Subprime Nation

Since it began to give credit ratings to nations in 1917, Moody's has rated the United States  triple-A. U.S. Treasury bonds have been seen as the most secure investment on earth. When crises erupt, nervous money seeks out the world's great safe harbor, the United States. That reputation is now in peril.

Last week, Moody's warned that if the United States fails to rein in the soaring cost of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, the nation's credit rating will be down-graded within a decade. [US's triple-A credit rating 'under threat', Financial Times, January 11 2008]