All presidents have struggled with key economic issues that defined their times, and often impacted their success. Over time, presidents have had to navigate larger and more complex economies with ever-increasing federal budgets. George Washington oversaw a $7 million budget in 1794. The 2017 budget is more than 500,000 times that level at nearly 4 trillion dollars.

Economist and historian, Brian Becker, explores factors contributing to dramatic economic increases, including growing population, improved citizens’ output, and inflation as he reviews past presidents’ responses to these significant pressing economic issues in American history.

Becker also explains the “misery index” (the sum of the inflation rate and the unemployment rate), and praises President Ford for presiding over the most dramatic decline ever seen at that time in the misery index

Free Admission. Free Parking. Reception follows program.