Tell Marketplace: What do you want to know about the U.S. credit downgrade? - Public Insight Network | Marketplace

Tell Marketplace: What do you want to know about the U.S. credit downgrade?

On Friday, August 5, Standard & Poor's downgraded the United States' credit rating to AA+, judging the resolution of the U.S. debt ceiling wrangling insufficient. China, the biggest foreign holder of U.S. debt, said on Saturday in a sharp warning that the U.S. needs to live within its means.

How do you feel about these events? What questions do you have about how all of this might affect you and your finances? Help Marketplace cover this unfolding story by sharing your insights and questions. Your comments will inform our reporting, and may be shared with our partner newsrooms in the Public Insight Network.

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Which of the following statements best describes your reaction to Standard & Poor's decision to downgrade the U.S. credit rating to AA+ and the reaction of the Asian markets?

Not interested. Not paying attention.
Paying attention. But not concerned. Not doing anything differently.
More annoyed than anything. Confident any fallout will be short-lived. Hoping the media doesn't make it worse.
Taking this seriously. Weighting my options. Waiting to see how this plays out over the next few days.
Worried. Seeking advice. Formulating a plan to protect myself.
Very worried. Not waiting for others to react. Taking action now.

Tell us more about your reaction.

The Standard & Poor's report cited acrimony in Washington as a reason for the downgrade. What's your take on the country's long-term fiscal problems and how confident are you that elected leaders in Washington will address them?

What is your take on the credit ratings agencies? Do they deserve your trust? Why or why not?

What questions do you have about the U.S credit rating cut, and for whom?

Now, we'd like to learn a little more about you and how these issues intersect with your life. Please check all of the following that apply to you:

I plan to buy a car within the next year
I plan to buy a house within the next year
I plan to take out a student loan within the next year
I plan to take out a business loan within the next year
I carry some credit card debt
I have a 401k
I have an adjustable rate mortgage
I own individual stocks

Are you planning any changes to your saving, spending, borrowing or investing plans based on recent news (or other factors)? Please be specific.

What else should we know about these issues? If you have special knowledge or expertise, please tell us about that here.

May we publish or broadcast your insights, along with your full name and location? (Your comments may be edited for length or clarity.)

Yes
No
Contact me first

Now, some questions to help give us a better sense of where you're coming from.

In what year were you born?

What do you do for work?

What is your household income?

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