http://www.gao.gov/media/video/fiscal/windows/amfiscal.wmv
This is a video from the head of the government’s accounting office about federal debt and deficits. He seems to conclude that if taxes, government spending and the economy maintain their current course, by 2040 the government will have to spend its entire budget just to pay off interests on its debts. Also LOL at him using the word “sustainable.”
Realizing that his future projection does not account for climate/ecosystem collapse or “peak oil” collapse of the fuel supply, it seems like this is another way the shit could hit the fan in the very near future because those events will surely shorten his time-frame considerably.
Knowing that the fuel economy and a number of ecosystems are on/over the edge already, its interesting to remember that the US government is in a total mess without even bringing those things into the equation.
Cross your fingers!