Feb 27 2009
Could someone out there who is smarter than me explain this?
So, while I was dropping my cards earlier today I came across a post at another site. In the comment section someone mentioned something that got me thinking. First, I’m not mentioning the person that brought this up because he’s kind of a jerk and I don’t really want to send people his way - I’m not mentioning the blog - although he’s an innocent bystander in this - because you would figure out who the person is and maybe head over to his blog once you got there.
In any case - he did say something that got me thinking. But, I’m sure it can’t possibly be the way he is thinking so - I’m asking for you guys to see if you can explain this. Don’t take this as an Obama bash as it has that potential if he’s right - so - here it is…
He says that since Obama has taken office there have been requests totalling $3.5 trillion. When Obama took office - Bush left him with a deficit of $500 Billion. Obama has stated that by 2012 he’s going to cut the deficit in half. If that were true - then technically Obama will only be bringing the deficit down to $1.75 trillion which is still more than 3 times larger than when he started his Presidency.
Can that be right? Wouldn’t that mean that Obama didn’t really reduce the deficit at all? I don’t see how this other guy’s math could be correct. It has only been a little over a month since Obama took over. If this guy is right - with almost four years left there will certainly be more spending requests which would bring that deficit amount even higher. I hope someone can explain this away because I would hate to think that guy is right about this thing.
As a side note - do you think if I got one of these I could drive my neo-con hubby out of his mind! 
Thanks,
Sarah
No, it doesn’t mean he wouldn’t reduce the deficit if he’s able to cut it in half.
Put in simplest terms, the Bush Admin had been lying about just how large the deficit was.
But just because Bush said the deficit was only X, didn’t magically make the stuff he wasn’t counting disappear.
So the real deficit would be cut in half if Obama’s plan works. Just as he claims.
Good for you EuroYank and clamdobber. First of all; I have no idea where he came up with the figure of $500 billion. Even without the little hidden amounts that the Bush regime manged to stow away-the figure is still $1.3 trillion that Obama inherited. See: www.usatoday.com/2009-02-21-obama-deficit. Obama has claimed that he will cut the deficit in half by 2013; a tall order but I feel attainable. $500 billion???? You might ask this fellow blogger what the deficit was when Bush originally took over-he won’t like answering that one. Someone’s intelligence may be in question but it isn’t yours.
I am sorry-for a better look at what I was referring to; go to www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2009-02-22-obamaecon_N.htm. Keep in mind, the $1.3 trillion is the amount inherited. I hope this helps.
Thanks for that link Euroyank. I’ll be sure to check it out.
Clamdobber and tailback24 - thanks to the both of you for providing some additional information. I knew that didn’t sound right for some reason. Thanks for talking back from the ledge!
Maybe that unnamed blogger forgot, Obama has only been in office a few weeks. What about balancing books doesnt this guy understand. It is unfortunate that Bush blew Clinton’s good work. Now everyone is pointing fingers. Isn’t it funny how the republicans are now trying toappear as the responsible party! LOL.