"Critics Call Bush's Deficit Efforts Feeble"

[GreenPartyVoter]

WASHINGTON (AP) - One guiding star in the $2.5 trillion budget that President Bush ships Congress next month will be his goal of cutting the federal deficit in half by 2009. Bush first proclaimed that objective in his spending plan last year. That was months before the 2004 federal budget shortfall came in at a record - but less than expected - $412 billion.

The White House touts the goal as part of its commitment to get the budget under control, while critics mock it as a feeble feint at fiscal prudence. Following is a look at how the effort is going.

Q: If last year's deficit set a record, it had to be worse than the previous year's shortfall. Doesn't that mean Bush lost ground trying to reach his goal?

A: Last year's deficit was $35 billion worse than in 2003. Yet administration officials say they made big progress toward reaching their target.

http://apnews1.iwon.com/article/20050113/D87J7SVG0.html

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[progressiveBadger]

1. Playing with these numbers won't fix the problem

That's the worst thing that this administration does. Instead of a goal of actually fixing our economic problems, they have a goal of making it look like they are fixing the problem. No matter how much they play with numbers, our economy can't be held together with bubble gum and popsickle sticks.

[Eric J in MN]

2. Check out my blog article

Bush Admin. will fake budget numbers:

http://www.moveleft.com/moveleft_essay_2005_01_09_conservative_con_of_the_week_bush_admin._will_.fake_budget_numbers.asp