National Debt Calculator

Did you know that the national debt is so large now, that it doesn't even fit on most calculators.

That's where real estate developer Matt Miles from Colorado made a new one. He was so concerned that people in government and even most Americans had ever seen the number. So he came up with a new calculator.

It's called "Big Red" it actually displays 16 digits. That would be enough to show all the numbers in the national debt, which total nearly $11.8 trillion. Or $11,792,918,170,836,43. This at the start of September.

Miles says the whole point , "is to get people thinking about just how much we owe".

I don't think it takes too much, most people are aware the debt is HUGE!

He wouldn't comment on how much he invested on the project, but did say "the amount fits comfortably on a standard calculator".

If you are interested in getting a "Big Red" calculator, Miles says" the price needs only 4 digits on a calculator". And they are on sale at Amazon.com for $12.99.

If you're interested in some staggering numbers, check out the Treasury Departments national debt page below.

Department

I realize the national debt was huge before Obama took office, and it's even bigger now with all the stimulus packages, two wars still going on, bailing out the auto companies, bailing out wall street, and it goes on and on.

But what about the old saying, "you have to spend money, to make money" does that apply here? And how are we going to pay for all this spending? The dreaded 5 letter word? "TAXES".

President Obama swears up and down he will not raise taxes for any of this including health care reform, he did say those more fortunate enough to be making $250,000 or more a year, (including himself) will be paying more in taxes. Should these people who can weather the instability of the economy pay more, than say the blue collar workers who have given up so much now and have lost there jobs even after giving concessions??

I don't know the answer. All I know is my income is no where near $250,000 a year, so don't be coming to me for any more by way of a tax increase!! Get the heck out of Iraq and Afghanistan. Cost estimates there are $12 billion a month for the war in Iraq, add Afghanistan and it's $16 billion a month. Not to mention the lives lost which are "priceless"!

Those billions would ad up very quickly wouldn't they? And put a much needed dent in the national debt.

We could debate this issue for ever and ever, all I know is you couldn't give me the Presidents job for all the trillions and 16 digit calculators in the world. NO WAY!!