How much longer can the American government borrow large amounts of money as it does?

Question

The Chinese have a trillion dollar surplus. I would think that with such a rich, powerful and honest nation as the U.S. that they would exceed their budget surplus manifold.

Answer 1

Contrary to popular belief, most of the U.S. debt is held within the U.S.
And it is getting to the $9 trillion dollar range.
Ironically, it is the republican governments of Ronald Reagan and George Bush 43, who have spent the most.
Ironic, because republicans are supposed to be fiscally conservative.
I have no idea (and frankly I don't know who does), as to how long the government can borrow money.
It's a good question/topic. It should be a top and ongoing news story and topic of discussion.
But it is not.

There doesn't seem to be a strategy in place. There doesn't seem to be, in my opinion, any ideas in how to deal with it.
When I do see or hear comments, they are partisan. People on the right say they can't raise the minimum wage or provide health care, or raise taxes.

People on the left say they have to stop the military spending and handing out tax cuts to the wealthy.

I think the gov't continues to borrow money because it is easy to borrow money. And it is rarely if ever an election issue.
I would think they would stop when there is some sort of 'crash' when it simply becomes difficult or impossible to borrow the way they are now.

Answer 2

What country buys the most Chinese exports? Here's a clue, it's not Iraq! China has a surplus because Americans want a cheap product! Instead of buying American made products(and paying more money for it), they will buy the cheapest one. You get what you pay for! Buy American, then we will have a surplus and China will have a deficit.

Answer 3

We can continue to finance our government spending for as long as the China's of this world see fit to buy our securities. China will be the economic super power of this world within 25 years or less. The guys who mentioned China's surplus and our willingness to buy foreign made goods is "spot on". We do these things to ourselves. And if the Democrats take office it will get worse. They will spend more money then ever and cripple the economy thru higher taxes. We won't be able to afford American goods and foreign product will look better and better. Unions and minimum wage advocates will drive the little guy here out of existence.

Answer 4

I think I could answer this if you rephrased it to: How much longer can the American government afford to give money to other countries? We bomb em costing billions, then we rebuild them costing billions, makes no sense to me. There are people here with no insurance and sadly some also with no food.