Why Are We Raising the Debt Ceiling?

May 20, 2013

A drink limit at a party prevents dangerous driving, and a debt limit prevents an unhealthy economy. So why then in the last 10 years have we raised the debt ceiling 13 times and added on more than $10 trillion in debt?

Tags:budget, debt, debt ceiling, debt limit, deficit, national debt, politicians, spending, Washington

Three Cent Solution February 22, 2013

Three Cent Solution

February 22, 2013

Washington is about to undergo an automatic spending cut of $85 billion that has some worried about its impact on the economy. That impact could be avoided if Washington could cut 3 cents on every dollar it spends as an alternative.

Tags:budget, debt, deficit, sequester, spending, Washington

Why Are We Raising the Debt Ceiling? May 20, 2013 America Speaks November 1, 2012

America Speaks

November 1, 2012

Public Notice today released a comprehensive polling analysis memo showing bipartisan concern over debt and government spending, especially among Independent voters and middle-class families, key demographics in the presidential campaign.

Tags:economy, Government Spending, higher taxes, national debt, polling, Washington

Three Cent Solution February 22, 2013 A Not-so-Sweet Sixteen September 13, 2012

A Not-so-Sweet Sixteen

September 13, 2012

Last week the national debt surpassed $16 trillion for the first time in history. The portion every American now has of the national debt is $50,900 per person. But how did we get here? In our latest infographic we look at the facts behind the national debt's ups and downs. Take a look!

America Speaks November 1, 2012 Poll Infographic: Economics Before Politics August 24, 2012

Poll Infographic: Economics Before Politics

August 24, 2012

Public Notice today released the results of a national survey of likely voters. Jobs and the economy, along with federal spending and debt, topped the list of voter concerns.

Tags:debt, economy, federal spending, jobs

A Not-so-Sweet Sixteen September 13, 2012 An Olympic Sized Debt August 6, 2012

An Olympic Sized Debt

August 6, 2012

The United State may be giving it their all at the Olympics, but our preformance back home is another story. At no point in time, even shortly following WWII, has the amount of debt we have in relation to the size of the economy (GDP) been as large as it is this year. Take a look at our latest infographic above to see the Olympic size debt that we have put ourselves in.

Tags:debt to GDP ratio, federal budget deficit, national debt, olympics

Poll Infographic: Economics Before Politics August 24, 2012 Grinding to a Halt July 11, 2012

Grinding to a Halt

July 11, 2012

Automatic spending cuts in Washington may not be automatic at all. While Congress promises to make cuts, history tells a different story. Check out our latest infographic on the history of automatic cuts in Washington and where they are today.

Tags:automatic cuts, Congress, medicaid, medicare, sustainable growth rate

An Olympic Sized Debt August 6, 2012 Danger on the Third Rail June 21, 2012

Danger on the Third Rail

June 21, 2012

For far too long politicians have considered entitlement spending to be the third-rail of politics: touch it, and your future in politics is off the tracks. With a towering debt of nearly $16 trillion, Americans are ready for a fact-based conversation about the biggest drivers of federal spending.

Tags:entitlement spending, entitlements, Government Spending, mandatory spending, medicaid, medicare, social security

Grinding to a Halt July 11, 2012 Your Budget, Washington's Fault? June 12, 2012

Your Budget, Washington's Fault?

June 12, 2012

Today we release the results of our most recent poll that makes it clear Americans are hurting. And while there may be other factors at play, our poll finds that Americans see Washington's irresponsible policies as playing a large part in it.

Tags:american households, cost of living, economy, family budgets, federal debt, net wealth, Washington policies

Danger on the Third Rail June 21, 2012 The American Dream May 18, 2012

The American Dream

May 18, 2012

As families struggle to improve their finances, what about the American Dream? Will the next generation be better off? Are families able to make ends meet? In our latest infographic we look at how families view the American Dream and whether or not the dream is still alive today. Take a look!

Tags:American Dream, Economic recession, national debt, next generation

Your Budget, Washington's Fault? June 12, 2012 We Aren't Greece...Yet May 11, 2012

We Aren't Greece...Yet

May 11, 2012

The protests in Greece have shown that Greeks are unsatisfied with the economy. Americans too are in desperate need of jobs and demand deficit reduction from Washington. Check out our latest inforgraphic on the statistics of the two countries and their three main parallels.

Tags:deficit reduction, fiscal crisis, Government Spending, Greece, United States

The American Dream May 18, 2012 Are Taxes the Ticket? Take 2 April 10, 2012

Are Taxes the Ticket? Take 2

April 10, 2012

In our second installment of "Are taxes the ticket?" we bring you an updated breakdown of the tax brackets, a look at the "Buffett Rule," and more! Check it out.

Tags:Buffett rule, medicaid, medicare, social security, tax brackets, taxes

We Aren't Greece...Yet May 11, 2012 Women and the Economy: Leading Ladies March 31, 2012

Women and the Economy: Leading Ladies

March 31, 2012

Check out our latest infographic covering the accomplishments of women in the economy!

Are Taxes the Ticket? Take 2 April 10, 2012 Fiscal Year 2013 Budget By the Numbers March 20, 2012

Fiscal Year 2013 Budget By the Numbers

March 20, 2012

Take a look at our breakdown of the proposed fiscal year 2013 budgets!

Tags:budget, defense spending, deficit, medicaid reform, medicare reform, sequestration, social security reform, spending, taxes

Women and the Economy: Leading Ladies March 31, 2012 A look back at the Budget for Fiscal Year 2011 March 1, 2012

A look back at the Budget for Fiscal Year 2011

March 1, 2012

We break down spending in fiscal year 2011, into easy to understand diagrams and give you some real world examples of how you could spend $3.6 trillion dollars.

Tags:Congress, debt, deficit, Fiscal Year 2011, house of representatives, Senate, spending, wasteful spending

Fiscal Year 2013 Budget By the Numbers March 20, 2012 The Path For A Budget February 13, 2012

The Path For A Budget

February 13, 2012

A simple guide to understanding how Budgets are passed each year. Or at least how they should be.

Tags:appropriations committee, budget, budget deadline, budget process, fiscal year

A look back at the Budget for Fiscal Year 2011 March 1, 2012 Will Congress block automatic cuts? January 17, 2012

Will Congress block automatic cuts?

January 17, 2012

Congress can, and routinely does, block deficit reduction measures from taking effect. Our latest infographic examines one such example.

Tags:deficit reduction, Government Spending, infographic, SGR, sustainable growth rate, sustainable growth rate formula

The Path For A Budget February 13, 2012 Congress: our return on investment December 28, 2011

Congress: our return on investment

December 28, 2011

Whether it's a mother buying groceries for her family or an investor buying stocks, it all comes down to return on investment.

Tags:Congress, Congressional pay, Congressional salaries, effective governing, Government Spending, infographic, irresponsible governing, public pay, taxpayer funded

Will Congress block automatic cuts? January 17, 2012 Dropped balls: a glance at shirked responsbilities December 20, 2011

Dropped balls: a glance at shirked responsbilities

December 20, 2011

Our latest infographic takes a glance at what has slipped through lawmakers' butterfingers over the past year.

Tags:appropriations bill, budget, credit downgrade, debt ceiling, dropped balls, fiscal irresponsibility, infographic, irresponsible governing, supercommittee

Congress: our return on investment December 28, 2011 Costly expiring provisions December 8, 2011

Costly expiring provisions

December 8, 2011

How is the economy like your refrigerator? If you're not careful certain important provisions will expire. Our latest infographic takes a closer look.

Tags:alternative minimum tax, AMT, Doc fix, expiring policies, expiring provisions, government funding, infographic, medicare, payroll tax cut, tax extenders, unemployment insurance

Dropped balls: a glance at shirked responsbilities December 20, 2011 The evolution of elections December 1, 2011

The evolution of elections

December 1, 2011

From the rise of social media, primary news sources, and issues of importance, candidates have had to change how they speak to their constituents.

Tags:Congress, Economic Issues, economy, elections, infographic, issues of importance, voters

Costly expiring provisions December 8, 2011 Social Security: a snapshot of its finances November 15, 2011

Social Security: a snapshot of its finances

November 15, 2011

Our Social Security infographic, part of our Budget Briefing Book, breaks down the sad state of the program's finances.

Tags:budget briefing book, financial future, Government Overspending, infographic, mandatory spending, social security

The evolution of elections December 1, 2011 An economic sugar high October 31, 2011

An economic sugar high

October 31, 2011

You know that feeling when you eat too much Halloween candy? It's a little bit like what happens when the government spends too much.

Tags:discretionary spending, Government Spending, Halloween, infographic, irresponsible spending, mandatory spending, national debt, tax revenue

Social Security: a snapshot of its finances November 15, 2011 A closer look at Medicare October 13, 2011

A closer look at Medicare

October 13, 2011

Today, we give you a sneak peek at one of our forthcoming Budget Briefing Book's infographics - a closer look at Medicare.

Tags:budget briefing book, entitlement programs, entitlement spending, Government Spending, infographic, mandatory spending, medicaid, medicare, social security, unsustainable spending

An economic sugar high October 31, 2011 Making spending personal October 6, 2011

Making spending personal

October 6, 2011

What if Americans took their cue from the federal government and spent far more than what they take in?

Tags:Government Overspending, Government Spending, household income, household spending, irresponsible spending, making spending personal, personal spending, Spending just got personal

A closer look at Medicare October 13, 2011 Our spending superheroes? September 22, 2011

Our spending superheroes?

September 22, 2011

Americans are holding out for a hero on spending. Maybe even a superhero.

Tags:debt ceiling agreement, debt super-committee, Government Spending, infographic, spending cuts, super committee

Making spending personal October 6, 2011 Spending and Defending September 16, 2011

Spending and Defending

September 16, 2011

Our spending superheroes? September 22, 2011 Regulators, mount up September 12, 2011

Regulators, mount up

September 12, 2011

Spending and Defending September 16, 2011 Back to School August 31, 2011

Back to School

August 31, 2011

In the midst of appropriations season, with one big deadline already missed, we take a look at what Congress has left on its to-do list.

Tags:appropriations, back to school, budget deadline, Congress, federal budget, Government Spending, infographic, irresponsible governing, responsible budgeting

Regulators, mount up September 12, 2011 When is a cut, a cut? (part 3) August 25, 2011

When is a cut, a cut? (part 3)

August 25, 2011

The debt ceiling agreement reached by Congress deal included a spending cap on discretionary outlays. Sounds good, right?

Tags:Congress, debt ceiling agreement, discretionary spending, Government Spending, infographic, irresponsible spending, spending caps, spending cuts

Back to School August 31, 2011 When is a cut, a cut? (part 2) August 23, 2011

When is a cut, a cut? (part 2)

August 23, 2011

The debt ceiling debate ended as Congress reached an agreement to raise the limit and cut spending. But what do these cuts address?

Tags:debt ceiling, debt ceiling deal, discretionary spending, Government Overspending, Government Spending, infographic, mandatory spending, national debt, spending cuts

When is a cut, a cut? (part 3) August 25, 2011 When is a cut, a cut? August 18, 2011

When is a cut, a cut?

August 18, 2011

The debt ceiling debate ended as Congress reached an agreement to raise the limit and cut spending. But is it fair to really call those spending reductions cuts?

Tags:data visualization, debt ceiling, debt ceiling agreement, debt limit, Government Spending, infographic, spending cuts, spending reform, unsustainable spending

When is a cut, a cut? (part 2) August 23, 2011 American public and the debt ceiling June 13, 2011

American public and the debt ceiling

June 13, 2011

Washington is in the midst of a heated debate over the debt ceiling. Our latest national poll gauged how the public feels about the preeminent spending debate in Washington.

Tags:debt ceiling, debt limit, deficit, Government Spending, infographic, National poll, national survey, new poll, poll, spending cuts, survey

When is a cut, a cut? August 18, 2011 The history of the debt ceiling May 20, 2011

The history of the debt ceiling

May 20, 2011

Our latest infographic visualizes how Washington's spending addiction has forced Congress to raise the debt ceiling with increased frequency.

Tags:Congress, debt ceiling, debt limit, Government Overspending, Government Spending, infographic, national debt

American public and the debt ceiling June 13, 2011 Was royal wedding an economic boom or bust? April 28, 2011

Was royal wedding an economic boom or bust?

April 28, 2011

Will the royal wedding be a boom or a bust? We took a closer look in our latest infographic.

Tags:Boom or Bust, Britain, British royalty, data visualization, Government Spending, infographic, kate middleton, prince william, royal wedding, wedding

The history of the debt ceiling May 20, 2011 Are taxes the ticket? April 18, 2011

Are taxes the ticket?

April 18, 2011

Some have suggested we should tax our way out of the hole. Beyond the question of whether we should, there's a more important question: can we?

Tags:bankrupting america, Government Spending, infographic, spending cuts, spending increases, tax cuts, tax increases, taxes

Was royal wedding an economic boom or bust? April 28, 2011 Budgeting with band-aids April 5, 2011

Budgeting with band-aids

April 5, 2011

In our latest infographic, we've visualized Congress' irresponsible history of budgeting with band-aids.

Tags:Congress, continuing resolution, CR, government shutdown, infographic, spending cuts, temporary continuing resolution, temporary funding

Are taxes the ticket? April 18, 2011 Fashionomics: a study in the state of our economy and dress March 25, 2011

Fashionomics: a study in the state of our economy and dress

March 25, 2011

From skirts to neckties to lipstick, the state of the economy is echoed in our state of dress.

Tags:debt, deficit, economy, fashion, fashionomics, hemline index, infographic, state of the economy, struggling economy

Budgeting with band-aids April 5, 2011 A study in waste: duplicative government programs March 4, 2011

A study in waste: duplicative government programs

March 4, 2011

Our latest infographic visualizes a new report by the GAO has taking aim at costly government redundancy.

Tags:bureaucracy, duplicative programs, GAO, Government Accountability Office, Government Spending, government waste, infographic, wasteful spending

Fashionomics: a study in the state of our economy and dress March 25, 2011 Budget Process: a study of swollen spending February 17, 2011

Budget Process: a study of swollen spending

February 17, 2011

If you've ever visited Bankrupting America before, you know the government has a history of spending beyond its means (and if you haven't...well...it does). But where exactly do all those trillions go?

Tags:a scrutiny of swollen spending, budget, budget breakdown, budget process, Budget Process: a scrutiny of swollen spending, deficits, discretionary spending, federal budget, Government Overspending, Government Spending, infographic, mandatory spending

A study in waste: duplicative government programs March 4, 2011 Timeline of Tardiness: Washington's budget process revealed February 10, 2011

Timeline of Tardiness: Washington's budget process revealed

February 10, 2011

Just like you, the government has to come up with a budget to decide what to - and what to not - spend money on. But how do they decide how much money goes to what?

Tags:budget committee, budget process, CBO, Congressional Budget Office, continuing resolution, federal budget, house budget committee, infographic, President's budget, senate budget committee

Budget Process: a study of swollen spending February 17, 2011 An interactive timeline of broken promises January 24, 2011

An interactive timeline of broken promises

January 24, 2011

"I will cut government spending." Yeah, yeah we've heard that one before. From Nixon to Obama; Gingrich to Pelosi, politicians have always talked-the-talk but they've rarely walked-the-walk.

Timeline of Tardiness: Washington's budget process revealed February 10, 2011 Beyond the Headlines: the truth about our jobs crisis, visualized October 12, 2010