article_snippet: The federal government's entire budget deficit for 2014 was $483 billion, making more than 25 per cent of that spending shortfall a self-inflicted wound.
article_snippet: And with the latest estimates of the total U.S. population hovering at 318.9 million, the misapplied spending represents nearly $392 for every man, woman and child living in America.
article_snippet: The level previously peaked at $121 billion in 2010 before dropping to $106 billion for the 2013 budget year.
highlights_snippet: Wasted money amounts to nearly $392 for every man, woman and child living in the US .
  