The federal budget is in serious trouble and could leave the country vulnerable. If the U.S. goes into bankruptcy, foreign countries could gain political power by purchasing our debt. So goes a common critique from politicians worried about operating while in debt. Others feel that this focus on debt is a distraction from real economic problems such as the uneven distribution of wealth. This anthology looks at the nuances of the federal budget. Experts consider the causes of the deficit and the future prospects for recovery. Readers learn about abstract concepts of economics through easily-comprehensible examples from current events.