We need to start manufacturing our own goods and improving the quality of the goods that we make now. For example, Honda makes a car that lasts a very long time (mileage wise). The more we rely on forgien goods and services (outsourcing) the more we will be dependent on another country. The GOP always promotes the mantra of "the individual is responsible for themselves," but fails to see that we as a country are relying on others to provide for us things for us.

Kevin, Baltimore MD
I agree that Congress is partially responsible for the National Debt, but the President holds equal responsibility too.

I think the United States needs to take a hard look at WHY corporations and manufacturers to do business outside of the country.

Between heavy government regulations and out-dated labor unions I really can't fault them for what they do. If we are really serious about fixing the problem we need to make it profitable for companies to stay.

Thank you J from Houston!

I get very tired of people who make a statement out of frustration, repeatedly - often only looking for like minds to bolster the stated opinion, yet never looking at:

1) the consequences of their proposed action
2) the sacrifice they and their fellow citizens would have to make for the proposed action
3) the big picture effect (my favorite example - "everyone should drive an electric car" - ok great, but are we ready to deal with the shift to many more power plants and increased oil/gas/coal/hydro/nuclear resources needed for the massive increase in electricity needed to charge all those vehicles daily and nightly along with the increase in pollution from the plants and battery waste?… yep, didn' think so

Think folks, it is very easy to say, those CEOs they are sticking it to us! Yet how many people actually pay attention to our legislation or the stock annual reports and disclosures… answer? very, very few, yet it is all in there. How many pay attention to the history that got us here, or write their legislators, or attend stock meetings? again very few, but the opportunities are there.

J is right, it is a combination of government action and policy and corporation action and policy masked in responsibility to share holders, but more often due to metrics for personal gain for taking such actions as J mentioned, like outsourcing 10% of a workforce overseas to take advantage (short term by the way) of cheap labor.

People get exactly the government they deserve most of the time. Those that stay involved and up on issues and history fair better most of the time than those who do not.

Actually, he's unintentionally correct. A CEO pulling 300 M dollar retirement bonuses for essentially outsourcing 10% of his US employees is exactly the type of problem that is destroying the US. This has been happening for over 30 years though, so blaming one party is irrelevant. The fact is, the world is being allowed to change and only your purchasing choices have the power to stop it…and those aren't gonna change, are they?

Do you really think that the corporations are responsible for the GOVERNMENT's debt and the country's trade deficit????? The national debt is due to reckless spending in Congress, both Republicans and Democrats. The trade deficit is due to the people in this country in general. If you buy a car made in Japan or shoes made in China, you have just contributed to the trade deficit.

I agree that there are a lot of problems with Republican policies, but if you have no idea what you are talking about please don't make accusations.

I want to know who has guts enough to address the massive republican national debt and the massive trade deficit brought on by the GREED OF THE CEO'S OR OUR BIGGEST, MOST PROFITABLE,CORPORATIONS.

nice clay figures! these are the people who forget to vote on election day because they're hanging out at Starbucks

Top Questions you won't hear at the Republican Youtube debate;

1. Anything to do with global warming.

2. Anything to do about ending the war in Iraq.

3. Nothing about how the war on terror has made us less safe.

4. Nothing to do with habius corpus, wire tapping or rendition.

5. Nothing to do with torture being illegal and immoral.

6. Nothing to do with how Republican policies over the last seven years have driven us from a budget surplus to the highest debt since WWII.

7. Nothing of intelligence or subtelty that has anything to do with anything positive at all.

8. Nothing that has anything to do with anything other than fear, loathing, hatred, backward thinking and paranoia.