The U.S. government has exactly two ways to pay for what it spends: it can tax you today, or it can borrow and tax you tomorrow.
Politicians almost always choose the second option. Raising taxes is political suicide; borrowing feels free — until the bill comes due.
That bill is the federal debt. Every dollar borrowed today is a promise that someone will pay it back later. That “someone” is you, your kids, and your grandkids.