[DesertRhino]

GNP is everything in America. 3.7 trillion is our national income. That is what is received at the treasury from taxes and fees.
In a very real sense, THAT is the government’s paycheck into the checking account, so to speak. And cast against that is the government’s debt which will soon be pushing against 34 trillion.

GNP means very little against that. Except that trying to strip mine it will immediately reduce those profit making activities.

[econjack]

$3.7 trillion is not national income. GDP is $21.6 trillion, and is the standard measure of national income and you need to keep the two straight. I agree that we cannot continue to spend the way we are, nor does the Socialists attitude of shifting the tax burden on the "rich" provide a solution. They are the ones who keep this economic engine moving. This idolizing the poor makes no sense. How many of you were hired by a poor person? Every able bodied person in this country should be a contributor. The solution is reduced spending and stop trying to buy votes with everything from free cell phones to open boarders.