Global stock markets are near all time highs.

A lot of these gains are based on "stimulus" measures, including ultra-low interest rates and the accumulation of government debt.

It was how we temporarily "fixed" the 2008 Financial Crisis and prevented our country from falling into the economic abyss.

But, what if the "treatment" is worse than the disease?

Dick Cheney famously said, "deficits don't matter," but next month our government will hit a scary milestone of debt. Specifically $20 trillion dollars.

Here's what $20 trillion dollars looks like:

$20,000,000,000,000

But, how can you even wrap your head around a number that big? Consider that $20 trillion is:

• Approximately the value of all the companies on the New York Stock Exchange
• 100 times the value of all the gold at Fort Knox
• About $165k of government debt per taxpayer!

...and that doesn't count "personal debt."

Personal debt is just as scary

While the government is putting a $20 trillion dollar tab on our kids, we're borrowing almost as much in mortgage debt ($14.5+ trillion), credit card debt ($1+ trillion), and student loan debt ($1.4+ Trillion), which have recently all reached record highs.

Add it up together with what we need to pay out for programs like Medicare and Social Security, and you're at about $892k per U.S. citizen in debt.

Tick, Tick, Tick...

So, as a parent, this really scares me. While I'm no economist, I do deeply care about the future of our country and providing for my family.

Most of our wealth is built on U.S. dollar, which are simply IOUs, no longer linked to gold or any other asset.

The dollar is just paper, (actually, it's mostly digital numbers now) propped up simply by our collective faith in the credit of our government.

The Federal Reserve can make as many dollars as they want at any time and borrow them from themselves, printing "In God We Trust" on every one. (Is God really involved in this pyramid scheme?)

(Get it? "Pyramid" scheme!)

It's kind of an insane system that would make Bernie Madoff proud.

It's also why a ticket to Disney World cost $3.50 in 1971, but costs $124 now!

Dollars just ain't what they used to be.

And, when this "dollar debasement" accelerates, your savings will start to evaporate as well.

When people realize the grave situation we're in globally, well... have you heard of Humpty Dumpy or the "Titanic?" (they don't end well)

What should a parent should do?

I'm also not selling anything here.

I didn't write a book, and I'm not promoting some sort of investment strategy.

I'm just asking that you look at these numbers, and think about what it might mean for your family.

• Check out the U.S. Debt Clock. It's real, and it's scary
• Google, "debt ceiling"

Put a percentage of your money in tangible assets like gold and silver that function as an insurance policy. Do some research online, and come up with your own plan to protect your family.

Please, just don't keep your head in the sand!

If you have thoughts, please comment below, or shoot me an email at my tax blog!