American here. Anecdotally citizens would rather not have this be the case, but in my experience several factors nullify action:<p>- The number is so big it is now an imaginary, abstract concept. A trillion cannot be imagined or comprehended, even when explained by dividing into comprehensible numbers. No perceived reality means it doesn’t really exist.<p>- The lack of consequences (certainly immediate, but probably longer-term) means this is an abstract intellectual concept. Abstract-loving types will be intrigued, others will devote brain power to more practical matters throughout the day.<p>- The culture is generally okay with spending exceeding income at every level from household, to locally financed projects, to larger corporations, to the largest budgets of the government. Personally I think household economics should influence and does inform government spending, which is a controversial stance, but regardless if you agree with <i>liking</i> it or not, I hope you’ll agree the culture is generally comfortable with debt.<p>- Generational plans are typically an uphill battle against the needs of the moment. Not specifically an American item perhaps, and I will refrain from commenting on why this is so, but nevertheless another main factor, in my opinion.<p>Pointing out the problems is always easier than fixing them, so I apologize for stopping here without providing my personal utopian solutions.