Proof clinton did not have a surplus?

DosEquis · 10-26-2006, 12:39 PM

I would say that 1996-2000 the budget was fairly balanced, though the debt still increased by 400 billion over those 4 years. It was probably the best 4 years between 1980-2008, but I am failing to see where the surplus is. If there was a surplus to the tune of 150-200 billion like was claimed why did this debt continue to climb. I really can't think of any unbudgeted emergency spending needs for those 4 years.

09/30/2000 5,674,178,209,886.86
09/30/1999 5,656,270,901,615.43
09/30/1998 5,526,193,008,897.62
09/30/1997 5,413,146,011,397.34
09/30/1996 5,224,810,939,135.73
09/29/1995 4,973,982,900,709.39
09/30/1994 4,692,749,910,013.32
09/30/1993 4,411,488,883,139.38

Of course I have to take my shot at "conservatives". Here is Reagan/Bush. Reagan years looked to go in increases in 200 billion per year increments. Bush's 4 years looked to be roughly 400 billion a year. Do you give credit to Bush's administration for the 1993 number since that is really the first year clinton took over?

09/30/1992 4,064,620,655,521.66
09/30/1991 3,665,303,351,697.03
09/28/1990 3,233,313,451,777.25
09/29/1989 2,857,430,960,187.32
09/30/1988 2,602,337,712,041.16
09/30/1987 2,350,276,890,953.00
09/30/1986 2,125,302,616,658.42
12/31/1985 1,945,941,616,459.88
12/31/1984 1,662,966,000,000.00
12/31/1983 1,410,702,000,000.00
12/31/1982 1,197,073,000,000.00
12/31/1981 1,028,729,000,000.00
12/31/1980 930,210,000,000.00

We all know GWB's debt numbers. I think some numbers here will show some hidden spending just like with Clinton's. From 2004-2005 the debt climbed by 850 billion, yet the reported deficit was maybe half that.

2006 ytd 8,557,787,606,580.24
2005 8,200,000,000,000
2004 7,348,000,000,000
09/30/2003 6,783,231,062,743.62
09/30/2002 6,228,235,965,597.16
09/28/2001 5,807,463,412,200.06

WickedLou9 · 10-26-2006, 12:47 PM

It's not like Clinton cut spending or had some genius tax policy. He was lucky enough to be president during the .com economic boom. Record tax receipts resulted from record earnings. DOn't get me wrong, I think he was a good president overall... but people tend to give too much credit to presidents for the economy and for government spending. Congress controls spending. the GOP controlled congress both during Clinton's admin and today.

Here is a list of presidential Vetoes.
List of United States presidential vetoes - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

He didn't really veto anything that stands out for cutting spending.

Phantom · 10-26-2006, 01:06 PM

Originally Posted by WickedLou9

He didn't really veto anything that stands out for cutting spending.

I think he did sign some bills that affirmatively cut spending in the defense and welfare areas, but I could be wrong.

hsmith · 10-26-2006, 01:08 PM

I thought he also borrowed against SS

ballz2wallz · 10-26-2006, 01:23 PM

Originally Posted by Phantom

I think he did sign some bills that affirmatively cut spending in the defense and welfare areas, but I could be wrong.

Yes, that was a huge cut.

DosEquis · 10-26-2006, 01:27 PM

Originally Posted by ballz2wallz

Yes, that was a huge cut.

a huge cut? Come on we were still spending 400 billion+. His cut was minimal. It was a slice of bacon off that pig they call "defense"

ballz2wallz · 10-26-2006, 01:32 PM

Originally Posted by DosEquis

a huge cut? Come on we were still spending 400 billion+. His cut was minimal. It was a slice of bacon off that pig they call "defense"

He closed down MANY bases. That was a huge cut.

WickedLou9 · 10-26-2006, 01:39 PM

Originally Posted by ballz2wallz

He closed down MANY bases. That was a huge cut.

Didnt we just close down a bunch of bases under GWB?

WickedLou9 · 10-26-2006, 01:40 PM

and what's this all about?

CNN - Clinton wants biggest boost in defense spending since Reagan - January 24, 2000

Clinton wants biggest boost in defense spending since Reagan
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A proposed hike in defense spending by President Bill Clinton is not presidential politics but rather the first step in fulfilling last year's pledge to add $112 billion to the defense budget over six years, Pentagon officials tell CNN

Diesel66 · 10-26-2006, 01:50 PM

Originally Posted by hsmith

I thought he also borrowed against SS

Every President has done that since Johnson.

Didnt we just close down a bunch of bases under GWB?

Old ones that the military doesnt want anymore and were basically a waste of money since we dont have the man power needed to fill those bases.

Originally Posted by WickedLou9

and what's this all about?

CNN - Clinton wants biggest boost in defense spending since Reagan - January 24, 2000

So he waits until his last year to do anything ?

WickedLou9 · 10-26-2006, 01:55 PM

Originally Posted by Diesel66

Every President has done that since Johnson.

Old ones that the military doesnt want anymore and were basically a waste of money since we dont have the man power needed to fill those bases.

That's not really accurate. They closed down bases to save money and to "reshape the military for America's expected 21st century adversaries. "

WickedLou9 · 10-26-2006, 01:56 PM

Originally Posted by Diesel66

So he waits until his last year to do anything ?

The vetoed a military spending bill before that too, but it was overridden. So the spending happened anyway.

DosEquis · 10-26-2006, 02:02 PM

Originally Posted by ballz2wallz

He closed down MANY bases. That was a huge cut.

Ah ok so when bush does it there is "strategic realignment" but when clinton does it there are HUGE cuts in the military and they are sooo screwed.

Didn't bush close one of the major medical bases that we had?

WickedLou9 · 10-26-2006, 02:03 PM

Originally Posted by ballz2wallz

He closed down MANY bases. That was a huge cut.

LOL

check this out

BRAC Installations by Year

Click on base closures by year. Start with 1988..
Wait till you get to 2005.. then come back and post.

DosEquis · 10-26-2006, 02:07 PM

Originally Posted by WickedLou9

LOL

check this out

BRAC Installations by Year

Click on base closures by year. Start with 1988..
Wait till you get to 2005.. then come back and post.

WickedLou9 · 10-26-2006, 02:11 PM

Originally Posted by DosEquis

In all fairness, those are the proposed closures. I don't know how many will actually be closed since each base can present a case as to why it should remain open. But still, It's quite a long list and it shows that there have been closures under every president since Reagan. Nothing new.

ballz2wallz · 10-26-2006, 02:15 PM

What matters is that Clinton cut the military over half of what it was when he took office. That's massive.

DosEquis · 10-26-2006, 02:19 PM

Originally Posted by ballz2wallz

What matters is that Clinton cut the military over half of what it was when he took office. That's massive.

If he cut it in half, where is the 400 billion dollars at that we spend?

ballz2wallz · 10-26-2006, 02:21 PM

Originally Posted by DosEquis

If he cut it in half, where is the 400 billion dollars at that we spend?

Entitlement programs?

I guess that's the point of this thread; he made major cuts, and yet did he really have a surplus?

WickedLou9 · 10-26-2006, 02:29 PM

Originally Posted by ballz2wallz

Entitlement programs?

I guess that's the point of this thread; he made major cuts, and yet did he really have a surplus?

Clinton helped enact some big Welfare reforms and actually cut spending there.