We Are Now Talking About Real Money
Omaha Daily Record
Last updated: September 7, 2026
The article uses a historical anecdote about former Illinois senator Everitt Dirksen's quote to illustrate the vastness of modern financial figures. It highlights how what was once considered an immense sum of money, a billion dollars, is now a relatively small amount when discussing national debt.
- The text references a statement attributed to former Illinois senator Everitt Dirksen, "A billion dollars here and a billion dollars there and pretty soon you're talking about real money." This quote was made when the national debt was approximately 352 billion dollars.
- The article emphasizes the dramatic increase in the perceived value of money over time due to inflation. It states that 352 billion dollars in the past is equivalent to 3.2 trillion dollars today.
- This comparison serves to underscore the significant scale of financial figures discussed in contemporary contexts, particularly concerning national debt, suggesting that the threshold for "real money" has shifted considerably.
