With the national debt surging past $26 trillion, we asked top economists, analysts and policy makers why the deficit matters. Paul Krugman said the deficit doesn’t matter too much and said instead the great danger is that America spends too little. Danielle DiMartino Booth countered by saying such a large debt puts U.S. sovereignty at risk and Congress needs to step up. Mohammed El-Erian said we need to win the war against the threat of a global depression and secure economic peace by creating lasting and effective policy. Robert Reich thought now is just not the time to worry about the national debt. Watch the video to hear more.

Many arguing against aggressive stimulus spending from the federal government cite one critical reason: the national debt. Now totaling over $26.7 trillion, the U.S. debt-to-GDP ratio is one of the highest in the world.

Top economics and policymakers, however, are not concerned.

When asked about the staggering number, Nobel laureate Esther Duflo told CNB…