[Carry_Okie]

The bonds are not secured and if our gov't defaults then the only thing the creditors can do is stop loaning any more money.

That's the case for American citizens. Treasuries held by foriegn investors are collateralized. I've heard Greenspan himself demand more collateral from Congress, and he specifically mentioned water. The Desertification Treaty passed soon after, by voice vote.

The trade deficit is separate.

I was asked, by sauropod, to explain how bonds, bought with the cash of the trade deficit, were a problem for Americans. So I did.

What's important is whether or not we're getting rich. We are.

We disagree. Some people are getting rich, at the expense of others.

[expat_panama]

Treasuries held by foriegn investors are collateralized. I've heard Greenspan himself demand more collateral from Congress, and he specifically mentioned water.

That sounds absolutely preposterous.   If you have a link on that we'd all be interested.  If you have trouble finding a source, you might want to consider the possibility that you're mistaken.

Some people are getting rich, at the expense of others.

Again, absolutely preposterous.   Over the past year, the total of all the private wealth in the US went from $48 trillion to $52 trillion.   I say that the rich create wealth.  Think for a second.  Let's say that every single penny that us rich guys have was stolen from some poor people.  If you can figure out where the poor people got that $48 trillion that I stole, please tell me where I got the other $4 trillion.

[Toddsterpatriot]

I've heard Greenspan himself demand more collateral from Congress, and he specifically mentioned water. The Desertification Treaty passed soon after, by voice vote.

Was that a voices in your head vote? Or could other people hear it too?