LA, you and I have discussed surpluses/deficits on another thread, but I wanted to let you know the link you provided shows 4 years of surplus under the Clinton years. 1998-2001. So... do you use this tax reference when it suits your interest here, but then use another tax reference when it suits your interest in other areas? My simple peanut brain thinks I already know the answer.
Originally Posted by kcbigpapa
From the link I posted in the other thread (from the treasury department), intragovernmental transfers are as follows:
1998 - 166.5 billion
1999 - 222.9 billion
2000 - 247.0 billion
Compared with the so called surplus:
1998 - $69 bil less $166 bil = deficit $97 billion
1999 - $223 bil less $125 bil = deficit $98 billion
2000 - $247 bil less $236 bil = deficti $11 billion
I'm not sure how this could be any clearer. These tranfers are counted as reciepts, but not as public debt.
The total debt of this country includes 4.5 trillion in intragovernmental transfers. Its common knowledge, easy to look up, I've looked it up left right and sideways. I know you are afraid of somehow losing face, and keep harping on it....but just watch the news in the upcoming weeks. The SS fund went in the red for the first time ever last month, and the empty IOU's will be front and center in the news again.
So, to get it straight:
During the Clinton years, there was a surplus in the PUBLIC DEBT. There was a deficit in the GOVERNMENT DEBT, which brough a deficit to the TOTAL DEBT.
Again, from the treasury department, the total debt outstanding. Notice it grows every year, even during Clinton's term:
09/30/1999 5,656,270,901,615.43
09/30/1998 5,526,193,008,897.62
09/30/1997 5,413,146,011,397.34
09/30/1996 5,224,810,939,135.73
09/29/1995 4,973,982,900,709.39
09/30/1994 4,692,749,910,013.32
09/30/1993 4,411,488,883,139.38
09/30/1992 4,064,620,655,521.66
09/30/1991 3,665,303,351,697.03
How can I say it any other way.