This is the important number that gives meaning to the national debt number. It's similar to income versus debt for an individual, the more income you have the

This is the important number that gives meaning to the national debt number. It's similar to income versus debt for an individual, the more income you have the more debt you can service. At about a third over GDP it's a bit high, but not disastrous. And no this 33 trillion will never be 'paid back', instead GDP will grow and make the number insignificant (also inflation), a few decades down the road.