That use of "trillion" is almost obligatory and transcends real understanding. 20 trillion may as well be 900 quadrillion. It will NEVER be paid back or balanced... never! It can't be balanced. The monetary system is literally designed to breed debt! The currency is backed by monetized debt. The Fed makes it impossible for the US Treasury, the US citizenry, the US Government, etc. to ever have our finances in the black. That debt is will increase as long as the Fed exists. It was intentionally structured to do exactly what it's done. I can remember when the debt was in the billions. It never slows, it only grows. It's a shame Rand Paul never mentions the Fed in the current GOP debates and stump trails. The 16th Amendment buried this country for perpetuity.