Of course its very different than normal entities being in debt, since the government is ostensibly an arm of the people, who's income comes from taxing the populace.

But it _is_ still debt right? It is still money owed. It is still money that was spent by the government by taking loans and promising to pay back those loans, again on behalf of the people.

Once in a while, might be worth questioning who they borrowed the money from, what they spent it on, and who they chose to spend it with. Rather than just blindly repeat the pithy line, "but its not the same as regulars people's debt".

The fact the gov can go 34 trillion in debt and a normal Joes Garage can't is actually pretty obvious to people already.