The hottest National Debt Substack posts right now

His policies and reckless behavior are costing ordinary people money and leaving them with less spare cash for small purchases.
He added about $2.25 trillion to the national debt in his first year back, pushing the total toward $39 trillion.
Instead of draining the swamp, his actions have worsened fiscal problems by driving debt increases that outpace past yearly jumps.

The U.S. government's financial obligations are much higher than the commonly cited $37 trillion. When including all liabilities, the total could exceed $151 trillion.
Most of the federal budget now goes toward mandatory spending like Social Security and Medicare, which are facing significant financial issues. These programs are projected to run out of funds as soon as 2033.
Federal debt is rising rapidly and is expected to create a situation where the government has to print more money, which could lead to inflation and economic instability.

Federal spending per person hit about $20,474 in 2025, roughly 98 times the inflation‑adjusted per‑person spending in 1916, and now amounts to nearly a whole four‑person household's pre‑tax income.
Spending has trended steadily upward for a century with big spikes during crises like World War II, the 2008 mortgage crisis, and COVID, and it hasn’t returned to prior lows after those shocks.
Most recent growth is driven by Social Security, Medicare/Medicaid, rising interest costs, and large deficits that require heavy borrowing, so taxpayers face higher obligations and need more transparency and accountability.

The US government prioritizes boosting the military budget over providing assistance to those in need, like restricting access to food stamps for the poor.
US politicians across parties show little concern for the national debt, as evident from the bipartisan agreement to increase the military budget significantly.
The US economic dominance, particularly with the dollar as the global reserve currency, affords it privileges that other nations, especially in the Global South, do not have, allowing the US to handle debt and deficits uniquely.

America's current debt situation is very concerning and lacks sustainable solutions. The debt is projected to keep rising if nothing changes. People need to be aware that just managing the debt isn't enough.
Creating a Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) could help address inefficiencies in government spending. This could potentially free up funds to invest in areas that would promote economic growth.
Governments can use debt to invest in the future, but they must do it wisely. If loans aren't used effectively, it can lead to rising inflation and more problems down the line.

Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Americans are misled about the true depth of the government's financial disorder.
The federal government's actual liabilities are far higher than the reported national debt figures.
Understanding the true national debt would lead to questioning unsustainable social benefits, costly foreign interventions, and big-spending proposals.

Debt-to-GDP ratio in the U.S. has fluctuated over the years, with significant changes under different administrations.
The U.S. could manage its debt by matching program spending to taxes in the future, allowing it to gradually diminish.
The current U.S. deficit is a concern as it exceeds the optimal level, posing a risk for the future due to political and economic factors.

Vivek Ramaswamy proposes a commodity bundle standard for stable prices
He suggests focusing on maintaining stable prices rather than fine-tuning the economy for full employment
Ramaswamy's position on climate change involves questioning the effectiveness of certain policies

The US government is expected to have a $3.5 trillion deficit in 2025, which is the largest peacetime deficit ever. This means spending is much higher than the money coming in.
There is little chance that Congress will cut spending significantly. Most government spending is on essential programs like Social Security and defense, which people don't want to lose.
As the debt grows, it might lead to higher interest rates and economic problems for consumers and businesses, but it seems unlikely that people will support major budget cuts until they feel the impacts more directly.

The national debt is growing at an alarming rate, projected to reach $54 trillion within 10 years, with interest payments set to exceed defense spending.
The Federal Reserve's monetary policy is criticized for contributing to unsustainable debt, with 2020 alone seeing over $3 trillion in printing.
Government spending continues to mask weaknesses in the US economy, with debt growth outpacing GDP growth for multiple quarters, driven by reckless deficit spending.