The title of this thread includes the word 'fact'.

It seems like a good opportunity to discuss 'facts' and leave out some of the oft-repeated rhetoric.

Barry Finn said "Fact is after having a record surplus when Clinton left office after 8 yrs we're broke now in near half the time..."

Since he brought up the subject, it is fair to respond to it. I said:

"FACT: Every year Clinton was president the federal government spent more than it took in. Deficit spending. The first year Clinton is responsible for is 1994 when he ran a 281 Billion dollar deficit. In 2001, under the last budget that Clinton signed, he ran a 133 Billion dollar deficit. Not one year in the Clinton presidency did the US see a reduction in the national debt, which, by definition, will occur if there is a surplus."

I have listened to discussions including expert economists and they agree: the "Clinton surplus is a myth". Period.