We all read or hear about the US debt almost daily. What are our sources: Mass Media, Politicians, and the Financial Sector? Pardon my cynicism in believing any of these institutions would tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth on the debt. So, who is mudding up the waters? Who is the small player and who is the big player on US debt? To answer this question, we need to take a non-agenda driven look at the US debt.

It’s ironic. Oftentimes we talk about investing as if there are an infinite number of possible goals and every individual is going to have a unique set of circumstances that govern the construction of their portfolio. And while there may be some truth to that in a short-term context, I’ve found that the majority of investors tend to have similar long-term ideas. That is: work hard, plan for retirement, protect what you have, and provide for your family.