[avacado]

"FACT: There has never been a year in recent history where our debt DID NOT increase. So that budget surplus marlarky is just smoke and mirrors."

You are not understanding the budget statements. It is simply receipts minus outlays for on and off budget expenses. That's it. It's a number. You are adding in things that have nothing to do with the BUDGET statements. I am posting ONLY the budget results.

[bolobaby]

Hmmm - actually, http://www.treasurydirect.gov/NP/BPDLogin?application=np shows a slight decrease in debt in the year 2000, but that’s it.

So I’d be willing to concede that there was a surplus in 2000, but none of the other years.