It Was Only Eleven Years Ago

NPR's Planet Money program got hold of a secret government document from 2000 that contemplated the effect on the world financial system of the United States paying off its debt, which looked to be possible by 2012.

It was not necessarily a good thing! There would be no U.S. Treasury bonds, and that was the safest haven in the world. Ah, the good old days.

What the heck happened?

Oh yeah. George W. Bush. Thanks again, Scalia.

Thanks to Steve Benen for  directing me to this.