i like that graph, almost all of the debthikes, until 1970 were because of great wars (revolutionary, 1812, civil, WW1, ww2)

Sure I agree with that. Debt by itself isn't a bad thing; it is debt to income that matters.

Although I'm starting to think that maybe the government should have a debt cap that is more restrictive; to avoid them ever really going into debt above the 30-40% mark.

Plus another thing; going into debt when starting a new country is unavoidable. But going into debt when we are as big as we are and have as much income as we do; is totally different thing.

There is no need for the USA to have debt; we should live within our means.

and then reagan got into power in 1980, and everything changed

Technically we didn't borrow that much from the French, we bought arms and used their navy, we actually borrowed Millions from the Dutch.

MrK, in 1971, President Nixon ended the gold standard in the USA; this then allowed the government to print money and increase the debt; while continuing to prop up the markets with inflation.

The 70's were known for rampant inflation; and so will the coming decade.

hmm maybe we did get some money from France, but that didn't turn out too well, I think we got asked to leave at one point, only Franklin got to remain, and then the revolutionaries came to the US, and were paraded around but not terribly liked, and I'm pretty sure the French public killed all the leaders of their revolution anyways

i think it turned out pretty well.

USA USA USA

no haha, i meant france giving us money lol

Yeah dead, mrK I agree. Reagan and Nixon ruined this country in a myriad of ways.

pet peeve: ppl who assume that the word 'myriad' is a noun.

plethora: adj
menagerie: adj
myriad: n

if you want to sound smart by using fancy words, at least know what part of speech they are.