US deficit, debt means reduced lifestyles | Financial Awakenings

“Any way you slice the pie, Americans better come to grips with the fact their lifestyles are going to contract.” That’s the bottom line I’ve gleaned from attending several conferences and listening to some of the nation’s top economists recently.

Basically, the US is spending far more than it takes in via tax revenues, creating an annual deficit. The shortfall is covered by borrowing the money, which adds to the national debt. The Treasury Department borrows the money from two sources: private investors (individuals, banks, companies, and other governments) and the Federal Reserve Bank.

Where does the Federal Reserve get money? They create it with a keystroke, which is the digital-age equivalent of printing money.

via Rick Kahler: US deficit, debt means reduced lifestyles | Financial Awakenings.