Our Problem in Simple Terms

Here's the problem: the numbers are so large they don't mean anything.  People don't understand the trouble that our country is in.

First, take the actual numbers.  Be forewarned, there are lots of zeroes.

U.S. 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 CUTS: $38,500,000,000

Then, by erasing eight zeroes from each number, change this into a picture of a family budget.  Now the problem jumps off the page at you.

ANNUAL FAMILY INCOME: $21,700
MONEY THE FAMILY SPENT: $38,200
NEW DEBT ON THE CREDIT CARD: $16,500
BALANCE ON THE CREDIT CARD: $142,710
RECENT BUDGET CUTS: $385

This family is in serious trouble!

Almost every voter in America could look at these smaller numbers and come up with the same solution that Paul Ryan has suggested for our country.  But because the national numbers are in billions and trillions, they don't really mean anything to most folks, and we continue to drive over a financial cliff.

[Thanks to Glenn Beck for the illustration]