Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO) - The National Debt

[Rhiannon12866]

The national debt has long been portrayed as a burden we’re placing on future generations. John Oliver discusses how national debt works, why people are so concerned about it, and why it might be more helpful that you think.

[TexasTowelie]

1. Of course the national debt is only an issue when the Republicans are no longer in power.

When the GOP is in office, they spend like a drunken sailor who just arrived back in port.

Now to watch the video.

[Rhiannon12866]

2. Which party is in power seems to be at the heart of the issue - who knew??

[LetMyPeopleVote]

3. Oliver did a good job on this topic

[tclambert]

4. Republicans complain about the debt in order to manipulate Democrats.

When we have a Republican President and Democrats complain about the debt, Republicans just shrug. When Democrats are in power, then Republicans complain, because they know Democrats actually do care about the debt. They know if they bring it up enough, Democrats will start to feel guilty about the debt, and may take actions to address it, actions that will sabotage the Democratic agenda, and maybe sabotage the economy.

Democrats have proven manipulable precisely because they DO CARE. Republicans have jettisoned caring, but they recognize the value of pretending to care as a way to manipulate Democrats.

[burrowowl]

5. K&R