Government Debt By Nation

Government Debt By Nation Resource

Popular Questions

Do these cases of government debt and budget deficit indicate potential problems for the economy? Does the size of the government's debt and the size of the budget deficit indicate potential problems for the economy in any of these cases? 1. The government's debt is relatively low, but the government is running a large budget deficit as it builds a high-speed rail system to connect the major cities of the nation. 2. The government's debt is relatively high due to a recently ended deficit-financed war, but the government is now running only a small budget deficit. 3. The government's debt is relatively low, but the government is running a budget deficit to finance the interest payments on the debt.

Dennis replied: "Well, the first two indicate government spending which circulates money in the economy leading to a higher GDP. The third one indicates a deficit not due to government spending. The third one would have more of an impact on the economy so I would say the third one would indicate what you had asked."

Smitty2007 replied: "the third seems most likely because of the risk implication, as the gov is using a budget deficit to finance interest."

The difference between government debt and personal debt is that:? A. Government can print money to pay off its debt. B. Internal debt makes the citizens of that nation poorer. C. External debt makes the citizens of that nation richer. D. There is no difference between the two.

Brenda M replied: "The "real" answer is " D " . . . most unfortunately"

correct answer b? always limited by congress... the level of the nation's debt is? the level of the nation's debt is a. limited by the constitution b. always limited by congress c. is not limited by any government branch d. is not to exceed $10 billion

BeachBum replied: "C. Bush proved this one with signing statements that have increased the deficit to record levels."

Why's it called 'national' debt when it's the government who owes money & not the nation? If a thief hires a hooker with money he doesn't have and the hooker's pimp comes and threatens the thief because his debt wasn't paid off in the promised time, that doesn't give the thief any right to steal the money he needs from people to pay it off. The debt is no ones but the thief's. If the nation WERE the government, there would be no taxes. When there is a need there are those who satisfy the need for a profit, this is human nature. I propose only that violence shouldn't be a means of getting things done when voluntary trade and interaction will do just as well. Do you really think people would rather sit in the mud and starve than use their skills to make a profit in the absence of the state?

redhead27 replied: "where do you think the government gets its money from? The governments money is the nations money... they are in charge of it... you know that thing you call taxes? Ya... that goes to the government to spend... and well, our government made bad spending decisions... whose fault is that? The nations... we elected him."

cakeeater replied: "watch this, it'll explain it for you "

bigcherrybomb replied: "yeah well we are the governments source of cash so when they take out debt we are the collateral. our projected taxes. they are pretty much counting their eggs before they hatch and taking the risk that eventually we will be able to pay them off. it would take thousands of years though so i don't see that happening in any of our lifetimes. it is called national debt because the government took out these loans for the nation. it is as if they have the power of attorney over us. which they do and we gave it to them. you don't like what they are doing and how they do it? well then as an american over the age of 18 you have the right and the responsibility to do something about it. like vote ,petition, and all those other slow and slightly useless channels. and protest is pretty much illegal these days."

Bill P replied: "it does seem like the government of the people, by and for the people is out of touch with the people. It is, in the history of mankind, a rather recent experiment in self government. There are many things wrong with the system and we seem to be slow making corrections because everyone has to approve of the changes. Many people benefit from the way things are right now and will do all possible to maintain the present status. The "very important people" in Washington DC love being very important and surround themselves with thousands more who help them maintain their positions. The only important thing on their agendas is getting re elected and much of their effort is directed there.. Our nation has elected our government to represent us and often they don't do it very well. Winston Churchill said it is a terrible system but it is the best one as yet devised"

Can someone explain the National Debt in layman's terms? If possible, give me an example on a much smaller scale. I'm always confused as to whether it is only our government's debt to other nations' governments or somehow it includes the debts of all of our fellow citizens.

jdfnv replied: "The debt is ours we have to pay for it with the tax base, taxes collected. Our Great Pres BUSH has trashed the USA. We owe out more then ever in history"

Studly replied: "Simple terms? You own a house. You have a mortgage that you have to pay within 30 years. That is your "national debt". You get a credit card and charge stuff. The balance is added to your "national debt". Your deadbeat neighbor...lets call him Mr. Clinton...borrowed a bunch of money for you. He says he will pay you back in 10 years. But you don't have that much money, so you "borrow" it from another friend, lets call him. Mr. Social Security. Add that money to your "national debt". Another friend, lets call him "Mr. Kennedy", wants money so he can stand on a bridge and toss it over for the poor people. You don't have the money, so you borrow it from an Arab loanshark. You sign what's called a "Treasury Note" promising to pay the Arab back, with interest. The loan and interest are now added to your "national debt". Did I clear this up for you? ;)"

Are you frightened by our nation's growing debt? Is anyone out there scared the way our Government is spending money we don't have ? Putting us deeper and deeper into debt to foreign nations? Wanna see how fast the debt is mounting? Check this out - 1 second ago - 4 days left to answer.

fpa06mr replied: "i dont really care because there's nothing i can do about it anyway. and, no matter how bad things get its not like we are going to be living in poverty like africa or romania or somewhere."

Drixnot replied: "Yes, I am a little. But the majority of the money is staying in the country. I was much more alarmed by the money that was going into the war in Iraq... a war that I feel was totally unnecessary."

Legend in your own mind! replied: "Well, Bush was the one who put us into debt far worse than any president in history. Obama's plans are to reinvest and to reform health care because health care is the one single largest expenditure and will be for years to come unless it's completely revamped. Bush's spending was for things we could NEVER recover and his tax cuts made them ten times worse and he managed to sell people on the idea that no taxes could somehow magically pay for all of it. Am I worried? You bet your life and the idiots who think lowering taxes will pay for all of it get all the press because it appeals to everyone regardless of the fact that it's a load of rubbish. If I sold you a billion dollar house then told you you have to take a huge pay cut would you be worried? That's exactly what Bush in essence did to us. He never once vetoed a single spending bill plus got us into 3 wars (Iraq, Afghanistan and the phony war on terror) while continually lowering taxes leaving us with no way to pay for any of it."

G s replied: "I am not that concerned. I know God is in control! :D It's all going according to His plan..."

Does anyone realize that the nations a trillion debt is not cause by the government? But instead it is mostly caused by Americans not Buying American, Look at all the Mercedes on the road, we should be driving Cadillacs, look at all the Porsches on the road we should be driving Corvettes and lets not forget all the china crap you people buy at Toys R Us and stores like them. So now do you still blame Carter, Ford, Reagan, Bush, Clinton and Bush Again or are you willing to take responsibility for your buying habits all .5 trillion dollars of them

But, Mom! replied: "I buy American and am PROUD of it!"

netnew replied: "Not true ! spend a lot for fighting !"

gry w replied: "i think you left out the amount we spend on tanks, planes, bombs,and all that good stuff that is there to insure you get a good nights sleep"

rhsaunders replied: "I am perfectly happy to buy Chinese tools, Japanese cars, and French wines as long as the people in those countries are willing to accept little green pieces of paper in exchange. We sell lots of product abroad, so trade is hardly one-sided, and trade benefits the participants: if it did not, there would not be trade. Marx's biggest error was failing to recognize the value created by trade."

sobefobik replied: "So you're saying that because we buy foreign cars the US is in debt? If that is true then why did we for a short time while Clinton was president start climbing out of our debt? I won't buy an american car because they're junk."

moonbaby279 replied: "It's also cause by people who dislike our government and move away with their savings."

prancingmonkey replied: "Um, as for the made in china toys ~ US companies make BIG bucks outsourcing to china to take advantage of slave labor. If not, those goods would cost perhaps 300 % what they do now! Furthermore, our administrations make it VERY easy for cheap and UNFAIR trade deals to exist. These leaders have also held corporate alliances much higher than the alliance with the common people. You might want to do some homework and look at the big picture."

royphil345 replied: "We need to have laws or taxes against TREASONOUS business practices, both selling and buying. "We" don't because it benefits the "elite". Our national security is an absolute joke due to all the money and technology we ship out to potential enemies. The MAJORITY of Americans ARE NOT being represented by "their" government officials. Compensation decreases as hours worked increase. More than one family income necessary becoming the norm. The best interest of the nation is being ignored by a disgustingly corrupt corporate-controlled government. THAT'S the problem. Blaming the American public for this treason is ignorant. THEY'RE SUFFERING from this and it's getting worse all the time."

shelleigh replied: "i really dont think that is a true statement i am a proud american i would purchase an american car if it was a good investment i need a car that is going to last i have had in past an american car and it didnt last more than 4-5 yrs it was a piece of junk beside i really doubt by buying american products we are going to get out of debt we are in debt due war and terrorist cost"

smack replied: "the debt is caused and perpetuated by the federal reserve period .. you are wrong. and ur wrong about the amount also .... educate urself"

arily666 replied: "Ive never been one to blame the gov for my problems...there are far too many Freudian projections and mental transfers as it is......but thanks for the info I would not have imagined maybe we should have assisting legislation to inform consumers"

Schona replied: "1/2 a trill. A spit in the bucket compared to the 9 trillion, oops 81/2 trillion $$ Bush has wasted, no lined his and his cronies pockets with. Monday morning Dubya is going to authorize an emergency spending bill for the war on terror which will bring the total to 469 billion $$. This happens while at the same time there is supposedly no money to clean up our own states devastated by hurricane Katrina, or helping those who lost loved ones on 9/11, or helping those who suffer with illness by being exposed to carcinogens trying to save peoples lives. How about the administration that cuts funding to cover the veterans who have fought in past wars, or the ones presently protecting our freedom? All this to keep the war machine running. Shameful."

frida_pie replied: "what total bullshit. americans have been buying foreign goods for years, and we weren't in debt this much before Bush became president. it's the war that's caused us to go into debt, smart guy. you don't have to be a nuclear, or as Bush would say, "nukelar," physicist to figure that out."

inzaratha replied: "Wow, great question, someone who knows what he is talking about!!!!!!! Most people on here don't realize this."

chaddukes replied: "Thats an overly simplistic take on the whole situation. Its true that the deficit is more a talking point than something that has an impact on our daily lives, and its true that it is linked to GDP. But the international market has made it so that buying any product puts money into the hands of multiple countries. Japanese cars are sold, repaired, built here my american business men. American products are built, and serviced in other countries as well as our own. And people don't drive cadillacs and corvettes because they can't afford them....Toyotas are cheaper and break down less. Its the pwer of the global market."

How long until other nations say "NO MORE" to paying our government's debt? ........by buying our treasury bills.

pdooma replied: "When we start defaulting."

Phronsie replied: "When they do, maybe we could call in all the loans we've made to other countries over the last 200+ years. And all the catastrophic aid. And the Marshall Plan, etc. etc. etc....."

Paul Grass replied: "Some already are! Soon to follow China then what will 0bama do"

miles from nowhere! replied: "about the time some other very, very rich so called rock star tells the President to forgive their debt to the US."

Professional Organizer replied: "No one can honestly answer cause we don't have a Chrysal ball but the better question is what will we do then....we will have to do what people are doing who are being told NO by thier credit card companies...but this is different so I can say SOON but I want to know then what?"

quipman replied: "It will take a while because so many nations are dependent on U.S. consumers buying power and our governments military protection."

SAVE OUR FARMS replied: "We should get Israel to buy treasury bills and quit paying their bills. $60 billion a year, food, water, medicine and weapons to kill babies with is too much. We could use that money right about now."

Love Canada. replied: "It's an investment they hope will pay off"