National Debt as Percent of GDP

[rnatalli]

View attachment 7485

It always helps me to look at a version of the graph above. Just thought I'd share.

 

[just listening]

That graph provides fuel to both parties for various time periods. I do find it fascinating that Warren Buffet's proclamation that last fall's crash was an ecomomic Pearl Harbor matches up with the Dec. 7 attacks and the massive spending that followed.

 

[Adam]

Very interesting. Thanks for the info!

 

[Tomorrow]

View attachment 7485

It always helps me to look at a version of the graph above.

What does it help you do?

Here's an interesting view of our politico-economy....
The U.S. buys oil from Saudi Arabia (at roughly 8 times what it would cost the U.S. to drill it's own). It sends the Saudis the money...which it then borrows back...which it then again pays back...with interest. It's sort of an interesting Mobius symmetry, don't you think?

 

[lsiberian]

What does it help you do?

Here's an interesting view of our politico-economy....
The U.S. buys oil from Saudi Arabia (at roughly 8 times what it would cost the U.S. to drill it's own). It sends the Saudis the money...which it then borrows back...which it then again pays back...with interest. It's sort of an interesting Mobius symmetry, don't you think?

That's sounds bogus.

Still I'd rather save our oil for when the wells dry up.

 

[Tomorrow]

That's sounds bogus.

What part?

The U.S. oil price controls are typically ~$20/bbl (sales price...not drilling cost). The Middle East conflicts artificially drove prices to ~$160, although cheaper now.

Saudi Arabia is one of our largest creditors. By the way, the U.S. went from the largest creditor nation in the world to the largest debtor nation in about 30 years. This tag team of Bush/Obama have been trying their best to make sure that we maintain that distinction.

 

[MDS]

By the way, the U.S. went from the largest creditor nation in the world to the largest debtor nation in about 30 years. This tag team of Bush/Obama have been trying their best to make sure that we maintain that distinction.

Not only that but the largest debtor nation in the history of the world.

With regard to oil, every presidential candidate or president over the last thirty years have given lip service to reducing our dependence on foreign oil. We had an opportunity to stockpile oil in the late '90s when oil had fallen to $10 and the government was flush with extra tax receipts from taxes on capital gains from the biggest stock market bubble in the history of the world. But what did they do? The usual - project the surplus into infinity and carry on business as usual and use the 'extra' cash to increase spending even more.

What's really interesting is that Congress is filled with highly educated and highly experienced people and yet when it comes to matters of finance the whole lot of them is dumb as a brick.

 

[Tomorrow]

Not only that but the largest debtor nation in the history of the world.

With regard to oil, every presidential candidate or president over the last thirty years have given lip service to reducing our dependence on foreign oil. We had an opportunity to stockpile oil in the late '90s when oil had fallen to $10 and the government was flush with extra tax receipts from taxes on capital gains from the biggest stock market bubble in the history of the world. But what did they do? The usual - project the surplus into infinity and carry on business as usual and use the 'extra' cash to increase spending even more.

What's really interesting is that Congress is filled with highly educated and highly experienced people and yet when it comes to matters of finance the whole lot of them is dumb as a brick.

On the money, MDS.

I'd only add that I wonder if the folks in congress aren't into the power, influence, and wallet padding of the special interest people that actually finance election campaigns. Which means it's not you or me they're beholding to with their legislation.

 

[Nemo128]

Here's an interesting view of our politico-economy....
The U.S. buys oil from Saudi Arabia (at roughly 8 times what it would cost the U.S. to drill it's own). It sends the Saudis the money...which it then borrows back...which it then again pays back...with interest. It's sort of an interesting Mobius symmetry, don't you think?

So true. Aramco, formelry American Arabian Oil Company, was for decades and still is at the core of that. Once they got full stake in 88 and we were out, this was bound to happen. Just a matter of time.

 

[jwhitakr]

View attachment 7485

It always helps me to look at a version of the graph above. Just thought I'd share.

Thanks for sharing. It'll be interesting to see this again in a couple of years after all of the recent spending for the stimulus package, health care reform, etc. really takes hold. I'm not too optimistic about the results