The national debt as a fraction of GDP

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

Comment on this graph. Note that it certainly got much worse since Sept. 30th.

[Ban my account ffs!]

All that graph tells me is that Barack Obama has a responsibility to raise taxes and cut spending where it can be cut to end budget deficits and begin paying down the national debt.

Even if we're paying piddly amounts off, it's still better than constantly accruing more and more debt until the end of time, which it seems we are doing currently.

[Associate Justice PiT]

All that graph tells me is that Barack Obama has a responsibility to raise taxes and cut spending where it can be cut to end budget deficits and begin paying down the national debt.

Even if we're paying piddly amounts off, it's still better than constantly accruing more and more debt until the end of time, which it seems we are doing currently.

     Even if we pay off nothing at all, it is still a much better arrangement than the current one.

[memphis]

Not at all surprising to anybody who has been paying attention.

[Nym90]

All that graph tells me is that Barack Obama has a responsibility to raise taxes and cut spending where it can be cut to end budget deficits and begin paying down the national debt.

Even if we're paying piddly amounts off, it's still better than constantly accruing more and more debt until the end of time, which it seems we are doing currently.

So it doesn't tell you anything about the relative successes or failures of the parties' approaches to economics in terms of true fiscal responsibility?

Now, granted, the sample size is small, but it at the very least puts the burden of proof on those who insist it is meaningless to explain why.

But yes, tax increases for the wealthy as well as ending the war in Iraq would go quite a long way towards budgetary responsibility, and hopefully these will both be accomplished within the next 4 years.

[opebo]

All that graph tells me is that Barack Obama has a responsibility to raise taxes and cut spending where it can be cut to end budget deficits and begin paying down the national debt.

All that graph tells me is that our current debt level is low as a percentage of GDP and that we can borrow a lot more to get ourselves out of the depression - just like we did before.  Hello 90% of GDP!

[Matt Damon™]

that worked real well for 1990s japan

[Bono]

Why not just default and immediately after put the country on a gold standard as a confidence replacing measure?

[Franzl]

delightfully ironic that the party of "fiscal responsibility" has such numbers to show for itself.

[Franzl]

delightfully ironic that the party of "fiscal responsibility" has such numbers to show for itself.

That graph gives a good idea of the last time the Republican Party stood up with its rhetoric.  We've been floating on abortion for the past 30 years.

Which is really depressing. The GOP of Ford, Eisenhower and before was the perfect party for me.

[jamestroll]

delightfully ironic that the party of "fiscal responsibility" has such numbers to show for itself.

That graph gives a good idea of the last time the Republican Party stood up with its rhetoric.  We've been floating on abortion for the past 30 years.

lol gop sucks

[Associate Justice PiT]

delightfully ironic that the party of "fiscal responsibility" has such numbers to show for itself.

That graph gives a good idea of the last time the Republican Party stood up with its rhetoric.  We've been floating on abortion for the past 30 years.

Which is really depressing. The GOP of Ford, Eisenhower and before was the perfect party for me.

     Me too. The emphasis on social fascism in the GOP today is a major part of why I left.

[Ronnie]

Why is everyone basing the GOP off of George Bush?  At least, that's what I'm seeing...

[Associate Justice PiT]

     I wasn't basing it off of Bush, if that's what you're talking about.

[Nixon in '80]

We need to cut spending... rather dramatically.

[Beet]

You must be logged in to read this quote.

1990s Japan didn't have a depression, or have unemployment ever go over 6%. Yes they had slower growth, but they are wealthy enough that it's not critical. I think most American policymakers would jump at a 1990s Japan style situation for the next few years.