Here are the forces that control our political system, that control our
economy, and all those terrible decisions you've seen Congress, the Senate
and the Presidents of the last 30-50 years make? Well they weren't bad for
those, who we owe money to.
Well, this explains it rather well, and it's straight from the Capitalists
mouth. These are the people YOU OWE YOUR LABOR TO.
It reads better on the web page.
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/biggest-holders-of-us-gov-t-debt.html
Biggest Holders of US Government Debt
CNBCBy Paul Toscano | CNBC 6 hours ago
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As the U.S. government spends an unprecedented amount of money to fix the
economy, there is an equally great need to raise the cash to pay for it.
This is accomplished through borrowing, whereby Uncle Sam sells Treasury
securities of varying maturity.
For investors, government bills, notes and bonds are considered safe
because they have a guaranteed rate of return, based on faith in future
U.S. tax revenues. The government has been partially funding operations
via Treasury securities for decades.
This borrowing adds to the national debt, which has recently surpassed $15
trillion and is rising every second. The amount of debt is quickly
approaching the federal debt ceiling, a legal limit to borrowing that
currently stands at $16.4 trillion.
Much of that debt is held by private sector, but about 40 percent is held
by public entities, including parts of the government. Here's who owns the
most. Foreign countries listed include private and public investors,
according to monthly U.S. Treasury data.
1. Federal Reserve and Intragovernmental Holdings
U.S. debt holdings: $6.328 trillion
Thats right, the biggest single holder of U.S. government debt is inside
the United States and includes the Federal Reserve system and other
intragovernmental holdings. Of this number, The Fed's system of banks owns
approximately $1.65 billion in U.S. Treasury securities (as of January
2012), while other U.S. intragovernmental holdings - which include large
funds such as the Medicare Trust Fund and the Social Security Trust Fund -
hold the rest.
In the monthly Treasury bulletin, both are combined into one category and
the total accounts for a stunning $6.328 trillion in holdings as of
September 2011 (the most recent number available). The amount is an
all-time high as the Federal Reserve continues to expand its balance
sheet, partially to purchase U.S. government debt securities. The Social
Security Trust fund is required by law to invest in securities where the
principal and interest is guaranteed by the Federal government.
About a decade ago, the total government holdings were only $2.5 trillion.
2. China
Photo: DAJ RM | Getty ImagesU.S. debt holdings: $1.132 trillion
The largest foreign holder of U.S. Treasury securities, China currently
has $1.132 trillion in American debt, although it is down from all time
highs of $1.173 trillion in July 2011. For more on China and currency, see
CNBC Explains.
3. Other Investors/Savings Bonds
U.S. debt holdings $1.107 trillion
With the most recent numbers from June 2011, this extremely diverse group
includes individuals, government-sponsored enterprises, brokers and
dealers, bank personal trusts, estates, savings bonds, corporate and
noncorporate businesses for a total of $1.107 trillion.
Although the level of debt held in U.S. savings bonds has remained
basically constant since 2000, the broad category of other investors has
nearly quadrupled since reaching a four-year low in December 2007.
[Also see: Money Missteps That Matter]
4. Japan
Photo: APU.S. debt holdings: $1.038 trillion
One of the U.S.'s largest trade partners, Japan is also one of the U.S.'s
largest debt holders, currently owning $1.038 trillion in Treasury
securities.
5. Pension Funds
U.S. debt holdings: $842.2 billion
Pension funds control large amounts of money, reserved for personal
retirements, and thus are obligated to make relatively safe investments.
This group, which includes private and local government pension funds,
holds $842.2 billion in U.S. debt. The private pension fund category also
includes U.S. Treasury securities held by the Federal Employees Retirement
System Thrift Savings Plan G Fund.
6. Mutual Funds
U.S. debt holdings: $653.5 billion
According to the Federal Reserve, mutual funds hold the sixth-largest
amount of U.S. debt compared to any other group, although mutual fund
holdings have diminished by more than $105 billion since December 2008.
Including money market funds, mutual funds and closed-end funds, this
group of investments managed about $653.5 billion in U.S. Treasury
securities as of June 2011, which are the most recent numbers available.
7. State and Local Governments
U.S. debt holdings: $484.4 billion
U.S. state and local governments have nearly a half-trillion dollars
invested in American debt, according to the Federal Reserve. The level of
investment has remained stable since
