Both Republicans and Democrats are right and wrong when it comes to "Debt"...nobody talks about this.Debt is a serious problem...and the number of middle class, working class, poor and young people who are indebted to a bank, a private insurance company,etc. is high and terrible - and is unprecedted in history. Many Americans will become servants, slaves and poor in two generations because of this. The Debt is not a joke. And in some way countries that have lent huge amounts of money to America should worry! America goes to war with countries that have nothing to do with national security or terror with impunity...you think the US will not go to war with another country over debt. There are rumors that Japan's earthquake and tsunami was caused by US bombs under water. Japan holds more than 2 billion dollars in American debt and had wanted the military base to leave. These may be just rumors...but where is this coming from?

On the other hand if the debt ceiling is not raised then the US ranking will fall. While some people may not like that, some do not care. Those who do not care have the attitude..come whay may..and they have weapons.

The world is stupid enough (my wife would hate me using this term) to continue to be awed by this country...even Republicans and Democrats treat each other and their own American people with contempt or condescension.

Your interviewer is right...the problem is serious, is going to get worse or it will be stalemate for a while. All scenarios are serious and bad.

America had no debt up until 1973....and even while in debt America had only 2 billion dollars in debt ten years ago. All this increase is serious. It is not just military spending. It is all this subprime mortgage, housing bubble, etc. So sad!