The Federal Government 's Debt Essay

Overspending is a pertinent problem facing the lawmakers in Congress. In 2012 discretionary spending reached $1.3 trillion and mandatory spending $2 trillion, while only bringing in $2.5 trillion in revenue. Since the turn of the century back in 2000, non-mandatory spending by the government has topped out a whopping $16.1 trillion just in the past 13 years (Boccia, Frasser & Goff 2013). This persistent overspending on programs and services that are not necessary to the functionality of the country is what is causing the deficit to rise year after year. To remedy this issue the government must either increase the revenue it brings in through taxes and trade or reduce the amount of money it spend or perhaps even both. In 2012 thirty-one cents of every dollar that Washington spent was borrowed (Boccia, Frasser & Goff 2013). Most of which went to large programs such as Social Security and Medicare and if these large, growing programs, or just the budget in general, do not undergo financial reform it could spell disaster for the economy and fiscal state of the nation.

Over the four years from 2009-10 to 2012-2013, Labor had met its fiscal rule of keeping the average spending growth rate to less than 2% a year (Musgrave, R. A. n.d). This was the lowest period of spending growth in 23 years, meaning that not enough money was being injected into the circular flow of income. This reduced aggregate demand as consumer spending was low. In order to ensure that key spending was sustainable, structural improvements were required for the 2014-15 Budget. Overall, the Labor government has left a disastrous legacy of high debt for the Liberal government to try and overcome.

They now exhibit a challenge in terms of debt, deficit and surplus. The national debt and deficit possess distinct definitions. The budget is the amount of money that the government works with within a given fiscal year and allocates to the different programs. The deficit is when expenditures exceed revenue and is added to the debt at the end of the year. In the last ten years we have experienced enormous deficits that may communicate to the international community that the United States might have trouble producing a balanced budget. This is an accumulative effect as the national debt is combined with the debt held by federal securities outside and inside the government and the public. Foreign country debt is included in the national debt as of March 8th tops $16 trillion dollars. Debt owed to foreign countries like China and Japan equates to a little over $1.1 trillion. Yet, despite the United States’ owing large amounts we are still considered financially sound because of our credit rating. According to Thompson from CNN Money, the United States’ credit rating is in jeopardy of being downgraded because of a weak debt ceiling (Thompson, 2013). This may increase the risk level of investing in the United States.

interest rates on current debts and an increase in liabilities against the province (Mehta, 2014). In

The recent clash between the president and congress about raising the debt ceiling made the front page on every newspaper throughout the country and generated controversy of unimaginable proportion among the citizens of the United States of America (College for Financial Planning). No macroeconomics issue is more controversial today than the impact of large public debt on the economy and on future generations, but, however, there appears to be a huge disconnect between professional, political leaders, and the ordinary public about the national debt and its impact on the current and future

There is a widespread concern about rising levels of debt. Debt can become disastrous for those who live alone or those families who are already having problems with supporting their family. The people who might be struck by debt, they might have trouble recovering. Debt can cause Americans to lose their homes and stability they need to feed, and shelter their families. Although debt comes upon us Americans quickly, people can see debt as terrible thing to be stuck with. It has many disadvantages that can devastate to people.

Federal debt has been increasing for at least the past ten years. Currently, federal debt is $19,929,184,161,352.13 (Chantrill). The national debt has nearly doubled throughout Obama’s presidency and President elect Trump’s ideas do not look promising for change. It is estimated that Trump’s tax cuts will raise federal debt by $7.2 trillion within the next decade (Mauro). Many debt crises have occurred because of declines in growth. When

Maria comes home one day earlier than usual. Her family, two daughters of age five and eight and a stay-at-home husband, is surprised to see her so early and unexpectedly. The tired look on her face reveals the experience she had at work. She brings out a sluggish smile as her daughters rush up to greet her with their warm embraces, reminding her of the happiness they constantly provide but also saddened by their questionable future. Quietly, she sits down in front of her anxious spouse as he patiently awaits the news, sensing the tension in the air.

Debt.” 21). In other words, at least one-fifth of tax money did not bring US citizens any benefits. Besides, less capital is available for the federal government to invest in the

For most of the United State’s history, the debt has been managed well enough to avoid disaster, after all we’re still using the dollar.

The federal budget is known as the notorious economic tank from which money is distributed to various programs. The money used every fiscal year, which begins October 1st and ends September 30th the next year, belongs to the people. The government raises this money through taxes and they spend it on national defense, Medicare, and social security. The federal budget is an exercise in making choices, and those options will certainly affect individuals living in the U.S. These choices cause debt to pile up on the government, who is struggling to make it disappear. The deficit and debt of a government gauges how well it is being run and how well it has been run in the past. According to The Economist the national debt is the total

While the fear of government default is approaching, there are solutions to this problem. The first is raising the debt ceiling, this avoids default that results in government shutdown and effects state and local government by losing Medicaid, highway construction and lower tax collections (Cooper and Story). The debt ceiling allows Congress the influence over spending

The national deficit in 2015 was $435 billion, which means the U.S. government spent $435 billion more than it brought in. This consistent overspending has led to a debt of over $19 trillion dollars. When pondering these incomprehensible figures it is important to consider the causes that led to this financial dilemma, and the effects such a huge debt will have on society.

Doomsayers have called it potentially one of the largest financial crises in history, while lawmakers have insisted the American government, with the "too big to fail" mentality, will not default. But amidst all the financial and political talk, the very basics of the issue can often be lost.

The federal budget deficit it is an excess government spending on state revenues. And public debt is an aggregate amount of government debt, which is composed of outstanding loans and unpaid interest thereon. U.S. federal expenditures is approximately around 3.5-4 trillion dollars, which includes: defense – $700b, social security – $700b, Medicare and Medicaid – $450b, Interest – $200b, other assistance such as food stamps, unemployment, housing, EITC - $180b, and other non-defense - $600b.