You have got to look at the graphics here:

http://demonocracy.info/infographics/usa/us_deficit/us_deficit.html

US Government budget visualized. It's freaking staggering!

Is it?
Or is it meaningless since currency is now based on nothing physical, except, maybe, commodities?
If that's the case, one's wealth could currently be measured in oil and coffee beans.

Using currency gives one a physical representation of the staggering nature of the debt.

Cool graphics.

I've seen similar graphics before similar to these, but not these specific ones.