In a recent government meeting, officials discussed the alarming trajectory of the national debt, which is projected to exceed $1.1 trillion this year. The conversation highlighted a significant increase in interest costs, which have nearly quadrupled, raising concerns about a potential \"debt spiral\" that could severely impact American households. The rising costs of government borrowing are expected to outpace economic growth, leading to higher mortgage rates and a scarcity of available funds for consumers.

One official emphasized that the federal debt, currently averaging $260,000 per household, represents a financial burden akin to a second mortgage that citizens are unaware of, yet still feel the effects of. The total federal debt surpasses the construction value of all homes in the United States, which stands at approximately $33 trillion, underscoring the magnitude of the financial obligations incurred by the government.

The meeting also addressed the decline of local journalism, with reports indicating the loss of 40,000 newsroom jobs since 2008. Officials noted that the consolidation of media outlets and the dominance of tech monopolies, such as Google and Facebook, have exacerbated the challenges faced by local newspapers. These platforms have diverted advertising revenue away from traditional media, making it increasingly difficult for smaller news organizations to survive.

Legislators are considering measures to amend antitrust laws to help local newspapers negotiate better terms with these tech giants, aiming to restore a more competitive landscape for journalism. The discussions underscored the critical role of trustworthy journalism in a functioning democracy and the need to address the monopolistic practices that threaten its viability.