>>I am still waiting for someone to explain why the deficit grew every year, per the US Treasury Departments numbers while some people claim there was a surplus. <<

Because George W Bush, upon seeing the projected surplus, bought off millions of voters by offering them a $300 rebate if he got elected.
Once he paid out that one time bribe the surplus was unobtainable.

Then he instituted billions in Tax cuts and spent billions more without showing it in the budget.