The National Debt: From FDR (1941) to Clinton (1996) [Library Binding]

Robert E. Kelly (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0786406224 | ISBN-13: 978-0786406227 | Publication Date: February 2000

America's debt-$5.2 trillion in 1996-is serious business. Although contemporary press coverage hovers over the story of annual budgets and the associated deficits (and rare surpluses), not much attention is given to the overall national debt and even less to the interest spent serving it. "It's like worrying about the five dollars you borrowed last week and ignoring the mortgage you can't afford," says the author. And federal politicians are generally as impotent to control the debt as they are uninformed about its nature. After tracing the fluctuations in the finances of the country from its beginning until 1940, the administrations of the next 11 presidents-Roosevelt through Clinton-and the annual budget deficits and the interest expenses that fed the national debt are examined in detail. The startup debt of each administration is shown in detail, then restated in 1983 and 1995 dollars. The change in debt through the end of the administration is then analyzed as to what areas of government incurred overspending and how much was overspent. Also discussed are major events or situations, foreign and domestic, that affected fiscal policies and fueled the urge to overspend.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Former consultant Robert E. Kelly, is a writer living in Peabody, Massachusetts.

Product Details

• Library Binding: 279 pages
• Publisher: McFarland & Company (February 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786406224
• ISBN-13: 978-0786406227
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,442,164 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating read, May 13, 2000

By 

Barbara Anderson (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The National Debt: From FDR (1941) to Clinton (1996) (Library Binding)

Every serious political activist should own a copy of "The National Debt from FDR (1940) to Clinton (1996) by C.L.T. member Robert E. Kelly, with a foreword by Jeff Jacoby, now available in bookstores. A fascinating read with evereything you really want to know about the federal government in one compact place.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent review of the growth of the welfare state., June 6, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The National Debt: From FDR (1941) to Clinton (1996) (Library Binding)

Well written and documented with numerous tables, this book makes a compelling case for limiting debt by reducing citizen's dependence on the government and supporting private sector growth. Recommended for informed general readers; upper-division graduates and up.