For those, like me, who are number challenged (yes, I did ask on Twitter yesterday for someone to please tell me what $50,000,000,000 was “in words”), this simple illustration should bring the budget crisis “home.”
Here are the big numbers:
• United States Tax revenue: $2,170,000,000,000
• Fed budget: $3,820,000,000,000
• New debt: $ 1,650,000,000,000
• National debt: $14,271,000,000,000
• Recent budget cut: $ 38,500,000,000
Now, remove 8 zeros and pretend it’s a household budget:
• Annual family income: $21,700
• Money the family spent: $38,200
• New debt on the credit card: $16,500
• Outstanding balance on credit card: $142,710
• Total budget cuts: $385
Got it?
(I lifted this from a Facebook friend. I haven’t verified the numbers but even if they’re not entirely accurate, they still paint a pretty clear picture)
