The U.S. government posted a $1.7 trillion budget deficit in fiscal 2023, a significant 23% jump from the prior year. Revenues declined and outlays for Social Security, Medicare and record-high interest costs on the federal debt raced ahead. "Nobody in Washington is interested in controlling spending," warns DICK BOVE, chief financial strategist at ODEON CAPITAL GROUP. The Treasury Department said the deficit came in as the largest since a $2.78 trillion gap in 2021 padded by COVID spending. ODEON co-founder, MAT VAN ALSTYNE, expressed shock at the plunge in individual income tax collections in the current fiscal year.

Meanwhile, US car loan delinquencies are at a near three decade high, and consumers are defaulting on credit car loans at the highest pace in 10 years. Once again, some market experts are sounding the alarm for the long anticipated recession. Abroad, there is trouble in the Middle East, Ukraine and domestic tension in America. Still, the lessons of history may offer us some relief and positive hope for the future, says BOVE. Joining the CONVERSATION is our host, JOHN AIDAN BYRNE

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