10 Sobering Facts About the National Debt

5. Kicking the Can down the Road

In order to start paying off our debt, spending would need to be reined in and politicians would have to be honest with Americans about the financial realities our government faces. Cutting people’s benefits or jobs, even if the cuts don’t take effect immediately, is not popular. So popular elections provide incentive for politicians to not address these problems. It’s easy to keep handing out money and let future generations deal with the fallout.