John McCain's Syrian Straight Talk

Larry of CA says, "Every time an administration has lowered taxes, the government has gotten more cash, the American people have gotten to keep more of their hard-earned cash, and the economy has moved in a positive direction."

That's partially true, but there's an elephant in the room that's misunderstood, or ignored by the Larrys of the world. The elephant is the fact that the government has never gotten enough more cash to make up for the increased amount every President except Bill Clinton has spent beginning with Ronald Reagan.

In terms of percentages, national debt was at 117% of national income (GDP) at the end of WW II. By 1979, the end of the Carter administration, it had declined to 33%. Through those 34 years under 7 presidents, the government practiced fiscal responsibility. In dollars adjusted for inflation, our GDP tripled, while debt stayed nearly level.

Reaganomics decreed cutting taxes without cutting expenditures, & subsequent Republican administrations have followed the same. For most of the past quarter century, our government's outgo has exceeded its income, contrary to the fiscal prudence practiced in the preceding 34 years. Today, our national debt has increased to 70% of GDP.

Following these percentages in practical terms, it is as though you had $50,000 in income at the end of WW II, & $60,000 in debt. By 1979, your income had increased to $180,000 wile your debt held steady at $60,000. Today, at $180,000 of income, your debt has risen to $126,000, and that isn't economic progress. It's your descendants who will pay for the false prosperity you enjoyed from lower taxes while the government borrowed to pay its bills.

Sorry, Larry, you've been living in a fools paradise along with most of the rest of our nation, and the chickens of Republican fiscal irresponsibility are coming home to roost.

olroy of WA 9:00PM October 22, 2008