[simon says what]

That information is truly irrelevant when you consider that our net worth has increased by $30 trillion since 1980, which is more than the previous 200 years combined. Now, tell me again why the household debt ratio today is bad. LOL

So it is not just irrelevant but truly irrelevant... hmmmm. Ok, why is it truly irrelevant that a greater percentage of our income is going to service are household debt ? Assets do not service debt. Income services debt.

[Toddsterpatriot]

Assets do not service debt. Income services debt.

Assets don't provide income? Maybe you're holding the wrong stocks?

Am I better off with $30,000 in debt and $100,000 in assets or $60,000 in debt and $150,000 in assets?

[Mase]

Ok, why is it truly irrelevant that a greater percentage of our income is going to service are household debt ?

Interest rates are low and people are taking advantage of it. Home ownership is at an all time high. Is that good? Credit card debt only increased by 4% according to the Forbes link. Stephen Moore says our ratio of debt to assets is only 18.3%. Doesn't sound like a lot to me and he's not alarmed so I'm go with his assessment rather than yours.

Assets do not service debt. Income services debt

I own many assets that generate income. Does that count if I use it to pay off my debt?

[expat_panama]

...our net worth has increased by $30 trillion since 1980, which is more than the previous 200 years combined. Now, tell me again why the household debt ratio today is bad. LOL..

How about two reasons why. 

One is that you're not looking at all the latest figures on household debt.  It's up from '04 but down since 9/11.   The reason it's up slightly is because we're richer.

The other is that this means we can afford to buy more things.   The household debt has become a lot easier for us richer Americans to handle than before. 

Sure, America bashers can't stop making up lies about our credit scores, but the lenders make a living at this sort of thing and they don't listen to Pat.

Delinquency rates are down.