Why is America $9 Trillion in Debt? New Book Lays it Out in Plain English

'Where Does the Money Go?' from editors of award-winning, nonpartisan website PublicAgenda.org, published by Collins, hits bookshelves February 12

NEW YORK, Feb. 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Politicians across the political spectrum are presenting ideas for tax cuts and new spending while simultaneously calling for greater fiscal responsibility. More than ever, voters need help making sense of campaign rhetoric, and the authors of "Where Does the Money Go? Your Guided Tour to the Federal Budget Crisis" are just in time.

Published by Collins, an imprint of Harper Collins, "Where Does the Money Go?" is written by nonpartisan Public Agenda authors Jean Johnson and Scott Bittle and hits bookshelves February 12, 2008.

"Where Does the Money Go?" is a clear, entertaining, user-friendly sketch of the country's budget challenge aimed directly at the broad lay public. This irreverent and candid guide to the federal budget crisis explains - in plain English - exactly what our so-called leaders are largely ignoring. The authors decipher Beltway jargon on the budget and cover everything from the country's $9 trillion debt to the fact that, for 31 out of the last 35 years, the government has spent more than it has collected in taxes. The authors explain why elected leaders from both parties have so far failed to address this issue and what citizens can do about it now.

Scott Bittle, an award-winning journalist, is executive editor of PublicAgenda.org, a public affairs site twice-nominated for the prestigious Webby Award. Jean Johnson is executive vice president of Public Agenda and a founder of the Web site. She has written on public opinion and current issues for dozens of publications ranging from Education Week to USA Today.

"Where Does the Money Go?" is already generating a great deal of pre-release buzz, with the authors featured as special guest bloggers on The Huffington Post and scheduled to appear on popular programs such as Fresh Air with Terry Gross on National Public Radio the week of the book's release and on WNYC's The Leonard Lopate Show on Tuesday February 19. Updates about speaking appearances, book ordering and other information about the book are available at: http://publicagenda.org/wheredoesthemoneygo/