Who is owed the United States' debt?
January 22, 2004 8:13 PM Subscribe
Who is owed the United States' debt?
The short answer is those entities which own United States Treasury-issued bonds and securities. A longer answer is here.
And, on preview, rudyfink has linked to a still longer answer.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 8:32 PM on January 22, 2004
And, on preview, rudyfink has linked to a still longer answer.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 8:32 PM on January 22, 2004
I just looked on google:
Google
and on the first page that came up is this:
debt clock
posted by j at 8:34 PM on January 22, 2004
and on the first page that came up is this:
debt clock
posted by j at 8:34 PM on January 22, 2004
U.S. Treasury Debt online page
Not sure what happened with that link the first time.
posted by rudyfink at 10:16 PM on January 22, 2004
Not sure what happened with that link the first time.
posted by rudyfink at 10:16 PM on January 22, 2004
A related question that I've wondered about recently. When politicians talk about forgiving a country's debt. Does that mean that the banks that hold the debt are strongarmed into giving on the money or does the government reimburse the banks. As an example, who was owed Iraq's debt and who ended getting paid or not paid when France, Germany, and the United States forgave portions of their debt?
posted by rdr at 10:40 PM on January 22, 2004
posted by rdr at 10:40 PM on January 22, 2004
who was owed Iraq's debt and who ended getting paid or not paid when France, Germany, and the United States forgave portions of their debt?
Though not all of it, a lot of the "debt" that France, Germany and Russia has with Iraq was really unfulfilled contracts (oil, construction).. that since the contracts would not be fulfilled there would be a penalty for breaking the contract... so there was really no actual "debt" in some cases...
posted by Steve_at_Linnwood at 12:18 AM on January 23, 2004
Though not all of it, a lot of the "debt" that France, Germany and Russia has with Iraq was really unfulfilled contracts (oil, construction).. that since the contracts would not be fulfilled there would be a penalty for breaking the contract... so there was really no actual "debt" in some cases...
posted by Steve_at_Linnwood at 12:18 AM on January 23, 2004
China is a heavy investor in US Treasury bonds and has significant American currency reserves.
posted by mookieproof at 7:53 AM on January 23, 2004
posted by mookieproof at 7:53 AM on January 23, 2004
From http://www.publicdebt.treas.gov/opd/opdfaq.htm#opdfaq33:
How do you make a contribution to reduce the debt?
Please follow these important steps to make a contribution to reduce the debt.
Make check payable to the "Bureau of the Public Debt"
In the memo section of the check, make sure you write "Gift to reduce the Debt Held by the Public "
Mail check to -
ATTN DEPT G
BUREAU OF THE PUBLIC DEBT
P O BOX 2188
PARKERSBURG, WV 26106-2188
posted by blindcarboncopy at 10:53 AM on January 23, 2004 [1 favorite]
How do you make a contribution to reduce the debt?
Please follow these important steps to make a contribution to reduce the debt.
Make check payable to the "Bureau of the Public Debt"
In the memo section of the check, make sure you write "Gift to reduce the Debt Held by the Public "
Mail check to -
ATTN DEPT G
BUREAU OF THE PUBLIC DEBT
P O BOX 2188
PARKERSBURG, WV 26106-2188
posted by blindcarboncopy at 10:53 AM on January 23, 2004 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
From that page under "who holds the debt":
Who holds it
Explanation of terms used in the above
posted by rudyfink at 8:30 PM on January 22, 2004