Further down on this page, I offer more evidence, including the estimate regarding the size of the off-budget debt (Social Security, Medicare, Federal pensions), which is approaching $72 trillion. But first, watch the video of David Walker, Comptroller General of the United States, which aired on CBS's "Sixty Minutes" on January 16, 2008. Exactly one month later, he announced his resignation. He will head up a newly organized foundation designed to sound a warning on America's looming bankruptcy.
On October 20, 2005, the on-budget debt of the United States Government went over $8 trillion. This is an increase of well over $2 trillion since January, 2001.
In 2007, it went over $9 trillion.
In addition, the total unfunded government debt, which includes Social Security, Medicare, and Federal pensions (off-budget), is approaching $72 trillion. (See Table 2).
The on-budget debt is bad enough. You can see its growth in two charts: total debt and per capita debt. They are here
On the yearly growth of this debt, 1791-2007, see the official numbers here.
For any year, or range of years, 1993-present, use the Treasury's software here.
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On what this icon
means, and how it
can help you, click here