this post was submitted on 15 Dec 2025
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Explain Like I'm Five

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ELI5 the US debt/budget and how come it seems like I give you 10 dollars and I get two back? I just don't get how its not a regular checking acount situation? How can we be trillions in debt? (lemmy.world)
submitted 3 days ago by Patnou@lemmy.world to c/explainlikeimfive@lemmy.world
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[–] jacksilver@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago

I mean, the government could run at a surplus and therefore not need to borrow money and start paying back the loans.

Its not really a ponzi scheme, but more that the US government has decided that it'd rather increase its debt rather than reduce spending.

As to OPs question. I think he's referring to taxes and government benefits, but is discounting the fact that taxes are not the only source of money for the government, through bonds the government accrues debts that can exceed the amount collected in taxes.