GW Bush deficit wasn’t all that bad until a treason congress was elected in 2006. At that point he had to bribe them to get the Win in Iraq. Reagan had the same problem.
When discussing a 222 trillion dollar debt over some interval of time, you have to also mention some estimate of the US production over the same interval, or you have to discuss the assets. US GDP is about 15 trillion each year, without inflation. US taxation tends to be about 20%, or three trillion a year. If the US is put back onto the path to growth, then we can begin to make progress. If we continue with significant unemployment, then we don’t make progress, and the debts can’t be paid.
The problem is unemployment. If the economy grows, which means that business people have sound money and reasonable expectation that they will make and keep significant profits, then we will grow. Further, so long as we have a stinky economy, the birth rate will slow.
The foolishly high rate of taxation discourages growth, discourages employment, and increases government spending.Further, low birth rates make it more difficult to grow the economy.
The government programs are wasteful and inefficient, and should be reduced. Reducing them will encourage growth, and increase birth rates. Win Win.