[rohry]

"A couple years ago the GAO had a report that showed the Federal Debt would indeed be paid down to zero in less than 10 years."

The Fed and the banks don't want the Federal Debt to be paid down. They want the interest on the loans because they never put up any principal. The debt has increased (if you include Social Security and Medicare) every year in the past 20 years (or maybe 30 years) They will not allow the debt to be paid down, silly boy...

[RightWhale]

The Fed and the banks don't want the Federal Debt to be paid down

I'm not conspiracy buff, except for NASA and the lack of a moonbase, but it is possible the Fed acted subconsciously in such a manner as to perpetuate the Federal Debt indefinitely.