I've been reading about the resistance to raising the National Debt Ceiling and logically the entire idea of a ceiling is a bit puzzling. Of course, I understand why there needs to be restraint in terms of borrowing, but Geithner is predicting a national catastrophe if the Debt Ceiling isn't raised by March 31st. He implies that the Treasury would have to default on its obligations if the debt ceiling isn't raised.
And earlier in the week, White House economic advisor Austan Goolsbee said, "If we hit the debt ceiling, that's ... essentially defaulting on our obligations, which is totally unprecedented in American history," he said. "The impact on the economy would be catastrophic...I don't see why anybody's talking about playing chicken with the debt ceiling," Goolsbee said. "If we get to the point where you've damaged the full faith and credit of the United States, that would be the first default in history caused purely by insanity."
I was under the impression that Treasury Bonds had virtually no credit risk. Yet, suddenly the Treasury would have to default on its obligations because the votes aren't there in Congress? If the entire economy and full faith and credit of the US Government depends on the House of Representatives voting to raise the debt ceiling, why do we even have a debt ceiling if we have to get Congress to raise it to survive?
Why is there a National Debt Ceiling?
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Why is there a National Debt Ceiling?
Last edited by Gumby on Thu Jan 06, 2011 9:17 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Nothing I say should be construed as advice or expertise. I am only sharing opinions which may or may not be applicable in any given case.
Re: Why is there a National Debt Ceiling?
An Austrian would say that we have to let the economy collapse, otherwise, God forbid, the economy might collapse.
A Keynesian would say that we must preserve the economy, otherwise who's going to dig those ditches... and that's not even getting to the trouble of filling them back in. WE MUST SPEND.
I'm obviously torn on my macroeconomic opinion..
A Keynesian would say that we must preserve the economy, otherwise who's going to dig those ditches... and that's not even getting to the trouble of filling them back in. WE MUST SPEND.
I'm obviously torn on my macroeconomic opinion..
"Men did not make the earth. It is the value of the improvements only, and not the earth itself, that is individual property. Every proprietor owes to the community a ground rent for the land which he holds."
- Thomas Paine
- Thomas Paine
Re: Why is there a National Debt Ceiling?
It's just political theater.
Q: “Do you have funny shaped balloons?”
A: “Not unless round is funny.”
A: “Not unless round is funny.”
Re: Why is there a National Debt Ceiling?
More like political theater with a loaded gun. :-\MediumTex wrote:It's just political theater.
Nothing I say should be construed as advice or expertise. I am only sharing opinions which may or may not be applicable in any given case.
Re: Why is there a National Debt Ceiling?
This supposed ceiling is hit every few years. And every few years they raise it. Just ignore this stuff. Issues like this is why we hold gold in the portfolio just in case.