Bush administration projects record 2009 deficit

Sort of coincidental really. A thread started earlier had a link singing the praises of the voodoo theory of supply-side economics. Any honest person who pays attention to public policy knows that since supply-side was adopted by the conservative movement this country has been heaped w/ $10 trillion in debt (was about $1 trillion prior to supply-side). Yet, there's still a large, and somehow growing cohort of Americans, who promote tax cuts for the rich, very rich and unfathomably rich. Then when a report of even bigger deficits is released most people scratch their head and point to programs like Social Security and Medicare, which are separate from the regular budget and funded by the middle class for the middle class (at different stages of life albeit).

Doesn't make a lot of sense. But it does say something about where we're headed.

In other news our lousy neighbors to the north are set to be completely debt-free by I believe 2014. Debt reduction was written in to Canada's federal law last year. Bastards!

IMO here are the biggest problems we face today:

1) Dependency on foreign oil

2) Threat of terrorist strikes

3) Overspending by government (pork, unnecessary regulation & programs)

4) Social programs (SS & Welfare) that will either bankrupt the government or go bankrupt themselves unless real solutions are implemented.


I wouldn't say the threat of terrorist strikes is one of our biggest problems. However, it is made to look like our biggest problem, so that the powers can control the people through fear.

So, that would leave:

1.) Foreign Oil
-- The price of oil has risen more dramatically during Bush's term than at any other time in history. Demand is through the roof. I would guess a lot of the demand for oil is coming from our government and their operations in Iraq. The Bush administration lied about Iraq. That one's on them -- not the American public. While Bush isn't responsible for all of the increased demand, he's certainly responsible for a large part of it, and he's not doing anything to help the situation. He's only made it worse.

2.) Government Overspending
-- From the article:
"House Budget Committee Chairman John Spratt, D-S.C., said the new deficit figure confirms 'the dismal legacy of the Bush administration: under its policies, the largest surpluses in history have been converted into the largest deficits in history.'"

This administration spent $482 Billion (with a 'B') over the budget -- in one year! Never has this country overspent so much -- never. The previous record of $413 Billion was also set by Bush, in 2004.

It's hard to imagine how anyone could excuse Bush for that.

3.) Social Programs
-- I wouldn't just say social programs are one of our biggest problems. It's too general. Social programs can be great, and it's a shame that most of America's social programs are worthless. This is definitely not Bush's fault, but this problem pales in comparison to the previous two.


There are many more, but these are the first major ones that come to mind. How is President Bush responsible for these problems? Has he contributed to some, certainly, but there is a Congress. Bush is not a monarch. Don't we as the people that elect Congress and the President bear some of the responsibility as well?

I agree that the public is ultimately responsible. However, our government doesn't work the way it is supposed to, and what we are left with is what I like to call a "Virtual Monarchy". The people who make most of the important executive decisions -- the Presidential Cabinet -- are appointed, not elected. In addition, for any citizen to truly do their duty as a participant in the democracy, they would have to spend all of their time doing it. There is far too much going on in government every day.

Bush has exploited this country and its people to the fullest. He's reckless and ignorant -- a dangerous combination. Homeland Security is the biggest waste of tax dollars I have ever seen. Those of you who think Bush is not to blame for our current situation are just fooling yourselves. Bush is responsible for damn near every problem we face today. It will be such a relief to have him out of office. It still blows my mind that people elected him into office twice. Fools.
I have conceed that its both parties and everyone in DC which has grown goverment way past what it should have ever been. But if you want to play the blame game then OK. 2007 def was 170 bil this year 468 (something like that) and who controls spending now? If we look at when gas started shooting up in price, housing going to sh!t, economy, it was after the dems took control of congress. They also voted on all these spending bills which have us at such a deficit. Do I believe they are to blame for all of this? No, but I'm using your blame game. Maybe the dems are willing to let all of this happen so they can use it to win an election.

I have conceed that its both parties and everyone in DC which has grown goverment way past what it should have ever been. But if you want to play the blame game then OK. 2007 def was 170 bil this year 468 (something like that) and who controls spending now? If we look at when gas started shooting up in price, housing going to sh!t, economy, it was after the dems took control of congress. They also voted on all these spending bills which have us at such a deficit. Do I believe they are to blame for all of this? No, but I'm using your blame game. Maybe the dems are willing to let all of this happen so they can use it to win an election.

Well, I guess your reasoning doesn't work very well, considering that Republicans controlled both the Senate and the House (as well as the Presidency) during 2004 -- the worst budget deficit since 2008.

Republicans controlled the Senate and House from 2003 to 2007. When exactly do you think the housing market and gas prices started going to shit? Dems have had control for one year, the previous 4 years controlled by Republicans, and you want to blame the Dems? LOL.

For the record, I consider myself a Republican. However, I'm not partisan, and I blame those who I think are responsible -- regardless of political affiliation.

as a % it's not the biggest, but that is a pretty big number.

that doesn't even account for the 35 TRILLION in unfunded obligations to medicare...
washingtonpost.com (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/28/AR2008072802464.html?nav=slate)

I no longer am naive enough to believe that any politician or group of them has as an agenda, a genuine desire, and feasible plan to accomplish the general reduction of a govt (and the attendant waste) that is becoming more and more disfunctional, and an ever growing burden to the citizenry of the US.
TOOO much money involved, crossing too many hands.
I will vote, and I have been more personally involved than ever before in calling my elected officials, etc.
HOWEVER, I think the saddest testmonial of all is that, in the most powerful country on earth, that Obama, and Mccain are the best we can field?????

WASHINGTON (AP) — The next president will inherit a record budget deficit of $482 billion, according to a new Bush administration estimate released Monday.

More... (http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gMSVWqL3tikhx7L_ompt0hDXO-5AD9270KNG0)

A Democrat-controlled Congress will do that. :D

I wouldn't say the threat of terrorist strikes is one of our biggest problems. However, it is made to look like our biggest problem, so that the powers can control the people through fear.Terrorist strikes are and will continue to be a major threat for the forseeable future as long as fundamental Islamists are teaching that the U.S. is the "great Satan" and openly declare jihad against us. I guess 9/11, the first WTC attack, the USS Cole, Khobar (sp.) Towers, numerous attacks against U.S. embassies are just "made to look like problems". Let's not forget the subway attacks in England or the train attacks in Spain, all very real. When we take the view that these attacks are not a threat and ignore the problem it only grows worse.


1.) Foreign Oil
-- The price of oil has risen more dramatically during Bush's term than at any other time in history. Demand is through the roof. I would guess a lot of the demand for oil is coming from our government and their operations in Iraq. The Bush administration lied about Iraq. That one's on them -- not the American public. While Bush isn't responsible for all of the increased demand, he's certainly responsible for a large part of it, and he's not doing anything to help the situation. He's only made it worse.
Bush got bad intel due to our Human Intelligence network being dismantled by the Clinton Admin (not to say he still wouldn't have made poor decisions with better intel) and made some strategically poor decisions in the execution of the Iraq War. However if he lied, so did a majority of the Congress and several leading Democrats.

This rise is similar to the spike during the Carter Administration. Many factors go into the oil price, the actual use of oil by the U.S. military is not even on the radar as a major factor. The major factors spiking the oil price are increased demand from China, India and other developing countries (I believe U.S. demand has gone down slightly or remained constant over the last year or so) and unrest/instability to the oil supply, Iran/Israel potential war, Venezula - Chavez, political instability in Nigeria. The U.S. involvement in Iraq has been a constant since 2003.

Our problem with the dependency on foreign oil is still the same, spike or not in oil prices. Congress hasn't approved (Repub or Dem controlled) drilling in key areas where we know there are vast reserves, new refineries, new nuclear power plants, greater research into new power sources other than combustible engines. This should've been addressed aggressively after the spike in oil prices and the Mid-East turmoil in the Carter years and hasn't been.

Decreasing dependence on foreign oil will also greatly reduce the U.S. dollars from funding many governments hostile to the U.S.


2.) Government Overspending
-- From the article:
"House Budget Committee Chairman John Spratt, D-S.C., said the new deficit figure confirms 'the dismal legacy of the Bush administration: under its policies, the largest surpluses in history have been converted into the largest deficits in history.'"

This administration spent $482 Billion (with a 'B') over the budget -- in one year! Never has this country overspent so much -- never. The previous record of $413 Billion was also set by Bush, in 2004.

It's hard to imagine how anyone could excuse Bush for that.
Nothing like using a quote from a Democrat to state a case against Bush....Pretty hypocritical of the Chariman of the House Budget Committee to blast Bush for the budget deficits. His committee forwards the final House version of the approved budget to the House floor for a vote. The CONGRESS must pass the budget, they have the ultimate control on the Gov't purse-strings. For him to blast Bush on this is ridiculous, it's like two guys robbing a bank, getting caught, and the gunman who went into the bank puts all the blame on the getaway driver. They are both very responsible.


3.) Social Programs
-- I wouldn't just say social programs are one of our biggest problems. It's too general. Social programs can be great, and it's a shame that most of America's social programs are worthless. This is definitely not Bush's fault, but this problem pales in comparison to the previous two.

Social Security, Medicare & Medicaid are the biggest expenditures of the Federal government each year (close to 50%). By no means are these problems that pale in comparison to the other two. The solutions will take some work, but we've got to take action now and not push this off on future generations.

I agree that the public is ultimately responsible. However, our government doesn't work the way it is supposed to, and what we are left with is what I like to call a "Virtual Monarchy". The people who make most of the important executive decisions -- the Presidential Cabinet -- are appointed, not elected. In addition, for any citizen to truly do their duty as a participant in the democracy, they would have to spend all of their time doing it. There is far too much going on in government every day.But the President that appoints the cabinet is elected, and the Congress and Judicial systems do have significant oversight of the Executive branch.

I no longer am naive enough to believe that any politician or group of them has as an agenda, a genuine desire, and feasible plan to accomplish the general reduction of a govt (and the attendant waste) that is becoming more and more disfunctional, and an ever growing burden to the citizenry of the US.
TOOO much money involved, crossing too many hands.
I will vote, and I have been more personally involved than ever before in calling my elected officials, etc.
HOWEVER, I think the saddest testmonial of all is that, in the most powerful country on earth, that Obama, and Mccain are the best we can field?????
I agree with what you said the problem is that Americans are turning more and more to the goverment to solve their/our problems. The fact is that goverment only adds to the problem instead of solving them. The federal gov needs to stick to roads, military, and maybe a few other things and let the state goverment solve the problems of each states needs. Some people may think I have left off education but all the federal goverment does is eat away the funds. So for every dollar we send to them they send back a little change and they really have done nothing to improve education. McCain And Obama both are just running on platforms to expain the federal goverments role in our lives and its not going to help one bit.

I agree with what you said the problem is that Americans are turning more and more to the goverment to solve their/our problems. The fact is that goverment only adds to the problem instead of solving them. The federal gov needs to stick to roads, military, and maybe a few other things and let the state goverment solve the problems of each states needs. Some people may think I have left off education but all the federal goverment does is eat away the funds. So for every dollar we send to them they send back a little change and they really have done nothing to improve education. McCain And Obama both are just running on platforms to expain the federal goverments role in our lives and its not going to help one bit.
YOU are correct!
Every time I hear a phrase or utterance that implies "the Fed should take care of that", it makes me cringe