> Last time we reduced the annual deficit to zero, the usual debt hawks all reversed their position and said "this is terrible". (Side: You’re likely referring

> Last time we reduced the annual deficit to zero, the usual debt hawks all reversed their position and said "this is terrible". (Side: You’re likely referring to the 90s during Clinton’s administration) Reducing the deficit to 0 barely means anything when the overall debt is high. Besides, for your family example, it’s all well and good but families do not have to be concerned about the valuation of an international currency that they’re basing their borrowing off of.