1. National Debt and the Individual Jonathan Pitchford

2. The individual in the American Dream As individuals in the United States of America there are certain things that we believe to be part of the life experience. Those being that if we work hard enough and if we follow the laid out path that our future will be bright and our freedoms secure.

3. The Federal Government Yet in order for that dream to be reality there are many assistance programs that function within the United States of America. Food Assistance (110 Billion in 2013). Education of a student (avg. 10615 per year). Medical assistance programs as well as higher education funding in the area of Stafford student loans, Pell grants (40 billion). These are just a few of the programs that propel our citizens forward.

4. The Truth Unfortunately the future is not what it once was. Those needed programs of federal assistance have already been on the receiving end of cuts. The problem of allowing continual spending and debt to exceed production is taking away our Nation’s dream one step at a time. If things continue the dream will fade away.

5. The Sad TruthThere are many who do not believe the future as I am describing it here. With the government placing itself further into the deficit many are unaware of just how dire the situation has become.The Federal Deficit for 2013 alone was 759 billion.The Total Federal Debt is at present 16,887,568,978. This measure is always going up and you can be sadly startled seeing it for yourself on the US debt clock at www.usdebtclock.orgThe newborn are waking up in unthinkable debt At present those waking up as an individual estimate owe 55,000 which is gaining interest.

6. What does this means for the individual? What this means for the individual is if federal and in some cases state spending continues unchecked then the loss of federal assistance programs is inevitable. Inflation The End of Federal Assistance Programs Steep economic downturn Possible government collapse and shift.

7. Changes that have to take Place Sufficient damage has been done that there are no quick fixes. Instead we need to make effective changes. Create a debt ceiling law Create a locked in strategy to pay off the present debt –also place this into law Create effective cuts that while difficult to do so will safeguarding those programs that enable the U.S. to dream Consider a unified currency (IMF)

8. Take your stance against unsuitable Federal Spending. Be involved, this entire situation has come about as people before us have missed out on their responsibility to make the educated decision to be heard. Never think that your voice your vote don’t matter. We are all in this together , have awareness and take part.

9. CITATIONS Phil Oliff, Vincent Palacios, Ingrid Johnson, and MIchaelLeachman. Recent Deep State Higher Education Cuts May Harm Students and the Economy for Years to Come . n.d.http://www.cbpp.org/cms/?fa=view&id=3927 Ginn, Jennifer. Why Johnny Can't Ride the Bus. n.d.http://www.csg.org/pubs/capitolideas/sept_oct_2012/educationbudgetcuts.aspx Spross, Jeff. Is the debt Crisis Real? February 25, 2013 http://jobsanger.blogspot.com/2013/02/is-debt-crisis-real.html James, Jed. Facts about the debt ceiling crisis http://www.policymic.com/articles/23941/facts-about-the-debt-ceiling-crisis-2013 Plummer, Brad. Who receives government benefits, in six charts http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2012/09/18/who-receives-benefits-from-the-federal-government-in-six-charts/