As soon as we start paying down the debt, without a strong manufacturing base to keep the economy going, things will get rough. There is no responsible paying down the debt while continuously increasing it, and paying foreign countries to make our stuff, which also gives them pricing control. It's a very complex issue that does not have a simple solution. Every way to stop the debt will be painful. Government hasn't been fiscally responsible for over half a century, along with being beholden to international bankers and foreign governments that hold our debt. I hope it changes without pain. i don't believe it will.