Deficit Forecast Masks True Scope of Problem
James Pethokoukis, Reuters
If America ran its books more like a business, the real state of its finances would be clearer. U.S. budget scorekeepers now predict a $1.34 trillion deficit for 2010, a tad less than forecast in March. Still, it’s an enormous gap. And the headline number lowballs the shortfall.To be fair, the Congressional Budget Office does its best. The unit is the closest thing associated with Congress to an independent and impartial fiscal judge. As the debate over the costs of healthcare reform showed, the CBO’s analysis affects not only public perception of policy but also...
If America ran its books more like a business, the real state of its finances would be clearer. U.S. budget scorekeepers now predict a $1.34 trillion deficit for 2010, a tad less than forecast in March. Still, it’s an enormous gap. And the headline number lowballs the shortfall.To be fair, the Congressional Budget Office does its best. The unit is the closest thing associated with Congress to an independent and impartial fiscal judge. As the debate over the costs of healthcare reform showed, the CBO’s analysis affects not only public perception of policy but also...
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