GOP Budget Busting 101
US debt to GDP ABOUT 119% IN 1945, THE HIGHEST EVER TO THAT TIME
US DEBT TO GDP IN 1980 was
31%
What were we hearing from the GOP at that time? Let's take a ;look at Ronnie
"During the 1980 campaign, Ronald
Reagan heavily criticized Jimmy Carter for federal budget deficits, which reached roughly $59 billion to $74 billion plus "off-budget" items. Reagan termed these deficits a failure of leadership, blaming them and resulting inflation on excessive government spending and taxing, while pledging to balance the budget by 1983 through tax cuts."
Now what did Ronnie actually do as Prez? Not the mythology the right created after seeing how popular and successful Clinton was, the actual data
"During Reagan's eight year presidency,
the annual deficits averaged 4.0% of GDP, compared to a 2.2% average during the preceding eight years."
WHAT? How could this be possible?
U.S. federal debt-to-GDP ratio at the end of fiscal year 1989 (September 30, 1989) was approximately
39% . Debt had increased from under $1 trillion to over $2.86 trillion in Ronnie final F/Y
But I thought tax cuts were going to bring in more revenues? Well let's look
F/Y 1980, CARTER'S FINAL F/Y -
19.2% of GDP, with total receipts of $517.1 billion. The total federal outlays (spending) for the same period was 21.2% of GDP
1981 F/Y - Carter's last year - 19.1% GDP revenues
1982-
Reagan FIRST YEAR 18.6%
1983- Reagan 17%
1984- Reagan
16.9%
1985- Reagan 17.2%
1986- Reagan
17%
1987- Reagan 17.9%
1988- Reagan 17.7% (Cut taxes from top rate of 50% the US had since LBJ, to 28%, LARGEST TAX CUT FOR THE RICH TO DATE)
1989- Reagan
17.8%
OK People let's get to the topic of debt, how we got here ($39+ trillion) and how GOP policy vs Democratic policies influenced it.
If you don't want to bring actual facts or data, just stand off
From 1945 to 1980 the US debt to GDP was shrinking. Measuring the debt via GDP accounts for population growth and inflation, and it's how every credible economist or nation measures revenues and expenses
US debt to GDP ABOUT 119% IN 1945, THE HIGHEST EVER TO THAT TIME
US DEBT TO GDP IN 1980 was 31%
What were we hearing from the GOP at that time? Let's take a ;look at Ronnie...