And foolishly the same people who are causing this keep getting reelected

I think GDP is a largely irrelevant metric. Really its our government's tax revenue that matters. That amount that we the people have agreed upon to pay them annually, under the assumption that they will spend wisely. I know many economists and politicians use GDP often, but I think they do so to downplay the seriousness of our financial situation. Its sort of like if a family member going to the bank for a loan has tons of debt, but tells the bank not to worry because their siblings and cousins and aunts and uncles, etc. have lots of money. The bank cares only about the borrowers (governments) assets, and cares not for the rest of his family's financial situation (the taxpayers). Unless of course the other family members agree to co-sign the loan (all of the US citizens agree to pay WAY more in taxes).

...I am open to another train of thought though regarding 'GDP's value' in US debt discussions, if you care to discuss.

Yes, I agree. The gov wants, ...needs, inflation. But our debt is now so big, and still growing due to the unending handouts from this administration, that I don't see how even mass inflation makes the numbers work out.

Some time ago did just a little reading on the issue of sovereign debt, all the "money" that was borrowed by governments, that the governed owed , depressing, the numbers high and getting higher with no practical solution, and certainly not just this country. Doom and gloom prediction are easy to find, practical solution not so. Faced with a worst case scenario of a international financial systemic failure you can be sure that governments would exert their sovereign powers for "easy" short term solutions that would create long term problems, oh well.

Unique
 

I would concur on tax revenue. We are on a unique path from the rest of the world. We have a Fed that sets interest rates to reduce inflationary pressure separate from what our spend happy leaders want. Or at least so it SEEMS.

Our FED has dictated a 2% goal for a healthy economy and so far the soft landing seems to be obtainable. The exception is the housing market which they could care less about. I foresee a slight increase in the lending rate or current status quo at least till year’s end. We need to get inflation down from 3.3%. This should keep current servicing rates predictable.

The twist is continued borrowing. How high can this go? I’m not thinking the average citizen can afford much more due in large part to inflation at the grocery stores and the rising cost in home purchases and borrowing. This leaves the following questions: Can Americans pay more in taxes? How much debt is solvent?

Companies could be taxed, but they won’t operate at a loss, they will raise prices on their goods. We’ve seen the failure of VAT taxes in Europe and the pickle they are in. Perhaps a straight forward taxing system is needed? Flat taxing for everything on everybody?

The Fed separation from government will continue, it has to. It’s the only system that keeps our financial system stable. Debt will be paid down only after consequences are felt by all of us and we demand something be done. Only then will politicians stand on that platform. Till then, we will have a special interests taxing system with thousands of loopholes and the spend, spend, spend giveaway attitude by politicians.

another failed upload

It is a real problem for young families. But should not be a problem for seniors who have adequate income and savings. That being said I don't smoke or drink. But I do see the price of beer, wine, and liquor has gone thru the roof. Beef prices too. Not so much chicken or produce. So those senior who smoke, or drink, or eat beef every night are really hurting. Oh well...

The real problem is the basis of the rate. When your government uses a rate that removes food and energy price inflation as they are "too volatile", the politicians get to skate on those items that affect you most. If you are like me, with a private pension that makes up the majority of my income, the 19% accumulated inflation over the past three years will never be recouped in any manner. It's gone. My pension is worth 19% less than it was worth three years ago (plus the food and energy inflation that has been removed from the rate).

In retrospect, you could have taken a lump sum payment from your pension.

Hindsight is 20/20

Four years ago people were hoarding toilet paper, chlorine wipes and paper towels.

...and rubbing alcohol, bread, aloe vera juice, packaged foods, bottled water, canned foods, neoprene and latex gloves, ammonia, masks, paper napkins, sponges, Lysol spray and other aerosol air disinfectants.

Prices need to be REDUCED to get back to the pre-Biden level of inflation....

I'm not going to read all the posts in this thread so mine may be a duplicate. Theres also a good possibility this post will get deleted......

The federal government collected nearly $4.5 trillion in revenue in fiscal year 2023. They spent ~$6.2 trillion in FY 2023. This is not a one or the other party problem, its an all government and all citizen issue.

Who can spend more than they make year after year and stay solvent?
Who in their right mind thinks this is 1 little tiny bit ok?

FWIW....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzVmuiXVa7Y

Really the only way out of state slavery.

Is inflation really down to 3.3 ? They can tell us anything, but how do we prove it ? Face it, our leaders lie to us.
Go the the food store, or buy gas or a new car, prices are still high, and that's inflation to me.