In Pictures: 2011 Budget Chart Book Illustrates Our Fiscal Future

Kathryn Nix / May 02, 2011

America’s financial future is at a crossroads.  While Congress debates the right path to balance the budget and restore order to the nation’s fiscal house, now more than ever, citizens must understand the problem and what is at stake.

The Heritage Foundation’s special preview of the 2011 Federal Budget Chart Book provides a user-friendly way to learn about the federal budget using pictures.

Debt and Deficits Chart 1 shows that the United States’ debt is set to skyrocket unprecedented levels due to looming runaway deficit spending.  As shown in Chart 3, growing debt increases the amount the nation owes in interest, which represents taxpayer dollars which could be spent on other priorities.  As Congress prepares to once again address the debt ceiling, Americans should take note that the need to do so is occurring more frequently than ever, as Chart 6 depicts. (more…)