Where Does the Money Go?

"A book that manages to be entertaining and irreverent while serving as an informative primer on a subject that is crucial to the future of all Americans."

—New York Times

Before you vote in a national election, you should ask yourself: Where Does the Money Go? The acclaimed and essential work by Scott Biddle and Jean Johnson has been updated to reflect the recent financial crisis and the sweeping legislation passed by the Obama administration in its first years. Nonpartisan and well-balanced, Where Does the Money Go? is a candid, eye-opening, and delightfully irreverent guide to the ongoing federal budget crisis that breaks-down into plain English exactly what the Fat Cats in Washington, D.C. are arguing about.

This essential voter's guide goes beyond the headlines to answer the real questions:

• The Federal Budget Crisis: Learn why the U.S. is addicted to spending more than it takes in and what the worst-case scenario could mean for your mortgage, your investments, and your job.
• Social Security and Medicare: Get a straightforward explanation of the gigantic expenses looming as baby boomers retire—and why just balancing the budget isn't enough to solve the problem.
• Taxes and Spending in Plain English: A clear, jargon-free tour of where the money comes from and where it goes, from income taxes to the programs that make up the biggest slices of the pie.
• A Voter's Protection Kit: Arm yourself with a nonpartisan, well-balanced perspective so you can cut through the political rhetoric and make informed decisions in the next election.