Can you name the top five line items of the US federal budget? I think knowing this answer is a pre-requisite to seriously participating in the ongoing discussions/debates over what should be done about the US deficit/debt. That's because cuts will have to come from these items to be significant in the long term.
I've been asking this question of people for years because I personally think it is important for a wide range of issues, including thinking about who to elect for President. I think people are most shocked at how small education is (2%), and after that science/medical R&D (3%).
Last night I went searching for the best info-graphic explanation. The following is the best one I found, which I got from here.
Depending on what you count in"Safety Net Programs", interest payments can be 4th or 5th. I think that understates its importance, though, because of how fast it is currently growing. If unchecked, it will be 10-12% in only a few years.
