DEMS STILL REFUSE TO USE TRUE BUDGET NUMBERS!!!!

[ZombieGak]

Even when these numbers could work in their favor, the Dems are complicit in concealing from the public the true extent of the federal deficits.

From: http://www.democrats.org/a/2006/01/the_bush_defici.php

2001: Bush Deliberately Underestimated Future Deficits. In 2001, Bush predicted massive budget surpluses over the following four years, in order to make the case that we could afford his tax cut plan. Instead, each of those years will suffer an actual or likely deficit. In 2001, Bush predicted a $231 billion surplus in 2002 (reality: $158 billion deficit), $246 billion surplus in 2003 (reality: $375 billion deficit), $268 billion surplus in 2004 (reality: $422 billion projected deficit), and $273 billion surplus in 2005 (reality: $348 billion projected deficit).

The TRUE deficit numbers are NOT the unified budget numbers. That hides all the borrowing from the federal trust funds. The TRUE deficit is the ON BUDGET deficit. Here are those numbers from page 22 of this report: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/fy2007/pdf/hist.pdf

1999: +1.920 BILLION
2000: +86.422 BILLION
2001: -32.445 BILLION
2002: -317.417 BILLION
2003: -538.418 BILLION
2004: -567.961 BILLION
2005: -493.611 BILLION
2006: -602.141 BILLION estimated

[BillZBubb]

1. It's nothing sinister. The number commonly referred to has always

been the unified budget number. So, the Democrats are just following that tradition. I agree, though, they need to change that and start talking in the more realistic terms. I don't think the On Budget numbers are the true deficit either, because of a lot of "off budget" tricks.

[ZombieGak]

3. they can't educate the public if they use misleading numbers

Of course since historically we're usually having a budget deficit... this policy makes both parties look more responsible than they are.

Yet if the Dems intend to claim they are the party of fiscal responsibility... they have to stop using bullsh*t numbers.

[ZombieGak]

4. what off-budget tricks?

If any off-budget monies are borrowed for on-budget expenses, then that is added to the intragovernmental debt.

[Capn Sunshine]

6. Speaking of off budget tricks

the War in Iraq is an off budget item.

[ZombieGak]

8. I believe it's a supplemental budget item

As such it doesn't show up in the initial budget but ultimately it's still added to the on-budget side of the ledger. The extra spending should show up in mid-term OMB budget forecasts.

Sound right?

[teryang]

2. I agree with you

They like to use FICA revenues as general revenues to finance the war, pork, and everything else and pretend that tax revenues aren't as deficient as they really are.

[stepnw1f]

5. God Damnit This Pisses Me Off

I struggle everyday for this? FUCK YOU GOP!

[ZombieGak]

7. the REAL problem here are the DEMS

Since Reagan the psychotic Right has had as their goal to sabotage the fiscal health of the government with irresponsible tax cuts and wasteful military spending.

The REAL problem here is the Dems refuse to expose the Right's game plan... EVEN WHEN IT WORKS TO THEIR BENEFIT! 25 years have been pissed away when the Dems COULD have been inoculating the public against the Right's Orwellian tax cut claims.... and they have refused.

[stepnw1f]

9. Sorry

but I am a Dem, and just because there are a few I don't like or care for, I don't jump on your Dem bashing train. There are problems with the leadership, but bashing it doesn't resolve the issue. Working to change it from within is... party on.

[ZombieGak]

10. This is a Democratic PARTY issue.....

I'm not bashing anyone. Was Lakoff "bashing" the Dems in his book "Don't Think Of An Elephant"?

I'm stating simple facts. I'm also stating that if the Right is allowed to make false claims that are never answered... then guess whose message eventually gains ground!!!!!

The Dems are losing ground because they are inept in adapting to the tactics the Right has used these past 25 years. This is a PERFECT example. Here's another example of that ineptitude.... their pathetic strategy to keep Right wing nuts off the USSC: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2549320

If you truly want to help the Dems.... stop making excuses for them.