So today it was announced that the debt clock has officially ran out of digits to track our national debt. I’ve seen the debt figure before online, but I was astounded to see that each family’s share is currently ~$86k.
The Durst Organization says it plans to update the sign next year by adding two digits. That will make it capable of tracking debt up to a quadrillion dollars.
Now that is surely some positive thinking, setting the clock up for showing a potential a quadrillion dollars worth of debt?! 
The clock was originally created to give the public an idea of where the nation stands, but apparently that is not a large enough issue anymore.
It’s pretty obvious to me from the current debt level, that rather than talking about spending increases for certain programs, what needs to be talked about is spending reductions.
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We just can’t believe amounts like that will get so much bigger. I think gasoline used to be priced something like 87.99 cents per gallon, and then, when prices rose to over $1, the gas stations had to change the signs, as there wasn’t room for enough digits. And what about Motel 6 or Super 8 hotel? Those used to charge $6 and $8 per night, can you imagine?
As for the national debt, wouldn’t it be better to reduce it rather than get a bigger sign? Wow, what a good idea! Maybe we should email the politicians!!!
Muse – Hotels charging single digits for a night sounds incredible! Not to mention cheap gas
It’s really crazy how they think it’s okay to spend more than they take in and never really have any plan for trying to wipe out the deficit. That number just seems to snowball as they years pass, and that’s a very unfortunate thing.
I actually do email GA’s politicians from time to time to give my thoughts on whatever bills are being proposed (most recently the $700B bailout), or to give support on bills that I feel should be passed. As expected though, they always email back with a generic copy-and-paste response.
That’s a huge national debt…what a shame!!!