Hypothetical Situation: The news reports that the pandemic has raised U.S. debt to levels not seen since World War II. The reporter then moves to interviews with prominent politicians. The response of one member of Congress to the debt situation is pessimistic. He argues, "The nation is in a debt crisis due to wasteful and reckless spending by politicians. The recent fiscal stimulus packages have been excessive and led to the current situation with our national debt. We need to have a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution." Discussion Prompts: What is the relationship between the federal budget deficit and the national debt? What actions would have been required of Congress and the President had a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution been ratified before the recent recession? What impact would that have had on the unemployment rate? How might a plan for reducing the federal budget deficit affect a college student and a middle-income family