The Incredible Shrining Deficit

US News & World Report ^ | 2-12-2007 | James Pethokoukis

[DredTennis]

It might be a bit cynical, not to mention premature, to call President Bush's new $2.9 trillion budget "dead on arrival." But the myriad proposals on everything from the Pentagon to the National Park Service are certainly going to be massaged a bit-mutilated in some cases, probably-by the new Democratic-controlled Congress. One thing you can bank on, though, is that when all is said and done, nixed and negotiated, Uncle Sam will still be in the red.

As the White House figures it, the federal government will be spending $244 billion more than it collects in 2007 (or about 1.8 percent of gross domestic product) and $239 billion in 2008 (or 1.6 percent of GDP). Still, those are hardly scary numbers for a $13.5 trillion economy. "The magnitude of the current deficit is nothing to be concerned about," says Jared Bernstein, an economist at the liberal Economic Policy Institute.

[Bigh4u2]

"Pay homage to your deficit shrine"

I think it's supposed to be 'shrink'.

But I like your version better!

LOL!

:0)

[familyop]

Thanks!

[familyop]

Or maybe I should be thaning you instead of thanking, in order to match the theme of the post and thread above. ;)

[Diana in Wisconsin]

"...this is what I get for trying to post with a squirming baby on my lap."

Well, that fact alone will endear you to many, many Freepers. We LOVE babies, and don't believe that they should be used for 'spare parts.' :)

[Bigh4u2]

lol!

[Dog Gone]

This thread

[groanup]

Save this thread for future reference for that baby. ;*)

[coloradan]

I hope you'll forgive me the indulgence of posting a serious reply. It might be so that the deficit is decreasing right now, but Bush's entitlement expansions, e.g. senior prescription drug benefit in medicare, are huge and will increasingly hit the bottom line in years to come. I think last year is a blip compared to those, so the celebration by R's, and the silence of D's, in light of the budget news, might be over soon anyway.

[azhenfud]

Oops - I thought he meant "SHINING".

[azhenfud]

Yep. The damage is beyond control....LOL.

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

See previous post by BJClinton which says it better than I could (and saves bandwidth--Thanks BJ!)

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1687525/posts

To: Responsibility2nd

Unnngh..not only is my beeber stuned but I was going through very series FR withdrawal. I bet there are a hugh number of FReepers suffering withdrawals. But everyone can stay clam, I've stocked-up plenty of beer for suck emergencies.

But can someone tell me Why Do My Fingers Smell Funny?

There, I feel better. Nothing like a pubic display of FReeper arcana to get rid of the jitters.

29 posted on 08/21/2006 3:28:08 PM CDT by BJClinton (What happens on Free Republic, stays on Google.)

[BJClinton]

Unnngh..not only is my beeber stuned but I was going through very series FR withdrawal. I bet there are a hugh number of FReepers suffering withdrawals. But everyone can stay clam, I've stocked-up plenty of beer for suck emergencies.

But can someone tell me Why Do My Fingers Smell Funny?

There, I feel better. Nothing like a pubic display of FReeper arcana to get rid of the jitters.

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

See previous post by BJClinton which says it better than I could (and saves bandwidth--Thanks BJ!)

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1687525/posts

To: Responsibility2nd

Unnngh..not only is my beeber stuned but I was going through very series FR withdrawal. I bet there are a hugh number of FReepers suffering withdrawals. But everyone can stay clam, I've stocked-up plenty of beer for suck emergencies.

But can someone tell me Why Do My Fingers Smell Funny?

There, I feel better. Nothing like a pubic display of FReeper arcana to get rid of the jitters.

29 posted on 08/21/2006 3:28:08 PM CDT by BJClinton (What happens on Free Republic, stays on Google.)

[BJClinton]

Unnngh..not only is my beeber stuned but I was going through very series FR withdrawal. I bet there are a hugh number of FReepers suffering withdrawals. But everyone can stay clam, I've stocked-up plenty of beer for suck emergencies.

But can someone tell me Why Do My Fingers Smell Funny?

There, I feel better. Nothing like a pubic display of FReeper arcana to get rid of the jitters.

[BJClinton]

Shrining deficit...not enough folks joining the Shriners?