Slowing Population Growth & Lots of National Debt! Should Americans Care? Is it Possible that More People is Better and Debt Doesn't Matter?

<p>The Best Paragraph I've Read:</p> <p><br></p> <p>If you're worried about the short-term economic outlook, I have bad news: The long-term outlook is worse. &nbsp;That's what emerges from the latest long-term budget outlook released by the Congressional Budget Office last week. &nbsp;It contained this sobering number: The agency expects annual economic growth to average just 1.6% over the next three decades - down by about a quarter of a point from its forecast a year ago - and just 1.5% by the 2040s. &nbsp;The US hasn't had trend growth that slow since the 1930's. &nbsp;Only a bit of this is because of the pandemic. &nbsp;Most reflects longer-lasting forces, namely demographics and productivity. &nbsp;</p> <p><br></p> <p>This paragraph comes from an editorial in the Wall Street Journal titled: "Demographics, Debt Hang Over US Growth." &nbsp;The author is Greg IP.</p> <p><br></p> <p><a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/demographics-and-debt-hang-over-long-term-u-s-growth-11601467381">https://www.wsj.com/articles/demographics-and-debt-hang-over-long-term-u-s-growth-11601467381</a></p> <p><br></p> <p>Zac and Don discuss this bleak long term economic outlook. &nbsp;They talk about America's declining population - is this a problem? &nbsp;If it is a problem can it be solved? &nbsp;They also talk about the national debt and if this is actually a problem.</p> <p><br></p> <p>In the podcast Zac and Don also discuss ideas from the following books:</p> <p><br></p> <p><strong>Day of Empire by Amy Chua</strong></p> <p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Day-Empire-Hyperpowers-Global-Dominance/dp/1400077419">https://www.amazon.com/Day-Empire-Hyperpowers-Global-Dominance/dp/1400077419</a></p> <p><br></p> <p><strong>The Deficit Myth by Stephanie Kelton</strong></p> <p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Deficit-Myth-Monetary-Peoples-Economy/dp/1541736184">https://www.amazon.com/Deficit-Myth-Monetary-Peoples-Economy/dp/1541736184&nbsp;</a></p>