$9 trillion and growing...

The US national debt has grown to over 9 trillion dollars. A wincing democratic congress was faced with raising the debt limit in March. Just servicing the interest on this enormous loan is the third largest expenditure for the federal government every year -- approaching 15% of the total budget each year. Tracking debt growth during presidential terms is interesting: Carter left office with a debt of around $1 trillion. Reagon/Bush quadrupled this amount in 12 years! Clinton slowed the growth to 33% over 8 years. Under W. Bush, it has increased by 57% over 7 years.