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Republicans Applaud Budget Deficit

Who would have thought there would come a day when Republicans would pat each other on the back over the fact that they’re running a budget deficit? Well, today is that day. Okay, that’s a little unfair. The past year’s budget deficit was less severe than the Bush administration had predicted, and thus they are quite happy with themselves. For a party ostensibly championing small, efficient government and tight fiscal policy, these events are quite a departure from the expectations of past generations.

I couldn’t help but think of a grade school analogy when I read the above linked article. This situation is kind of like routinely making D’s on your report card, followed by your parents saying, “This is unacceptable. We expect B’s or better.” You come home with a C on the next report card, and you start patting yourself on the back and telling your parents how proud of you they should be. Bullshit. You’re still making C’s.

That’s what a budget deficit is folks. It’s a C or D when you’re looking for an A or a B. A budget deficit is not sustainable. The national debt grows every year that we run a budget deficit. We are becoming more indebted to China and other foreign countries that hold a significant portion of our debt every time we run a budget deficit. The national debt shrunk four out of (Democratic) President Clinton’s eight years in office. The national debt will grow every year that (Republican) President Bush is in office. Maybe Republicans don’t belong to the party of tight fiscal policy after all.