After taking one year off to teach “Forums for a Future” as a university 
honors course, I have resumed the series. The continuation applies the 
concepts developed in the first 16 episodes to an open-end list of contemporary social 
issues. As a way to get started, I created a three-part “Review and Transition”  
(Podcasts 17-19) to provide a brief summary and introduction for those new to the series. 
Podcast #34 marks the beginning of a new series (Part VIII) on "Living in the Future Tense."

Today’s podcast (#38) concerns our inability to speak the truth about our $14 trillion 
national debt. The national debt as a percentage of GDP has historically risen during times 
of war and depression while being offset by increases in the highest marginal tax rate. 
Since 1981 the relative debt has increased due to internal policy decisions, rather than 
external events as before, while the highest marginal tax rate has been reduced.

Forums for a Future: Audio

Edward Renner, PhD

38 - Speaking the Truth and the National Debt

AUG 2, 201116 MIN
Forums for a Future: Audio

38 - Speaking the Truth and the National Debt

AUG 2, 201116 MIN

Description

After taking one year off to teach “Forums for a Future” as a university honors course, I have resumed the series. The continuation applies the concepts developed in the first 16 episodes to an open-end list of contemporary social issues. As a way to get started, I created a three-part “Review and Transition” (Podcasts 17-19) to provide a brief summary and introduction for those new to the series. Podcast #34 marks the beginning of a new series (Part VIII) on "Living in the Future Tense." Today’s podcast (#38) concerns our inability to speak the truth about our $14 trillion national debt. The national debt as a percentage of GDP has historically risen during times of war and depression while being offset by increases in the highest marginal tax rate. Since 1981 the relative debt has increased due to internal policy decisions, rather than external events as before, while the highest marginal tax rate has been reduced.