[JauntTrooper]

The US debt-to-GDP ratio is 104%, which is high by historic standards, but no cause for alarm. Japan is at 226%, the UK is at 88%, Germany is at 75%, and China is at 41%.

Last year, interest payments on the national debt were 6% of our budget and only 1.3% of GDP -- a near record low.

And the US only has to pay interest of 2.2% a year on 30-year bonds. If average inflation over the next 30 years is greater than 2.2%, then the US will actual gain money in real terms for every dollar it borrows.

As you stated, the US has ample ability to service its debt; the 2011 S&P debt downgrade was due to questions on Congress' willingness to pay it.