion
  • Federal Reserve - $1.66 trillion
  • State and Local Government, including their pension funds - $709.1 billion
  • Mutual Funds - $864.9 billion
  • Private Pension Funds - $605.2 billion
  • Banks - $305.2 billion
  • Insurance Companies - $259.1 billion
  • U.S. Savings Bonds - $184.7 billion

The United States will likely not repay the debt for a long long time.  At best we can hope is the debt's growth will be reduced to a more manageable number (one that is hopefully under the 100% annual GDP number) down the road.  Personally I see Social Security being the big casualty of the 21st century with pensions being the second (why I am planning my retirement now fully expecting to have to dpeend on myself for 100%).

 
Of for our major foriegn debtors (China at 1.25 trillion and Japan at 1.1 trillion) they are now so invested in the US success they know how much a failed US would cost them.  Essentially there are about 20 nations that have achieved "too big to fail" status and among them the US is the biggest.  Sadly, this means the US will not really ever fully address its debt problem as it will not be held accountable by anyone.