Introduction
If I look too long at the high ceiling (surrounding and above the tower in the photograph), I start to get dizzy. I'll stop looking and continue to write now.
The media were a buzz on 1/19/2023. They are still buzzing. Aside from the buzzing about the insecure southern border, President Biden's classified documents, former President Trump's classified documents, and ad nauseam, this spin is about the Ununited Socialist States of America (USSA) debt ceiling. One of several sources is “House conservative leader rips media for ‘irrational’ debt ceiling coverage, vows ‘serious fiscal reform.’” Fox News, by Peter Kasperowicz, 1/19/2023. The article states in part:
The U.S. hit the debt ceiling on Thursday, which means the government cannot borrow anything above the $31.381 trillion it has borrowed so far. House Republicans have said they would require deep spending cuts as a condition for raising the ceiling, but the Biden administration has said it will not negotiate.
The USSA reached its dizzyingly high debt ceiling limit on Thursday, 1/19/2023. As an aside, on that same day, Dolly Pardon turned 77 years young. Happy belated birthday, Dolly!
I am a practical man who thinks logically. This article places the USSA debt ceiling buzz in the context of recent household income and expenses for Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and me. Do we raise our debt ceiling, increase our income, or lower our spending?
Every member of Congress needs to read this article, which is published as sage advice as a public service announcement. What should we (as a household and as a nation) do? The conclusion answers the question.
Raise the Debt Ceiling?
Household: My wife and I still have a mortgage debt. It is the only debt that we have. Our household income is sufficient to meet household expenses with a sufficient surplus. Our surplus, built up in savings over several years, could pay off our mortgage debt and leave a lower surplus. This is not bragging. It is God's grace, our health, and our work ethic.
If, God forbid, our household debt were to increase above our combined annual income or our surplus due to an unexpected and large expense, we would have to either spend down our surplus or borrow money (at interest with monthly payments). If, God forbid, that should occur, we would develop a plan to pay off the new debt.
In short, we might have to raise our debt ceiling temporarily. Further, we would plan, Lord willing, to reduce our debt. Finally, we would not continue to raise our debt ceiling, which would be irrational.
USSA: The Fox News article, cited in the introduction, states that the debt ceiling is 31.381 trillion dollars. That's $31,381,000,000,000.
How many times has Congress raised the debt ceiling? The official answer is available at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Debt Limit:
Since 1960, Congress has acted 78 separate times to permanently raise, temporarily extend, or revise the definition of the debt limit—49 times under Republican presidents and 29 times under Democratic presidents. Congressional leaders in both parties have recognized that this is necessary.
Necessary? Really? Yes, both parties are at fault, especially Democrats—as a study of congressional debt ceiling votes by party since 1960 will surely prove. Presidents can't raise the debt limit.
Born in 1960, I am 62 years young. I have not needed to raise my debt ceiling limit 1.25 times a year for each year of my life. I have never had that kind of income versus spending problem. Dad taught me that money doesn't grow on trees. You have to make it to spend it. Don't spend more than you make. If you need to borrow, get out of debt as fast as you can.
The “guvrmint,” however, has had to raise its debt ceiling limit 1.25 times a year for each year from 1960 to 2022–62 years. It has a definite income versus spending problem. The “guvrmint” must think that money grows on trees—or is devalued, causing inflation, by printing more almost worthless Monopoly money.
In short, the “guvrmint” must stop raising its debt ceiling and devise a plan to reduce its debt.
Increase Income?
Household: We have sufficient income for manageable expenses. I draw retirement income. My wife, bless her heart, is <deleted by Mrs. Appalachian Irishman> years younger than me, so she must work for another year or so. By God's grace and our wisdom, we manage the best that we can to keep expenses below our income.
If our household expenses at some point require additional income, I could find a part-time job. I know how much the “socialist insecurity administration” states that I could earn without reducing the amount of money that they owe me on a monthly basis. At this point, I have toyed with attempts to find the right part-time job, but I haven't found a position that would serve my interests. I could become less picky, if inflation continues to be so uncontrolled.
USSA: The “guvrmint” has sufficient income but unmanageable expenses. The Fiscal Data on Treasury.gov section is “How much revenue has the U.S. government collected this year?” (Note: Scroll down to the “Federal Revenue Overview” segment.)
That segment states that in fiscal year 2022 the USSA “guvrmint” collected $4.90 trillion ($4,900,000,000,000) in revenue. It spent $6.27 trillion ($6,270,000,000,000). The deficit, thus, was $1.37 trillion ($1,370,000,000,000). Note that it reports a $1.38 trillion deficit, but $1.37 trillion is correct according to math.
Isn't $4.90 trillion ($4,900,000,000,000) in revenue enough? The “guvrmint” may try to increase taxes. Wisdom dictates, however, that it must control and reduce its runaway spending! This leads to the next question.
Lower Spending?
Household: My wife and I are thrifty. We don't just “blow money.” We limit our so-called “discretionary” spending.
Unfortunately, runaway inflation (caused by federal spending) forces us to pay more for groceries, utilities, gasoline, household supplies, home and vehicle maintenance, and so forth. We track and budget our costs. My article from 9/2/2022 was a snapshot on how grocery costs have increased.
In a recent ten-day period (1/11/2023-1/20/2023, Wednesday through Friday), we endured a “perfect storm” of expenses. On 1/11/2023, my wife had her six-month dental cleaning, which we knew was coming up. Later, on 1/12/2023, we had to replace our garbage disposal, which we didn't expect. Also, on 1/17/2023, my wife had a follow-up dental appointment, which we didn't anticipate. Further, on 1/19/2023, our propane tank was filled, which we would rather have put off until next month. Finally, on 1/20/2023, Molly (our “old puppy”) had her dental cleaning, which we were expecting. Interestingly, Molly's dental cleaning cost the same as my wife's! In that ten-day period, we had to spend over $2,200.
Up next, we know that our 2012 Nissan Sentra needs new struts, estimated at about $1,100 in total cost for parts and labor. Property tax must be paid before 2/28/2023. Thankfully, we have managed, and we should be able to manage those expenses. Our surplus, however, will be lowered at least for a while.
In this period of inflation, we are unable to lower total spending. We, however, reduce costs by dining out rarely and by not “blowing money.” By God's grace, we will survive. Jesus' words, in Matthew 6:25-34, assure us.
USSA: The “guvrmint,” in contrast, is not thrifty. It, apparently, spends money like a drunken sailor, with an apology to all sailors. Yes, certain outlays are necessary. Others are certainly not. I could unpack my thoughts on necessary versus wasteful spending, but I will not take the time to do so in this article. Anyone with any fiscal common sense should know what I am thinking.
Any “guvrmint” that has had to raise its debt ceiling limit 1.25 times a year, every year, from 1960 to 2022 has an obsessive spending problem! That's what our “guvrmint” has been doing.
My article from 1/11/2021 cited a credible source, which indicated that in 2014 the “guvrmint” started spending more than it brought in. Could you imagine spending more than your income for nine inclusive years in a row? That's what our “guvrmint” has been doing under different presidents and congresses.
The “guvrmint” needs to remove some “piglets” that are sucking on the “tits.”
Conclusion
Searching this website for “debt” finds the following six articles in chronological order. This is my seventh article on the subject of national debt.
“ELIMENTRY” LESSONS for the “GUVERMINT EDUKATED, SO$IALIST” FOLK (published 2-24-2013; updated 8-28-2022). The article notes that the 2012 national debt was $16.6 trillion and change. Of the six articles, this one is my favorite.
Sunday, 5/2/2021: Poly-ticks Smorgasbord Catch-Up (#2)
An Invitation to the First President of the USSA to “Show Me the Money” Tree (published 5-22-2021)
PRESIDENT BIDEN'S REPLY TO MY LETTER – Over a Year Late (published 7-27-2022; article #341)
STAGFLATION & MONEY TREE: “Engine Air Intake Hose” Story (published 8-28-2022; article #350)
Should the USSA raise the debt ceiling? No! If the house is full of garbage spending, raising the roof will only add more garbage spending. Instead, haul off some garbage spending.
Should the USSA increase income? No! Who wants to pay Uncle Sam more to feed his addiction to reckless spending? Uncle Sam needs to undergo rehabilitation for reckless spending.
Should the USSA lower spending? Absolutely! Remember, the national debt is available on at least three websites: Fiscal Data on Treasury.gov, an official website of the U.S. government (Total Public Debt Outstanding); USA Debt Clock; and US Debt Clock—which also records debt per citizen ($94,200 debt per citizen as of 1/23/2023, 2:45 PM).
I can't look up at a high ceiling for too long without getting dizzy. Further, I can't watch the numbers increase by the second on USA Debt Clock and US Debt Clock without getting dizzy.
Wake up, not woke up, America! Come down from the dizzying heights of spending, which is increasing by the second! My wife and I know how to manage our household budget. Does Congress know how to manage the federal budget?
You are welcome, dear reader, to share this article with anyone—especially with any member of Congress. Those folks need our common-sense advice if they will listen.
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