美国债务陷入危机，前高官建议减少支出，许多公民要遭罪

Core Viewpoint - The U.S. debt crisis has reached a critical point, with public debt nearing 100% of GDP and interest payments consuming a significant portion of federal spending, leading to potential cuts in essential services for citizens [2][4][6]. Group 1: Current Debt Situation - The U.S. public debt now accounts for 99% of GDP, projected to exceed 107% by 2029, marking the highest level since World War II [2]. - Weekly interest payments on the debt exceed $11 billion, representing 15% of the federal budget for the current fiscal year, restricting funds from being allocated to economic recovery and social welfare [2]. Group 2: Historical Context and Structural Issues - Historically, debt expansion in any economy has limits, and exceeding these can lead to market confidence collapse and credit system crises [4]. - The U.S. has maintained its debt expansion due to the dollar's dominance and the perception of U.S. Treasury bonds as safe assets, but this advantage is diminishing [4][6]. Group 3: Economic Growth and Political Challenges - The root of the debt crisis lies in a structurally imbalanced economic growth model reliant on consumer spending and government borrowing, which is unsustainable during economic downturns [6]. - Political short-sightedness prevents necessary structural reforms, leading to an accumulation of debt and an increasingly severe crisis [6][20]. Group 4: Potential Solutions and Their Limitations - Six potential solutions to the debt crisis have been identified, but most are either unrealistic or carry significant costs, leaving only stringent fiscal tightening as a viable option [7]. - Accelerating economic growth is ideal but not feasible under current conditions, while low interest rates are no longer an option due to global inflation pressures [9]. Group 5: Implications of Default and Inflation - Debt default would destroy U.S. creditworthiness and could trigger a global financial crisis, which is unacceptable for the government [11]. - Allowing inflation to reduce the real debt burden would harm ordinary citizens' wealth and exacerbate social inequality, leading to potential unrest [11]. Group 6: Political Stalemate and Future Outlook - The political deadlock between parties hinders the implementation of fiscal tightening, with both sides prioritizing short-term political gains over long-term solutions [15][17]. - A significant fiscal crisis may be necessary to prompt reforms, but this would have severe repercussions for the global economy [19][22].