The Deficit: As Bad as Advertised

As expected, the White House and the Congressional Budget Office are out with new projections showing the annual deficit soaring to nearly $1.6 trillion and the national debt rising by $7.4 trillion to $9 trillion over the next ten years.

The numbers change, but the reasons don't: the government simply can't cover rising health care costs (even without reform) and the retirement of the baby boomers.

We've got decisions to make, and fortunately, we've got options. Our Students Face Up to the Nation's Finances program and our running analysis of the deficit and national debt can help you get a better understanding of this problem, so we can all begin thinking about, and acting on, solutions.