[Peach]

I'm glad you are voting for him. The alternatives are far worse. As well, I thought this chart did a little toward redeeming him regarding spending: Comparison of Bush Budget (FY’04) with Past Budget Averages

	FY’04 Proposal	Post-WWII Average (FY’46 - FY’02)	Clinton Budgets (FY’94 – FY’01)	G.H.W. Bush Budgets (FY’90 - FY’93)	Reagan Budgets (FY’82 - FY’89)
Total Receipts as percent of GDP	17.0%	17.9%	19.4%	17.7%	18.0%
Total outlays as percent of GDP	19.7%	19.5%	19.6%	22.0%	22.3%
Deficit (-)/Surplus as percent of GDP	-2.7%	-1.6%	-0.1%	-4.3%	-4.3%
Annual growth in total receipts (average % change from previous fiscal year, FY96 $)	2.7%	2.9%	4.9%	0.5%	2.5%
Annual growth in total outlays (average % change from previous fiscal year, FY96 $)	2.2%	2.3%	1.5%	1.9%	2.7%
Defense spending as a percent of total outlays	17.5%	35.5%	17.1%	21.7%	26.7%
Non-defense discretionary spending as a percent of total outlays	19.2%	19.4%*	17.6%	16.6%	17.1%
Net interest costs as percent of total outlays	7.9%	10.5%*	13.9%	14.5%	13.2%
Other mandatory spending as a percent of total outlays	55.4%	41.6%*	51.4%	46.2%	42.9%
Debt held by public at end of fiscal year as percent of GDP	36.9%	44.0%	43.0%	46.3%	36.7%
Gross Debt at end of fiscal year as percentof GDP	64.8%	56.2%	63.4%	61.8%	45.4%
* includes only data back to 1962 since the distinction between discretionary and mandatory began only in that year.

 

 

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[Huck]

I read that a lot of GOP congressman concerned about spending were complaining about using % of GDP as a basis. You know anything about that?

[possible]

Thanks, Peach. I appreciate the numbers. And I agree that the alternatives are far worse.

My concern is with credibility in the eyes of the American people. I fear President Bush has lost some.

[onedoug]

Thanks. That's interesting.

I wish I could find the article I read here on the day of the NEA announcement, which posited that our country at war has always seen "lavish" domestic agendas and spending as a function of our societal dynamism viewed internationally by both our friends and enemies.

I've looked for that piece since, but just can't find it again.

...But id did make me feel a little better about some of this stuff.