The Debt Nightmare Returns Listen Download Embed Share Share this on Facebook (Opens in a new window) Share this on Twitter (Opens in a new window) Share this via Email the National Debt Clock after it was restarted July 11, 2002 in New York City. The digital sign was turned off two years earlier when the federal government had a budget surplus. ( Mario Tama / Getty ) Produced by Ellen Frankman Produced by PRI and WNYC