SI
SI
discoversearch

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor.  We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community.  If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.
Politics : Actual left/right wing discussion
 Public ReplyPrvt ReplyMark as Last ReadFilePrevious 10Next 10PreviousNext  
To: Peter Dierks who wrote (3175)10/19/2006 10:21:46 AM
From: TimF  Read Replies (1) of 10087
 
Administration officials said the actual 2006 deficit is down to 1.9% of the gross domestic product. That percentage is below the 40-year average deficit of about 2.3% of the GDP

That is, in my opinion the best way to measure it.

I suppose you could also measure it in real per-capita dollars, but since our economy grows the deficit can grow by that measure without really being worse.

To put any great importance in the nominal dollar figure doesn't make a lot of sense. You can get frequent "record deficits", even as the actual deficit situation improves.

That having been said with the upcoming costs for medicare and social security I'm not sure that a 4 year low (in nominal dollars) or being below the 40 year average (as a percentage of GDP) is enough for to make me comfortable with the current deficit. I'd like to see it continue its recent downward trend. And of course entitlement reform would be a great idea.
Report TOU ViolationShare This Post
 Public ReplyPrvt ReplyMark as Last ReadFilePrevious 10Next 10PreviousNext  

HomeMailHotSubjectMarksPeopleMarksKeepersSettings
Terms Of UseContact UsCopyright/IP PolicyPrivacy PolicyAbout UsFAQAdvertise on SI
© 2025 Knight Sac Media.  Data provided by Twelve Data, Alpha Vantage, and CityFALCON News