Thursday Thirteen #810*

Thirteen Reasons to raise the national debt ceiling:

1. Economic Stability: Raising the debt ceiling ensures that the government can continue paying its bills and obligations, thus maintaining economic stability. Failure to raise the debt ceiling could result in a government shutdown, default on debt payments, and a severe financial crisis.

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2. Avoid a Government Shutdown: Raising the debt ceiling prevents a potential government shutdown, which can have detrimental effects on essential services, government operations, and public trust in the functioning of the government. Government services include things like keeping up the federal highways, social assistance programs (SNAP, etc.), the federal court system, environmental protections, all of the workers who make up the government to keep things running (air traffic controllers, for example), federal recreational services such as the National Parks, the Smithsonian, etc., and research for new technologies, such as funding for research for various diseases as well as NASA, which has brought many technological advances to humanity.

3. Preserving Creditworthiness: By raising the debt ceiling, the government maintains its ability to borrow money and meet its financial obligations. This helps preserve the country's creditworthiness and prevents a downgrade in its credit rating, which would increase borrowing costs for the government and potentially the entire world economy.

4. Supporting Social Programs: Raising the debt ceiling ensures that critical social programs, such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, continue to receive funding. These programs provide vital support to vulnerable populations, including the elderly, disabled, and low-income individuals.

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5. Investing in Infrastructure: Raising the debt ceiling can enable the government to fund infrastructure projects that create jobs, improve transportation systems, enhance public facilities, and stimulate economic growth. Investing in infrastructure is crucial for long-term economic competitiveness and development.

6. Emergency Funding: Raising the debt ceiling allows the government to respond effectively to unexpected emergencies, such as natural disasters, public health crises, or security threats. It ensures that necessary resources are available to mitigate the impact of these crises and protect citizens.

7. National Defense: The debt ceiling increase can ensure adequate funding for national defense, including the military, intelligence agencies, and veterans' programs. Maintaining a strong defense is essential for safeguarding national security interests and protecting the country from external threats.

8. Debt Refinancing: Raising the debt ceiling provides the opportunity to refinance existing debt at favorable interest rates. This can lead to cost savings for the government, freeing up resources for other critical priorities or reducing the overall burden of interest payments.

9. Economic Stimulus: Raising the debt ceiling allows the government to implement fiscal stimulus measures during economic downturns. Increased spending on public projects, tax cuts, or targeted subsidies can boost economic activity, create jobs, and help accelerate economic recovery.

10. Maintaining Government Operations: Raising the debt ceiling ensures that government agencies and departments can continue their operations without disruption. It enables the hiring and payment of federal employees, maintenance of public facilities, and delivery of essential services to the public.

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11. Research and Innovation: Increased debt ceiling capacity can support investments in scientific research, technological innovation, and development of new industries. These investments lay the groundwork for future economic growth, job creation, and competitiveness in the global market.

12. Education and Workforce Development: Raising the debt ceiling allows for investments in education and workforce development programs. These initiatives can enhance the skills of the workforce, improve access to quality education, and ensure that the country remains globally competitive.

13. Social Safety Nets: Raising the debt ceiling enables the government to continue providing social safety net programs, such as unemployment benefits and food assistance, to those in need. These programs help mitigate the impacts of economic hardships and provide a basic level of support for individuals and families facing financial difficulties.

ChatGPT assisted with this list.

Bing AI created the images.

*I thought last week was #810 but the blogger counter says it was 809. I have no idea, I just go by what the blog label counter says. Maybe I misread it last week.

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Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here if you want to read other Thursday Thirteens and/or play along. I've been playing for a while, and this is my 810th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.