Why do you think the debt has risen to almost $14 trillion today? Give specific
examples of tasks and services the federal government
pays for.

I think the taxes rose to 14 trillion today because of wars that have happened in the past. For example, the government had to pay a lot of money for WW II which costed them 4.69 trillion. The government also pays for  technology and education for schools and businesses , and to provide goods and services for the benefit for the people who live in America. They also pay for medical care a social services. So, in conclusion the government pays a lot for our everyday needs and survival.

china unilaterally claims the entire south china sea as sovereign territory, then builds artificial islands to bolster its claim. it suddenly activates an air defense identification zone over the east china sea, and threatens to down any aircraft that does not report its position. it builds roads into indian territory, then redraws the maps to show that it is actually chinese territory. the people's republic under president xi jinping is quickly becoming the bully of asia.

frederick william of brandenburg-prussia trained his son, frederick, to be a hardy soldier. but frederick disliked rifle shooting and horseback riding. unlike his father, he was interested in french literature. he enjoyed poetry and music and, like some others of the enlightenment, he scoffed at religion. his father thought him soft, frivolous and unmindful of his duties. and when frederick refused to put his signature on a right to succession, for a few moments his father strangled him.