The national debt was a $5 trillion in 2000, and now, as of January 2024 , it is $33.9 trillion. That is 33.9 followed by 12 zeroes!

During that period there were both Republican and Democratic presidents — Bush, Obama, Trump and Biden. So, despite the commonly held view that Republicans are fiscal conservatives and Democrats big spenders, either way you go, the U.S. finds itself in the same bind.

The problem is not all that complicated. The U.S. consumes more than it produces and prefers to borrow money rather than earn it. Try that as an individual or family and see where you end up. So far, the U.S. has never defaulted on its debt, but at the present rate of borrowing, it could very well happen.

Leonard Cohen

Northampton