Quote from DrPepper:
I realize that this letter is likely a hoax, but it was interesting. Like the author of the letter, I have been wondering how the US can possibly get out of the current financial predicament given the fact that our current national debt and unfunded future liabilities (social security, medicare, etc.) are literally unpayable.
I had not previously considered his conclusion that the only solution to the current financial crisis is a complete restructuring with a debt for equity swap. Short of default and war, I agree that his solution makes a lot of sense. I just wonder how a debt for equity swap would be structured? For example, what equity would we give to China in exchange for our financial debt to them? We do not own enough gold to pay off our debts. Would we give them millions of acres of national parks or government buildings? What assets does the US government own that could be swapped for our debt to foreign countries?