by DantesPeak » Sun 14 Sep 2008, 23:03:34
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('ColossalContrarian', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('TheDoctor', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Tapas', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('shortonoil', 'I')n taking over F&F the US government blew up its debt by $5.3 trillion. That pushed the US debt level to almost the GDP of the country. Once the US goes over that GDP number, most likely it will lose its AAA credit rating. It has already been warned by the BIS.
If the US, which holds the world’s reserve currency, loses is pristine credit rating the whole world falls apart! Insurance, pension funds, the dollar, the whole shebang goes!
Thanks
shortonoil. You have explained the crux of the problem! It's a tailspin from here.
According to the
CIA Factbook the GDP of the USA was $13.84 Trillion (2007 estimate).
Our National Debt with the inclusion of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac now exceeds our GDP.
We are toast

I just love this "F&F takeover = $5 trillion more government debt" being tauted at so many doomer sites. Things are bad, but not that bad, at least not yet. F&F are no where near completely insolvent. They have some of the better quality mortgage debt out there. They will not likely cost the taxpayers anywhere near $5T, and certainly their takeover has not cost that yet, so the National Debt does NOT yet exceed GDP. The USD has a bit more life left in her.
).