"The numbers" don't really mean anything any more.
So long as things continue to operate from one day to the next, they will continue to mean nothing.
Only when things STOP working, will those numbers count for something...
Well they do in the scheme of things, if the debt is so unsustainable, that payments start exceeding the naton's ability to meet our budgetary obligations. There will be a dominoing effect with: (1) US $ no longer being accepted or used as world reference currency (2) The fulcrum of debt/ inflation explodes where standard of living rapidly declines. (3) US defaults on debt, causing worldwide spiraling depression. (4) US $ becomes next to worthelss, and nation converts to an economy based on precious metals and staples as units of measure for commerce. (5) Political anarchy takes place, with many possible outcomes. It might take the form of a drastic new form of government, it might be a splintered United States, or even foreign take over.
What is that tipping point? We all know we can't spend like drunken sailors forever, on a limitless credit card. I don't think anyone knows that exact tipping point, except it won't be too far into the future. I hate to be a dystopian doomsdayer, but we are dangerously close to painting ourselves into a corner. And the end result won't be pretty.