ECON National Debt tops $40 Trillion

THE DNC/DSA & SPENDING...
thelmaandlouise-vintage.gif

This is their ANSWER...
EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.

NEW: Fox’s Trace Gallagher CALLS OUT Gavin Newsom for “finally committing to… making sure illegal immigrants get universal healthcare.”

“The way we fix this is to raise taxes again on everybody?!”

Over half the country will pay NOTHING for the healthcare, leaving you and I paying outrageous taxes for those who don't work.

You forgot it will add 60-80tln in debt if they get their way.

Accelerating the Collapse is the well planned feature, not a bug.

(They'll) never let a crisis (of their making) go to waste.

Nobody is asking what Democrats will replace the dollar with once they've successfully destroyed it.

danielboon said:
The mark comes soon
Click to expand...

RT 1min
https://twitter.com/x/status/2090752173155975448
View: https://twitter.com/ClintLong2003/status/2090752173155975448
 
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Things are getting worse…

Fannie Mae Hit by Turmoil in Senior Ranks as at Least 10 Executives Depart​

The departures are raising concerns about stability inside the government mortgage giant​

By

Rebecca Picciotto
,

Gina Heeb
and

Brian Schwartz
Aug. 21, 2026 at 1:55 pm ET

At least 10 high-ranking officials are leaving Fannie Mae, raising concerns about more turmoil at one of the firms that back major portions of the mortgage market, according to people familiar with the matter.




The rest is behind a paywall.
 
Hfcomms said:
Things are getting worse…

Fannie Mae Hit by Turmoil in Senior Ranks as at Least 10 Executives Depart​

The departures are raising concerns about stability inside the government mortgage giant​

By

Rebecca Picciotto
,

Gina Heeb
and

Brian Schwartz
Aug. 21, 2026 at 1:55 pm ET

At least 10 high-ranking officials are leaving Fannie Mae, raising concerns about more turmoil at one of the firms that back major portions of the mortgage market, according to people familiar with the matter.




The rest is behind a paywall.
Click to expand...
Ten year 4.739...up



...
 
All yields are up today. The 1 month is higher than when this all began.

www.cnbc.com

US Markets

Up to date market data and stock market news is available online. View US market headlines and market charts. Get the latest economy news, markets in our Market Overview.
www.cnbc.com www.cnbc.com

Treasurys​

SYMBOLYIELDCHANGE
US 1-MO3.706+0.008
US 3-MO3.808+0.011
US 6-MO3.919+0.012
US 1-YR4.023+0.036
US 2-YR4.232+0.047
US 10-YR4.734+0.036
US 30-YR5.272+0.035
 
https://twitter.com/x/status/2090891704991629410
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Though the U.S. national debt officially surpassed $40 trillion this week, Congress was quick to assure Americans that the issue could be easily fixed by spending more money.

Concerns have grown over the nation's accelerating rate of accumulating debt, which sat at $19 trillion just 10 years ago. Members of Congress sought to allay those fears by explaining to the public that there was a plan to spend a bunch of money to fix everything.

"It's just like in poker: you've got to bet chips to win chips," explained House Speaker Mike Johnson. "I'm kidding, I've never played poker. Gambling is a sin. Anyhow, we have worked with our Senate counterparts to create a bill that will fix the national debt by spending $17 trillion more dollars. It's a foolproof plan."

Some economists argued that spending more money could actually increase the national debt, but Congress has flatly rejected such claims. "The only way to get out of debt is to get into more debt. It's simple math," said Senator Tammy Baldwin. "If it doesn't work, there's an easy solution: spend even more money. Eventually, it has to fix things."

At publishing time, Congress had unveiled the text of the Making Our Money Outpace National Expenditures Yearly (MOMONEY) Act.
 
Here is the problem, and why there is no solution.

The war didn't cause this, but it is bringing it forward.

Oil prices are significantly higher in Japan as they are totally dependent on imports from the middle east. This has resulted in the first tangible increase in inflation Japan has experienced in 40 years. They have began raising interest rates that in turn has caused the Yen Carry trade to reverse. As that unwinds, Yen are flowing back into Japan to repay the loans on that end of the Carry trade resulting in a drop in currency value versus the dollar.

Now we have added a currency crisis. The US has been assisting the Japanese central bank in buying Yen to support it vs. the dollar. This was to prevent the Japanese from selling their US Treasuries and driving up yields on our bonds. It didn't work and the Yen has been rising back towards 160 to the dollar.

Bessent then tried an "operation twist" where he sold short term bills in order to finance the repurchase of longer duration bonds to keep the exploding financing of the national debt (1.3 trillion annually). This lasted for less than 24 hours with US treasury bond yields rising again.

This has a knock on effect, especially with the "Mag 7" who have raised 3 Trillion of debt (and an additional 1.2 Trillion or so every quarter). As Treasuries rise--these are considered "risk free" and will cause the demanded return on corporate bonds to be significantly higher. The pool of cash is shrinking and this will result in the AI bubble popping and market crash. The only way to delay--it can't be stopped--is to devalue the value of the dollar. This is why gold and silver are headed back up (and why reserves globally are now into gold instead of UST holdings). This also squeezes the American consumer who already suffering with inflation will see the situation materially worsening--and putting more pressure on Trump via the midterms. Iran would very much like the democrats to take back the house and senate. A large portion of the republican base would join forces to kneecap the administration.

So--the Fed has lost control of the bond market. Japan has lost control of their currency. AI bubble is popping. Oil is rising and with it the cost of diesel and gas. The war was to stop a nuclear iran, yet they still have enriched uranium and ability to produce more at pickaxe mountain with the only option to deal with it being land war or nuclear weapons, and this after the program was "decimated" last year and at the start of this campaign. We "control" hormuz, but the cost of oil and refined products would be evidence otherwise. Countries are now diversifying from holding UST and instead buying large amounts of gold. The US could be severely damaged by China stopping rare earth supply exacerbating the popping AI bubble. Weapon stores are becoming more drained and will place a legitimate question as to the ability to fight off a second front in Europe or Taiwan. Cost of living is raging domestically. Trump is in serious trouble in the midterms as his approval worsens week by week as all of these issues go unresolved.
 
rondaben said:
The US could be severely damaged by China stopping rare earth supply exacerbating the popping AI bubble. Weapon stores are becoming more drained and will place a legitimate question as to the ability to fight off a second front in Europe or Taiwan. Cost of living is raging domestically.
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At least we have overpriced and expensive healthcare, being paid by and funded by the taxpayers in the country, right?

So, we're saved... right?

Medicare and Medicaid Spending Overview​

In fiscal year 2024, Medicare spending reached $1.1 trillion and Medicaid spending totaled $949.2 billion. Together, these programs account for a significant portion of U.S. health care expenditures.

Key Points​

  • Medicare spending reached $1.1 trillion in FY 2024.
  • Medicaid spending totaled $949.2 billion in the same fiscal year.
  • Together, these two programs represent a substantial portion of U.S. health care expenditures, highlighting their importance in the overall health care system.
KFF Congressional Budget Office
 
King Samson said:
At least we have overpriced and expensive healthcare, being paid by and funded by the taxpayers in the country, right?

So, we're saved... right?

Medicare and Medicaid Spending Overview​

In fiscal year 2024, Medicare spending reached $1.1 trillion and Medicaid spending totaled $949.2 billion. Together, these programs account for a significant portion of U.S. health care expenditures.

Key Points​

  • Medicare spending reached $1.1 trillion in FY 2024.
  • Medicaid spending totaled $949.2 billion in the same fiscal year.
  • Together, these two programs represent a substantial portion of U.S. health care expenditures, highlighting their importance in the overall health care system.
KFF Congressional Budget Office
Click to expand...
Yes, and its been that way for a long, long time.
 
Hognutz said:
Ground Beef is going parabolic.

Forget about stocks or crypto.

Just stack cows.
Click to expand...

West said:
Right.

Used to be called the poor man's meat.
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So, beef is up a few bucks per pound in the last 5 years??

How's that affect the budget?

Average Ground Beef Consumption​

The average family consumes approximately 1 to 1.5 pounds (16 to 24 ounces) of ground beef each week. This amount can vary based on several factors, including portion sizes and the frequency of meals that include ground beef.

wildcountrymeats.com European Union

1787351635760.png
 
rondaben said:
There is no job security. In any of it. Medicine has been a business built on profit by the few in administration.

And has absolutely nothing to do with anything I posted. Nice try to reach for anything you can to try to play a "gotcha". About as mature as any of us expect from you anymore.
Click to expand...
It has a LOT to do with what you posted. You're worrying about the cost of living domestically, and the national debt, then the country spending around 1/3 of the budget on crazy healthcare expenses, should be the FIRST thing you'd want to cut.

Why is the number one reason for filing bankruptcy, medical debt?
 
King Samson said:
It has a LOT to do with what you posted. You're worrying about the cost of living domestically, and the national debt, then the country spending around 1/3 of the budget on crazy healthcare expenses, should be the FIRST thing you'd want to cut.

Why is the number one reason for filing bankruptcy, medical debt?
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You should. And Defense. And Social Security.

But it won't happen. You don't get elected doing that. And you certainly won't do it by adding 6 billion in new debt daily.

How much do you want to cut Medicaid/Medicare, Defense, and Social Security by? What percentage?
 
King Samson said:
So, beef is up a few bucks per pound in the last 5 years??

How's that affect the budget?

Average Ground Beef Consumption​

The average family consumes approximately 1 to 1.5 pounds (16 to 24 ounces) of ground beef each week. This amount can vary based on several factors, including portion sizes and the frequency of meals that include ground beef.

wildcountrymeats.com European Union

View attachment 617429
Click to expand...
Obviously, you have never had to feed a family of three average on $20 +- a week. Granted for me this was in the 80s. After rent and bills we was lucky to have $20-+ a week for food in our budget.

A dozen eggs, a pound of burger, bacon, beans, a few pounds of potatoes, rice, flour, noodles, milk, sugar, bread, peanut butter , and jelly or juice if we can afford it. $20 back then got much of the above.

And we had ways to stretch that pound of burger for at least three meals.

Your pretty care free with other peoples budgets. Thinking a few extra bucke here and there isn't a big deal. To some it really is.

And I know that many on this board, every extra dollar really does count. And with beef being so high, it now a luxury to many.

Hamburger use to be the poor man's beef. Your old enough to know that.

Sad
 
King Samson said:
So, beef is up a few bucks per pound in the last 5 years??

How's that affect the budget?

Average Ground Beef Consumption​

The average family consumes approximately 1 to 1.5 pounds (16 to 24 ounces) of ground beef each week. This amount can vary based on several factors, including portion sizes and the frequency of meals that include ground beef.

wildcountrymeats.com European Union

View attachment 617429
Click to expand...
Add in utilities, taxes, other food, gas, etc, etc….

I know plenty of people when it’s all added together it’s a big deal….
 
West said:
Granted for me this was in the 80s.
Click to expand...
We were discussing ground beef prices TODAY, in 2026, not in the 80's.

But, since you brought it up, I've posted this before, from my area:

1974 Ground beef, $1 a pound, minimum wage $1.75 an hour, so 1.75 lbs for an hour of work.
2025 Ground beef, $6.90 a pound, minimum wage $15.00 an hour, so 2 lbs for an hour of work.

West said:
Hamburger use to be the poor man's beef. Your old enough to know that.
Click to expand...
Looks like it still is.

1787366573211.png
 
Hognutz said:
Add in utilities, taxes, other food, gas, etc, etc….

I know plenty of people when it’s all added together it’s a big deal….
Click to expand...
Seriously, if spending an extra $2 - $3 a WEEK now, or $8 - $12 a MONTH, for ground beef versus 5 years ago, really hurts someone's monthly budget, I think there are serious other issues that need to be looked at.

Average monthly household budget​

The average US household spends approximately $6,440 per month ($77,280 per year) in 2026, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey data adjusted for inflation.

Spending varies dramatically by household size, income, and region.
  • A single-person urban household averages around $4,800/month.
  • A family of four in a major metro averages $8,500+/month.
spew.money

Average American Household Monthly Budget (2026)

The average US household spends $6,440 per month across housing, transportation, food, healthcare, and other categories. Complete 2026 breakdown with regional data.
spew.money spew.money
 

Dalio Says Sell Bonds, Buy Gold, Bitcoin as Debt Crisis Looms​


https:%2F%2Fmedia.zenfs.com%2Fen%2Fbloomberg_holding_pen_162%2F7ac9813f5429725ac149f507106df1cb.jpg


(Bloomberg) -- Billionaire Ray Dalio said investors should reduce their bond holdings and put as much as 15% of their money in gold to hedge against the risk of a US debt crisis that he warns could be just three years away.

In a LinkedIn post Friday, the Bridgewater Associates founder said investors should diversify across assets and countries with strong finances. Underweighting bonds and holding about 10% to 15% of a portfolio in gold and "a bit" of Bitcoin could both reduce risk and boost returns, said Dalio, who has long warned about the dangers of mounting government debt.

His comments come at a time when long-term Treasury yields have risen to multiyear highs and Japan, America's largest foreign creditor, has sold US bonds to support the yen. To stem the bond rout, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent this week announced plans to boost buybacks of long-dated debt, a surprise move that so far has provided little more than short-term support.

The latest developments are consistent with the debt-cycle framework Dalio outlined in his book "How Countries Go Broke: The Big Cycle," he wrote. Rising debt-service costs eventually collide with insufficient investor demand, he said, forcing governments to accept higher interest rates or central banks to print money to buy debt, weakening currencies and fueling inflation along the way.


Dalio estimates US government revenue at about $5.5 trillion this year against $7.5 trillion in spending, leaving a $2 trillion shortfall. Interest costs alone will be around $1 trillion this year, while about $10 trillion of debt needs to be refinanced.

Without a change in course, a US debt crisis could arrive "in three years, give or take two," Dalio said. He advocates reducing the budget deficit to 3% of gross domestic product, from the current level of about 6%, through a combination of spending cuts, higher tax revenue and lower interest rates.

Dalio said similar fiscal strains are confronting countries including the UK, China and Japan.

That is why "I expect non-government-produced monies like gold and Bitcoin to do relatively well," he wrote.

Gold jumped to the highest since May on Friday while Bitcoin topped $77,000, heading for its biggest weekly rally since 2023.


finance.yahoo.com

Dalio Says Sell Bonds, Buy Gold, Bitcoin as Debt Crisis Looms

Billionaire Ray Dalio said investors should reduce their bond holdings and put as much as 15% of their money in gold to hedge against the risk of a US debt crisis that he warns could be just three years away.
finance.yahoo.com finance.yahoo.com
 
At some point there will be a violent government retraction. And by painful I mean jobs will be cut with no warning or recourse. Initially we will see a big push against expats. Any money in retirement does not leave the states from the feds. But we will also see a big military reduction abroad.
 
If beef wasn't subsidies by the EBT system it would probably be way less, for the working poor who dont use EBT.

Just saying.

Also just searched what the total yearly sales of beef/hamburger from EBT/SNAP was.

Looked for a while, no go. I'm sure the beef industry has the numbers and hides them. But did find that beef is the number 3 thing mostly bought by EBT/SNAP benefits.

WAG is about $30 billion a year is the subsidies amount the government pays the meat markets in EBT/SNAP sales.

Being last year there was over $100 billion in benefits giving out.
 
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I knew that there would be some that would say the debt means nothing, its old news, nobody cares etc...

I also knew there would be those brain trusts that will downplay it and even go as far as to make excuses for it and do mental gymnastics to pretend it isn't that bad.

I never thought those that have such inane reasonings ( I use the reason word loosely) would continue to double down on stupid but they never cease to amaze me with the herculean efforts to surpass even government stupidity.

This has been fun to watch...in a sick twisted way.

This is modern monetary theory sickness with cheerleaders ...it astounds even the most jaded.

Good job idiots.
 
Henry Bowman said:

US National Debt Tops $40 Trillion​



Debt held by the public stands at about $32.3 trillion, or 101% of GDP, according to government data. That compares with just 31.5% of GDP in 2001, after four consecutive years of federal budget surpluses.


The dramatic increase in debt to reach the milestone of $40 trillion reflects more than two decades of wars, tax cuts, and economic crises.
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Tax cuts have for the most part increased revenue over and over again. As people are freed from the oppressive taxation by the government they have invested and prospered. Thus increasing the actual revenue for the government

The problem is not as the author indicated but rather the ongoing need for politicians to buy votes and over spend.

Time and time again.
 
et2 said:
Maybe we need Bill Clinton … he was the last to balance the federal budget.

The last national debt being zero briefly was Andrew Jackson in 1835 … 191 years ago.

Doesn’t seem anyone takes it seriously
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He was President and thus gets credit for it. Yet It was Newt G who actually forced it upon him.
 
et2 said:
The public …especially Demonrats don’t care about it … as long as the free shit flows.

Just try to stop it. Political suicide, grift screeches to a halt , NGO funds dry up. Never happen by modern political standards
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Yes and it will work until someone begins to refuse US Dollars for a domestic purchase. Insisting on something more solid like "copper/silver" or a chicken. Then others will do the same. Then the fun begins.
 
Groucho said:
I'm not advocating this, just wondering.
What if the U.S. quietly and quickly bought up thousands of tons of gold, told whoever we owed the interest to, xin-loi we're on the gold standard now and the old currency is defunct, dead and gone. It's worth less than the Zimbabwe dollars were.

Eh, probably start world war one hundred eleven (WW III).

Boy, would heads explode all over the world and here.
Click to expand...
My question is whether or not there is enough gold to do so....
 
Greatgrandad said:
AI generated:

$40 trillion is a number so vast it exceeds the combined worth of every single-family home in the United States. If stacked in $1 bills, the pile would stretch all the way around the sun, while a stack of $100 bills would fill more than 37 NFL stadiums to the brim.

Economic Scale represents the debt as roughly $117,000 for every man, woman, and child in America, or over $300,000 per household.

Visual Comparisons help illustrate the magnitude of this milestone:
  • Cash Stacks: $1 trillion in $100 bills stands 631 miles high; $40 trillion would be 25,240 miles high.
View attachment 617256

View attachment 617255
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I think the entire world economy is only $ 70 trillion
 
West said:
Obviously, you have never had to feed a family of three average on $20 +- a week. Granted for me this was in the 80s. After rent and bills we was lucky to have $20-+ a week for food in our budget.

A dozen eggs, a pound of burger, bacon, beans, a few pounds of potatoes, rice, flour, noodles, milk, sugar, bread, peanut butter , and jelly or juice if we can afford it. $20 back then got much of the above.

And we had ways to stretch that pound of burger for at least three meals.

Your pretty care free with other peoples budgets. Thinking a few extra bucke here and there isn't a big deal. To some it really is.

And I know that many on this board, every extra dollar really does count. And with beef being so high, it now a luxury to many.

Hamburger use to be the poor man's beef. Your old enough to know that.

Sad
Click to expand...
Beef has always been a luxury...... it was just a bit more affordable in the US than elsewhere.

Even now it is the same.

I am lucky if I get something beef once every other week.
 
20Gauge said:
Beef has always been a luxury...... it was just a bit more affordable in the US than elsewhere.

Even now it is the same.

I am lucky if I get something beef once every other week.
Click to expand...
Wait a minute,

Aren't you a rich independent individual- business owner?

You should be eating steak at least twice a week, like our destitute EBT friends.

JK
 
It's amazing on some people jump liked trained sheep, from outrage to outrage, led by the MSM each week, by the ring in their noses. They have to be told what to be outraged about, this week.

Does anyone have critical thinking skills anymore?? When will people wake up, and STOP being Pawns for the MSM??

Look at the recent "manufactured outrages" recently:

Flock cameras
MTG and Tucker
Fauci
Data Centers
Strait of Hormuz shutdown
Gas price per gallon
Iran winning
Ground beef

And THIS week, the national debt:

Fed debt.jpg
 
20Gauge said:
Beef has always been a luxury...... it was just a bit more affordable in the US than elsewhere.
Click to expand...
And WHY is it less affordable now??

Hint: It's not because of Trump or his idea to import more ground beef for a short timeline. Fact is, we ALREADY import it, we're just going to bring in more, to HELP Americans.

What's the REAL reason for high beef prices, you ask? What happens when inventory and availability of an item shrinks?? Yep, you guessed it, the price goes up!

U.S. Cattle Inventory Hits 75-Year Low at 86.2 Million Head​

USDA’s annual report reveals the smallest total herd since 1951, with beef cow numbers falling to 27.6 million despite a slight uptick in replacement heifers.​

1787412190410.png

As of Jan. 1, 2026, the U.S. beef cattle herd stands at 86.2 million head, continuing a downward trend. Despite a year of strong prices, USDA’s annual Cattle Inventory Report released Friday shows the U.S. cattle inventory shrank another 0.35% and now sits at its smallest size in 75 years.

“I would say the story continues,” summarizes Derrell Peel, extension livestock marketing specialist from Oklahoma State University. “I mean, it really doesn’t change the pattern that we’ve been in for the last three years now.”

Outlook: What Will Cattle and Beef Prices Do in 2026?​

Peel predicts the small calf crop and tightening feeder supplies will push prices even higher.

“We’ve got record-high prices, and we’re going to see them push even higher for cattle and beef,” Peel says.

 
King Samson said:
And WHY is it less affordable now??

Hint: It's not because of Trump or his idea to import more ground beef for a short timeline. Fact is, we ALREADY import it, we're just going to bring in more, to HELP Americans.

What's the REAL reason for high beef prices, you ask? What happens when inventory and availability of an item shrinks?? Yep, you guessed it, the price goes up!

U.S. Cattle Inventory Hits 75-Year Low at 86.2 Million Head​

USDA’s annual report reveals the smallest total herd since 1951, with beef cow numbers falling to 27.6 million despite a slight uptick in replacement heifers.​

View attachment 617507

As of Jan. 1, 2026, the U.S. beef cattle herd stands at 86.2 million head, continuing a downward trend. Despite a year of strong prices, USDA’s annual Cattle Inventory Report released Friday shows the U.S. cattle inventory shrank another 0.35% and now sits at its smallest size in 75 years.

“I would say the story continues,” summarizes Derrell Peel, extension livestock marketing specialist from Oklahoma State University. “I mean, it really doesn’t change the pattern that we’ve been in for the last three years now.”

Outlook: What Will Cattle and Beef Prices Do in 2026?​

Peel predicts the small calf crop and tightening feeder supplies will push prices even higher.

“We’ve got record-high prices, and we’re going to see them push even higher for cattle and beef,” Peel says.

Click to expand...
Not arguing a bit about the ups and downs of beef prices.

My contention is that we in the good old USA have access to more meat than the rest of the world combined, but even with that, beef has always been expensive.

That is why hamburger helper was so popular 30 years ago.
That is why we ate the passenger pigeon to extinction, ( it was the original chicken )
That is why we eat so much chicken.

Do I think having our cattle populations depleted to be a bad thing? Sure do! It will most likely last for a decade as it takes a long time to replace or increase cattle populations.

Lastly, whole countries are based upon the growing and selling their beef to the USA because we can afford the prices even though they are silly high right now.

Lastly lastly, this too will pass.
 
West said:
Wait a minute,

Aren't you a rich independent individual- business owner?

You should be eating steak at least twice a week, like our destitute EBT friends.

JK
Click to expand...
I am not. Yes I own a business and are doing decently, but not well enough to splurge on such things.....

For a fun fact..... good your wealth as a percentage against the rest of the world and then against the USA..... it is scary....
 
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