> was all recoverable

The debt was never recoverable

Well, I disagree but the current policies guarantee it's not recoverable so a debate would mostly be around hypotheticals. We're reducing revenue but not spending (or not enough to offset the reduction in revenue so the deficit will rise), so the debt will only continue to rise at an increasing rate.

Ironically, Trump has the record for the highest deficit ever in US history. He's on track to beat it though and with a reasonably strong economy when he took office (again, not an ideal economy, underemployment is a major issue, but not a weak economy by any stretch).

> Ironically, Trump has the record for the highest deficit ever in US history.

hardly relevant comment since all presidents left and right have been pushing the button to increase deficits (and congress is completely responsible as well for not trying to balance the budget) so this is a systemic problem that will bring the downfall of America no matter what. It's just a matter of time, and with that level of debt, the time bomb keeps ticking faster and faster.

It’s relevant because republicans campaign on it. If neither party claimed to be fiscally responsible I’d agree. However one does and isn’t. That makes the relative debt load under that party compared to the other fair game.

Can you share your understanding of what you think the debt actually is?