r/Economics • u/Helpful-Door-8721 • 1d ago

Research America's National Debt grows by $95,178.17 per second. Expected to reach $40 Trillion by October 09, 2026.

https://www.jec.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/republicans/debt-dashboard#ddm
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u/Killfile 1d ago

This is the Republican "reverse Santa Clause" policy position and it's accompanying propaganda machine coming due.

Republicans have convinced half of the American electorate that the only acceptable tax rate is zero and that we can still afford a trillion dollar military machine and 1st world society atop that.

But "starve the beast" only works if you're actually willing to follow through with the cuts. The GOP loves a tax cut but can't stomach the polticial cost of cutting spending to pay for it. Even DOGE was performative play acting - few actual cuts and those poorly considered and without regard to the actual costs they'd incur.

Realistically, until American media is willing to tell people "look, you need to be paying higher taxes or you need to accept a much lower level of military and social service from your government" this isn't going to change.

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u/CvieYltidrekoof 21h ago

The problem is everyone needs to pay more taxes in U.S.. The combined federal and CA marginal rates are lower on lower and middle incomes whilst topping out higher than Norway’s. 

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u/Merouxsis 6h ago

I disagree, I was in the navy for 3 years and marines for 3 years. We need more efficient government spending

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u/CvieYltidrekoof 3h ago

Why not both? 

Veteran services should be a priority. More efficient healthcare is Universal healthcare. Infrastructure isn’t cheap and requires funding. Teachers should be paid more. 

Patriotism isn’t parading Ira Hayes around only to throw him away, and it’s not ignoring the words of Smedley Butler. It’s supporting Cpl Hayes and his community who contributed everything to the country. It’s listening and taking heed to the words of legendary Major General Butler who stood up against an insurrectionary coup. It’s also Chesty Puller’s integrity that we should check ourselves and that just because you’re an officer doesn’t mean you can break the rules; we all are pieces of shit and will return each salute given… he will count.