[ContentiousObjector]

What do you think of the national debt?

I like cheese

What?

I said, I like cheese

What does cheese have to do with the national debt?

Nothing

So why are we talking about cheese?

Because I like cheese

The above is a perfect example of a pointless discussion, comparing the national debt to the GDP is like talking about how much you like cheese, it's absolutly irrelevant.

Comparing the national debt or deficit to anything other than government revenue or tresury holding is pointless, unless you happen to favor 100% taxation.

The debt and deficit are absolutly out of control, if Al Gore were in the white house and this was happening every other thread on free republic would be devoted to trashing his irresponsible economic policy.

[Jack Black]

Why? I don't get it. The GDP is approximately the national equivelent of your income. If you were applying for a loan, say of $500,000, you could not answer if that was an outrageous amount. If you income is $250,000 a year it's probably not. If it's on a $40,000 one it might be aproblem. Doesn't debt as a percent of GDP make sense?