Between 2007 and 2011 the federal budget deficit grew from $160.7 billion to $1,299.6 billion, and the national debt grew from $8.9 trillion to $14.8 trillion. (Figure 10.1: The ratio of debt to GDP, 1977-2011.)
In your post, differentiate the budget deficit from the national debt. How do you think the increases in the budget deficits and the national debt will affect the economy in the future?
Reference: Chapter 10, section 10.1: Debt and Deficits, and section 10.4: Do Deficits Matter?
Amacher Ryan & Pate Jennifer Principles of Macroeconomics 2012 Bridgeport Education.