Someone else agrees with Phil & Stocom (and me):
8March 07 comments by David Walker, comptroller general, Government Accountability Office:
âOur country is now the worldâs largest debtor nation and our mounting debt is undermining* our ability to deal with a range of current and emerging challenges in the 21st century. If we stay on our present path, the
United States faces a prolonged period of debt and decline.â
"Financial burdens caused by entitlements rose from about $20 trillion to $50 trillion over the past six years, equaling
a $440,000 obligation for each American household," Walker said. âIn 2005, personal savings rates dipped to negative numbers for the first time since the Depression. The federal trade deficit hit a record $763 billion in 2006.
The meaning is clear: A crunch is coming,â Walker said.
From:
http://www.fcw.com/article97955-03-16-07-Web
Much more there also, especially how the economics slide threatens US military power.
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*I give a very current example of this, widely commented upon in local Brazilian newspapers:
In the last few years Chavez has given other south and central American counties 6 billion dollars in aid, and will be the main financer of the "Bank of the South" now being created to displace the IMF, which the US basically controls. (Brazil paid off all debts to the IMF last year and will be a minor financer of BoS.)
When GWB was here about 10 days ago, mainly trying to counter Chavezâs growing influence, his main aid offered was: (1)free English lessons for some students in the US & (2)the loan of a hospital ship to teach doctors. - Less teaching than Cuba has done in Africa alone! Cuba has aided Chavez with doctors and equipment to establish free medical centers for all of the population Venezuela , most of who have never before in their lives been seen by a doctor. The newspapers were polite, but the fact that US is overextended and cannot do more was clearly indicated.