You're now on the archive server. Commenting has been disabled.

Whither "Debt to the Penny?"

Marla Singer's picture




Perhaps it is just me, but isn't Treasury Direct's "to the penny" national debt meter supposed to update "daily?"  Or is there an update lag of some kind?  The meter is currently frozen on November 19th.  Oddly, there wasn't more than a 24 hour lag last week.  The site itself is singularly unhelpful in finding an answer.

Not only that, and I hope you will forgive me for asking this, but what transactions exactly dropped the total debt by $27.5 billion on a Wednesday and Thursday last week, right before updates cease?  That's not unprecedented (the record daily drop for 2009 is $71 billion) but it is quite interesting.

 

 

Update: Apparently, they've just now added data for the 20th and Zero Hedge is pleased to report that the new data now marks a three day streak of negative figures in the debt's second derivative.  Just in time for a big borrow from the FDIC and FHA!  We are also delighted to report that continued declines at the pace of the last 3 days of data will pay off the entire debt in 3.43 years.

 




Similar Articles You Might Enjoy:

Comment viewing options

Select your preferred way to display the comments and click "Save settings" to activate your changes.
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 15:29 | Link to Comment just.a.guy
just.a.guy's picture

The day the dollar died?

Well, not yet anyway.  But it appears the Treasury is piling on the bandwagon of exceptionalism heretofore reserved for the FDIC.  Even worse, they haven't kicked the can on the law yet -- so odds are high the government is soon to be operating illegally, if it isn't already.

Mon, 11/23/2009 - 16:58 | Link to Comment VegasBD
VegasBD's picture

March 18th.

Thu, 09/09/2010 - 03:08 | Link to Comment qrs521
qrs521's picture

Women in summer would like to become beautiful. Everything can grab other's eyes is their best friends.Products make them beauty and confident is their favourite. Look in the street,you can see many different types of make up to show women's personality.

Welcome to the shop, the following is our products, free shipping.

Soccer Shoes Cheap Soccer Shoes Nike Soccer Shoes Adidas Soccer Shoes Nike Soccer Shoes sale Adidas Soccer Shoes sale UGG UGGs UGG Boot UGG Boots UGG Boots Sale Cheap UGG Boots UGG Boots Cheap Women UGG boots ugg boots cardy ugg cardy boots Timberland Timberland sale Timberland boots Timberland boots online Timberland on sale New timberland boots UGG UGG boots UGG boots sale UGG boots short Short ugg Short ugg boots Ugg boots tall Nike Air Nike Air Max Nike Air Max Shoes Nike SB Nike Dunk Nike Dunk SB Nike Dunk SB Shoes Nike Shox Nike Shox Shoes Women Bags Women Bags Sale Women Handbags Women Handbags Sale Women New Bags Cheap Bags Cheap Bags On Sale New women bags New women bags sale New women bags sale online Louis Vuitton Handbags Gucci bags Nike Nike Shoes Nike Shoes Sale Nike running Nike running shoes Nike trainers Nike trainers shoes Timberland Timberland boots Timberland boots sale Timberland boot Timberland boot sale Timberland boots cheap Men timberlands MBT MBT Shoes MBT Chapa GTX MBT Men Shoes MBT Women Shoes Discount MBT Shoes LV Handbags Gucci Handbags Chanel Handbags Chloe Handbags D&G Handbags Dior Handbags Fendi Handbags Hermes Handbags Jimmy Choo Bags Marc Jacobs Bags Miu Miu Handbags Mulberry Bags Prada Handbags Versace Handbags Yves Saint Laurent Balenciaga Bags Burberry Handbags LV Handbags Gucci Handbags Chanel Handbags Chloe Handbags D&G Handbags Dior Handbags Fendi Handbags Hermes Handbags Jimmy Choo Bags Marc Jacobs Bags Miu Miu Handbags Mulberry Bags Prada Handbags Versace Handbags Yves Saint Laurent Balenciaga Bags Burberry Handbags

Those who want to become most beautiful in the world should try them. Just ones can make you different. Girls who want to grab your boyfriends's heart is necessary to use them.

Mon, 11/23/2009 - 15:31 | Link to Comment D.O.D.
D.O.D.'s picture

"That would be just a coincidence"

-B.S. Bernanke

Mon, 11/23/2009 - 15:42 | Link to Comment Cognitive Dissonance
Cognitive Dissonance's picture

Marla,

I've always been amused how these numbers are quoted down to the penny. Was it measured at the end of the day GMT or 4 PM Eastern? If they find a nickel on the floor do they adjust for it or is there a jar on Turbo Tax Timmy's desk for stray loose change that's spent once a year on pizza for the staff?

Of course, this is done for specific psychological reasons for we all understand that absolute precision infers accuracy and honesty. In the really good Con, it's the tiny details that lend legitimacy to the Ponzi which ultimately sucks in the reluctant (but greedy) minnows. 

Bottom line, it's out own failure of imagination that dooms us to the perpetual Ponzi. We simply can't conceive others could be so evil.

I'll have pepperoni on mine, thanks.

Mon, 11/23/2009 - 15:47 | Link to Comment Daedal
Daedal's picture

Bottom line, it's out own failure of imagination that dooms us to the perpetual Ponzi. We simply can't conceive others could be so evil.

What's the difference between ignorance and apathy?
I don't know, and I don't care.

Mon, 11/23/2009 - 16:08 | Link to Comment Anonymous
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 15:48 | Link to Comment faustian bargain
faustian bargain's picture

Perpetual Ponzi pizza, I like it.

With anchovies, I like it extra fishy.

Mon, 11/23/2009 - 15:39 | Link to Comment Screwball
Screwball's picture

It's the new math.

Mon, 11/23/2009 - 15:40 | Link to Comment Anonymous
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 15:43 | Link to Comment D.O.D.
D.O.D.'s picture

my Iphone debt clock, yes there is a free app for that too, has the debt at

12,172,454....5....6....7....

Mon, 11/23/2009 - 15:52 | Link to Comment Marla Singer
Marla Singer's picture

Really?

That'd be over the limit of $12.104 trillion.

Mon, 11/23/2009 - 17:08 | Link to Comment D.O.D.
D.O.D.'s picture

hmmm that is peculiar..

 

"It is not obvious that the debt ceiling is relevent."

-B.S. Bernanke

Mon, 11/23/2009 - 15:44 | Link to Comment Rusty_Shackleford
Rusty_Shackleford's picture

Tried to submit a question to the site through their "e-mail us" section.  Got this:

 

 

We're sorry... The server has encountered an error, and we're unable to process your request.

We're sorry for the inconvenience and are investigating the problem. In the meantime, our contact information is available at www.treasurydirect.gov if you need assistance.

Thank you for visiting our website.

Mon, 11/23/2009 - 15:46 | Link to Comment Racer
Racer's picture

The cogs on the numbers have worn out from extreme overuse

Mon, 11/23/2009 - 15:46 | Link to Comment Steak
Steak's picture

I was on Treasury Direct site looking to double check ZH's figures in a piece a couple weeks ago.  I found the site to be wholly useless in answering the basic questions of how much we owe at what rates due when.  I saw the "debt to a penny" link and didn't even click on it.  Just cause your fudged numbers include pennies doesn't make them accurate; Madoff's clients had statements with decimal points too.

The ZH article I mention: http://www.zerohedge.com/article/us-lunatic-asylum-ie-economy-facing-approximately-15-trillion-roll-risk-2012

And while Treasury Direct couldn't help, thankfully a NYTimes story provides sufficient detail to check TD's #'s: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/23/business/23rates.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all

Mon, 11/23/2009 - 15:46 | Link to Comment faustian bargain
faustian bargain's picture

maybe somebody mailed in some contributions to reduce the debt.

 

<rim shot>

Mon, 11/23/2009 - 15:47 | Link to Comment Shameful
Shameful's picture

My vote is shenanigans all around!  To the "lowering" of the debt it's either an outright lie or they looted some pensions or pulled some accounting tricks to bring the number in.  As to not updating, they might be trying to figure out what accounting con they are going to run.  After all they "can't" be over the debt limit, that would be "illegal" and we know our government never does anything illegal...

If they wanted to be honest with us they would just put the infinity symbol in for the debt.  Everyone in the world knows we aren't good for it.  Near as I can figure we are the huge drunk guy in the bar who happens to be holding a very large gun and begging drinks off the patrons.  Sure we say we'll pay them back but we all know that's just pillow talk.  I wonder how the world would put up with our lies and fraud if we didn't have so many bombs and tanks?

Mon, 11/23/2009 - 21:23 | Link to Comment Hephasteus
Hephasteus's picture

Probably either printed up some money to fund social security or simply moved some of the borrowed against entries against it. Yes the fed is is it's own bank. It is both creditor and debtor against any asset and it borrows against unfunded social security because it doesn't even follow the rules of the time space continuum. Self agrandized. Self funded, Self Powered yet asserting the right to bother everyone. Give it something real and it will horde it and keep it to itself and make copies of it to distrubute to everyone else.

Mon, 11/23/2009 - 15:48 | Link to Comment Anonymous
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 16:02 | Link to Comment Danz Gambit
Danz Gambit's picture

This one is still working

http://www.usdebtclock.org/

Mon, 11/23/2009 - 16:06 | Link to Comment The Coon
The Coon's picture

marla:

 

I have followed this site for years.  The site is updated usually towards the end of the day with the previous days number.  I have not seen anything out of the ordinary in a long time.   Sometimes the numbers can have huge swings.

Mon, 11/23/2009 - 16:08 | Link to Comment pinkboxtrader
pinkboxtrader's picture

appears to be updated now

Mon, 11/23/2009 - 16:13 | Link to Comment phaesed
phaesed's picture

Negative interest rates Marla.... Cash flowed into the Treasuries coffers (ain't that something new?)

Mon, 11/23/2009 - 16:15 | Link to Comment faustian bargain
faustian bargain's picture

yeah, here is Friday's number finally:

11/20/2009         7,611,082,619,937.08          4,399,479,122,278.13             12,010,561,742,215.21
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 16:17 | Link to Comment faustian bargain
faustian bargain's picture

$1 bil less than Thursday. Who needs a debt ceiling when you've got creative accounting?

Mon, 11/23/2009 - 16:16 | Link to Comment Anonymous
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 16:19 | Link to Comment Anonymous
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 16:20 | Link to Comment phaesed
phaesed's picture

Isn't interesting how it gets updated right after Zero Hedge posts an article?

 

I'd argue that the first number was right, however with public notice that'd indicate deflation, so the misinformation campaign must remain seamless.

Mon, 11/23/2009 - 16:30 | Link to Comment Anonymous
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 16:37 | Link to Comment Anonymous
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 16:45 | Link to Comment Anonymous
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 17:13 | Link to Comment Marla Singer
Marla Singer's picture

$12.104 is the limit.

Mon, 11/23/2009 - 17:30 | Link to Comment Racer
Racer's picture

Apologies for the correction Marla...

the word isn't 'limit', because limit would imply something that must not be exceeded, whereas target would be a more appropriate word in this situation don't you think  :)

Mon, 11/23/2009 - 17:33 | Link to Comment Marla Singer
Marla Singer's picture

How about "suggestion"?

Mon, 11/23/2009 - 20:32 | Link to Comment Anonymous
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 16:54 | Link to Comment Anonymous
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 17:54 | Link to Comment Anonymous
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 18:55 | Link to Comment Cognitive Dissonance
Cognitive Dissonance's picture

God forgive me for what I'm about to say but based upon the Fed's convoluted logic, it seems to me if we borrowed $39,000 each (or whatever the number is per individual) from the Fed, paid the debt off, then abolished the Fed as having not acted in the interest of the public and thus all its debt is illegitimate and not an obligation of the American citizens, wouldn't that some how extinguish to debt?

It makes about as much sense as anything I've heard from the Fed the past 30 years. Since we're simply taking money from one pocket to pay debts in another pocket, can't we just pay ourselves off?

It makes my head hurt just thinking in this manner.

Mon, 11/23/2009 - 19:44 | Link to Comment Anonymous
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 17:44 | Link to Comment trav777
trav777's picture

hmm...I am pretty confident that the trend of this number is UP UP UP UP

Mon, 11/23/2009 - 18:33 | Link to Comment Anonymous
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 19:13 | Link to Comment Anonymous
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 23:01 | Link to Comment delacroix
delacroix's picture

the fed debt should be increasing in inverse ratio to fdic funds decline. oh wait they're both on time out.  even when you die, it's not official, till the doctor calls it. this subconscious preocupation with zombies, is starting to make sense. is there such a thing as a vampire zombie?

Tue, 11/24/2009 - 02:44 | Link to Comment Steroid
Steroid's picture

The solution is simple:

According to the Constitution Congress has the right to coin money and regulate its value.

What prevents them making a coin nominated at ten trillion dollars. Also, make it gold to be totally legal. Now the debt is covered.

Then give it to the Chinese so they owe us eight trillions.

Tue, 11/24/2009 - 09:48 | Link to Comment Anonymous
Wed, 11/10/2010 - 05:23 | Link to Comment cheap uggs for sale
cheap uggs for sale's picture

It’s a interesting news,i like it.Additionally,wellcome to my website prettyboots.org ,here are so many UGGS On Sale such as:UGG Elsey wedge|UGG Elsey wedge black|UGG Elsey wedge chestnut|UGG Elsey wedge espresso|UGG Langley|UGG Langley black|UGG Langley chestnut|UGG Lo Pro Button|UGG Lo Pro Button black|UGG Lo Pro Button blue|UGG Lo Pro Button cream|UGG Mayfaire|UGG Mayfaire black|UGG Mayfaire chestnut|UGG Mayfaire chocolate|UGG Mayfaire sand|UGG Mayfaire red|UGG Nightfall|UGG Nightfall black|UGG Nightfall chestnut|UGG Nightfall chocolate|UGG Nightfall sand|UGG Sundance II|UGG Sundance II black|UGG Sundance II chestnut|UGG Sundance II chocolate|UGG Sundance II sand|UGG Ultimate Bind|UGG Ultimate Bind black|UGG Ultimate Bind chestnut|UGG Ultimate Bind chocolate|UGG Ultimate Bind sand|UGG Ultra Short|UGG Ultra Short chocolate|UGG Ultra Short sand|UGG Ultra Short black|UGG Ultra Tall|UGG Ultra Tall chestnut|UGG Ultra Tall sand|UGG Ultra Tall balck|UGG Ultra Tall chocolate|UGG Suede|UGG Suede black|UGG Suede chestnut|UGG Suede sand|UGG upside|UGG upside black|UGG upside chestnut|UGG upside mocha|UGG Roxy Tall|UGG Roxy Tall black|UGG Roxy Tall chestnut|UGG Roxy Tall chocolate|UGG Roxy Tall sand|UGG seline|UGG seline black|UGG seline chestnut|UGG Corinth Boots|UGG Liberty|UGG Liberty black|UGG Liberty cigar|UGG Highkoo|UGG Highkoo amber brown|UGG Highkoo espresso|UGG Highkoo grey|UGG Highkoo black|UGG Knightsbridge|UGG Knightsbridge black|UGG Knightsbridge chestnut|UGG Knightsbridge grey|UGG Knightsbridge sand|UGG Knightsbridge chocolate|UGG Adirondack|UGG Adirondack brown|UGG Adirondack chocolate|UGG Suburb Crochet|UGG Suburb Crochet black|UGG Suburb Crochet chestnut|UGG Suburb Crochet chocolate|UGG Suburb Crochet grey|UGG Suburb Crochet white|UGG Kensington|UGG Kensington black|UGG Kensington chestnut|UGG Roseberry|UGG Roseberry black|UGG Roseberry sand|UGG Gaviota|UGG Gaviota black|UGG Gaviota chestnut|UGG Gaviota chocolate|UGG Desoto|UGG Desoto black|UGG Desoto chestnut|UGG Desoto chocolate|UGG Brookfield Tall|UGG Brookfield Tall black|UGG Brookfield Tall chocolate|UGG Gissella|UGG Gissella black|UGG Gissella chestnut|UGG Gissella espresso|UGG Payton|UGG Payton black|UGG Payton chestnut|UGG Payton red|UGG Bailey Button Triplet|UGG Bailey Button Triplet black|UGG Bailey Button Triplet chestnut|UGG Bailey Button Triplet chocolate|UGG Bailey Button Triplet grey|UGG Bailey Button Triplet sand|There are so much style of cheap uggs for sale ,so once you go to my website you will be very surprise.

Tue, 11/16/2010 - 09:49 | Link to Comment healthelectron
healthelectron's picture

us handbags manufacturer and handbags factory in china. Supply all kinks of fashionable handbags, customer's designer, size, material, color and logo could be accepted. If you come to our handbags factory, you will be find we are the best handbags supplier in china.

Do NOT follow this link or you will be banned from the site!