The most troubling aspect of the national debt is its rate of growth and the % of GDP it represents. At the current level of ~ $12.9T for 2009, it is expected to be ~ 90% of GDP, and by 2011 is projected to be > 100% of GDP. In fact, the interest paid for the servicing of the debt is itself a significant part of the annual budget, and unless/until the government can control its spending, it will continue to get worse. But, according to the geniuses in the Obama Administration, we are $12T in debt, and more spending is the solution. Isn't that like throwing gasoline on a fire??? When Obama says healthcare won't add to the deficit, which is a lie itself based on overly rosey administration economic forecasts, what he doesn't say is that they will ultimately raise whatever taxes are required to pay for it. But once it is law and the unwashed masses are sucking at the government teat, the government will own them.
