| Gross Federal Debt | Debt Held by Public | |
| FY 2013* | $17.5 trillion | $10.6 trillion |
| FY 2012* | $16.4 trillion | $9.7 trillion |
| FY 2011 | $14.8 trillion | $8.5 trillion |
| FY 2010 | $13.5 trillion | $8.2 trillion |
| FY 2009 | $11.9 trillion | $6.8 trillion |
| FY 2008 | $10.0 trillion | $5.3 trillion |
I agree that those debt numbers should resonate with people... but they don`t. The average American can`t grasp why it affects his/her ability to access entertainment, food, beer, tattoos and cigarettes.