I think there is an error on your figure on US national
debt, it's about $8 trillion and translates to about
$27 K every person, and that's about $1350 a year in
interest payment per person assuming a 5% interest rate,
which is not that bad. A middle class person making $30 an
hour can make this interest payment in a little than a week.
America is extremely flexible and resilient to new
challenges. Immigration policy might be relaxed to
fund baby boomer retirements. America remains a leader
in technology innovation.
Each person's situation is different and warrants different
planning and choices. I remember in 2003 you said $2 million is enough to retire in the US. That number is
probably OK in Beijing or shanghai now, but one would
at least $3 million in silicon valley to retire.
A 2500 sq ft, 4-bdrm house in Saratoga or Cupertino now
costs between $1.3 to $1.5 million, and there's still
quite some buyers out there in that price range!
