The US has effectively defaulted, twice, since 1932. Once when gold was outlawed in 1933, and again when Nixon closed the gold window. Assuming you count the

The US has effectively defaulted, twice, since 1932. Once when gold was outlawed in 1933, and again when Nixon closed the gold window. Assuming you count the current economic problems as a fiat/currency crisis, it was a period of 35-40 years - 1933 to 1971 is 38 years, 1971 to 2009 is 38 years. That is a lot less time than a civilization declining or the sun burning out.