OutOfHere 4 weeks ago

All debt, whether public or private that is not paid off by the same generation is a scam on the next generation and beyond, a very unfair one. For this reason, debts shouldn't be allowed to exist for more than thirty years, and should not be allowed to be paid off by a new debt. So what should happen if a debt is not paid off in this time? It should be subject to foreclosure and/or bankruptcy proceedings, irrespective of whether the borrowers want to continue with the debt.

  • bryanlarsen 4 weeks ago

    All money is debt. Do you want an economy without money?

    • greyface- 4 weeks ago

      > All money is debt.

      This is true for currently popular monies, but is not inherently true. Is a gold coin a debt instrument?

      • Eddy_Viscosity2 4 weeks ago

        > Is a gold coin a debt instrument?

        It is if you lend or borrow it or use it as collateral.

        • OutOfHere 4 weeks ago

          So no, not all gold coins are debt.

          • Eddy_Viscosity2 4 weeks ago

            Or yes, some gold coins are debt.

            • M95D 3 weeks ago

              Forbid the "yes", keep the "no".

    • OutOfHere 4 weeks ago

      That's nonsense; it is obsolete government propaganda. Just the type of money that you are shamelessly used to is debt based. Money rooted in precious metals, also some cryptocurrencies, is in no way debt based. And yes I can spend them.

  • senectus1 4 weeks ago

    paying off with new debt is paying off... Debt cycling and consolidation is absolutely a valid way to handle your debt.

    • OutOfHere 4 weeks ago

      It's legally valid, but it carries with it all the problems of long term debt, which is the point. There is a reason why one can't pay off a credit card with another credit card.

      • senectus1 4 weeks ago

        in the corporate space this is super common and makes a lot of sense.. you sell debt at one rate, find a better rate deal that lets you pay it off later and trade one less favorable debt for the new better terms debt.

        the company I work for has always done this very successfully.. is now a multi billion dollar multi national.

        • OutOfHere 4 weeks ago

          Yes, debt refinancing is common for corporations. It doesn't however excuse an indefinite debt. I maintain that a debt held for more than a generation (30 years) is a forecast sign of failure to come.

  • uticus 4 weeks ago

    So, obviously a contentious subject. But I appreciate the link for the government's official view (at this time) if for nothing else.

    And it's not just a quick one-liner, there's a lot of detail here.

valleyer 4 weeks ago

> How do you make a contribution to reduce the debt?

Hilarious.

  • uticus 4 weeks ago

    I haven't contributed, but this is what first drew me to the page: the 1040 instructions [0] on pg.82 has "How Do You Make a Gift To Reduce Debt Held By the Public?" and I was intrigued enough to read the details, which contain the link in the OP.

    [0] https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040gi.pdf