In fiscal policy theory, economic growth during the good times should generate enough funds to payoff the debt incurred during economic contractions. In 1982, the U.S. had about $1trillion in debt. By 2020, the U.S. had about $23 trillion in debt. During these 28 years, the U.S. experienced 12 quarters of economic contraction and 100 quarters of economic expansion. Whichproblem of fiscal policy explains the growing debt problem for the U.S.