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1. Top 5 Economic Issues:  · Unemployment  · Inflation  · Credit  · Public Debt  · Social Security funding  http://www.gongol.com/research/economics/economicthreatlist/fivethreats 2. Main Economic Issue: Public Debt; Federal Deficit  3. The Federal debt was caused by the government cutting taxes and increasing spending or in other words, the government’s continuous federal deficits. The economy and voters benefited from deficit spending. Usually, however, holders of the debt want larger interest payments to compensate for what they perceive as an increasing risk that they won't be repaid. This added interest payment expense usually forces a government to keep debt within reasonable limits. The U.S., however, has been the beneficiary of two unusual factors. The Social Security Trust Fund took in more revenue through payroll taxes leveraged on Baby Boomers than it needed. The Fund was "loaned" to the government to finance increased deficit spending. This interest-free loan helped keep Treasury Bond interest rates low, allowing more debt financing. However, it's not really a loan, since it can only be repaid by increased taxes when the Boomers do retire. Also, foreign countries increased their holdings of Treasury Bonds as a safe haven, also keeping interest rates low. http://useconomy.about.com/od/fiscalpolicy/p/US_Debt.htm
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