The United States just crossed $38 trillion in debt. Trillion — with a “T.”
That’s a number so big it’s almost impossible to imagine.
So picture it this way: every single American’s share of that bill is more than $110,000.
If you actually pay taxes, your share jumps to over $328,000.
We’re Paying for Washington’s Bad Habits
Here in Nevada, we feel the ripple effects of Washington’s spending spree just like everyone else.
When the federal government borrows this much money, it drives up interest rates.
That means your mortgage, your car loan, even your small-business line of credit can cost more.
And while we’re paying more, the government is spending more – not on defense, not on schools, but on interest payments.
Yep, Washington now spends more just paying off the debt than it does keeping America safe.
How We Got Here
This didn’t happen overnight.
Politicians have been promising “free” programs for decades, from Washington to Carson City.
They love cutting ribbons and sending out checks because it makes people happy in the short term.
But as Veronique de Rugy, an economist at Reason magazine, explained, “Politicians concluded that they could borrow endlessly without suffering political consequences.”
The Federal Reserve made it easy by keeping interest rates low and printing money to cover the tab.
It was like giving Washington an open bar with no bartender. Now the hangover’s here.
Interest costs have shot from about $370 billion a few years ago to nearly $1 trillion today.
Spending, Not Taxes, Is the Problem
Don’t let anyone tell you the government just needs more money.
Washington’s already pulling in a record $5.2 trillion in taxes this year – more than double what it collected in 2012.
The problem isn’t the revenue. It’s the reckless spending.
You can’t fix a hoarding problem by buying a bigger house.
You fix it by stopping the junk from piling up – and throwing some of it out.
Don’t Say You Weren’t Warned
Conservatives – from groups like Nevada Policy to think tanks like the Heritage Foundation – have been warning about this for years.
If we don’t rein in spending now, future generations will be buried under it.
It’s not about cutting everything. It’s about focusing on what really matters: protecting the country, securing the border, helping local communities thrive, and keeping taxes low so small businesses in places like Las Vegas, Elko, and Pahrump can grow.
What Needs to Happen
Here’s the short version:
-
Stop the overspending. Washington has to live within its means, just like the rest of us.
-
Cut waste. Stop funding pet projects and corporate giveaways that don’t help taxpayers.
-
Grow the economy. Get government out of the way so jobs and businesses can flourish.
-
Be honest. Tell voters the truth – we can’t borrow our way to prosperity.
It’s Time to Clean House
The national debt might seem like some far-off problem in Washington, but it’s not.
It hits Nevada families every time the grocery bill goes up or a loan payment rises.
If we want a strong future – one built on freedom, opportunity, and personal responsibility – then it’s time to clean house.
Because sooner or later, the hoarder in our national basement is going to run out of rooms.
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Nevada News & Views. Digital technology was used in the research, writing, and production of this article. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
