Ideally zero. Deficit spending is really only excusable when it is being spent on investments that will offset the future cost. Otherwise it is simply impoveri

Ideally zero. Deficit spending is really only excusable when it is being spent on investments that will offset the future cost. Otherwise it is simply impoverishing future generations to benefit voters today, often enriching a small subset. By way of example, going into debt get an education or buy a tractor might make sense. Going into debt to throw a party doesn't, especially when you plan to stick the cosigners with it. In 2024 federal debt interest was 1.1 Trillion, with 4.9 trillion taxes, that is about 22% of revenue. Most of that interest goes into the pocket of wealthy US and foreign lenders.