Civic Responsibility, National Debt

A surplus so small it’s a deficit

An anticipated small surplus in the fiscal 1981 federal budget appears to have melted to a prospective substantial deficit as the budget saga continues in Washington. This despite a law requiring a balanced budget effective in ’81. Originally, last January, President Carter submitted a proposed $615.8 billion budget with a $5.8 billion deficit. But last… Continue reading A surplus so small it’s a deficit

National Debt, Not from Provo Daily Herald

Record U.S. Surplus of $38.7 Billion in April Helps Cut Fiscal-Year Deficit

WASHINGTON (AP) – The federal government enjoyed .1 record $38.7 billion surplus in April as both individual and corporate tax payments rose sharply, the Treasury Department said Thursday. The huge surplus, representing the difference between what the government took in and what it spent last month, helped to reduce the deficit for the first seven months of the fiscal year to $83.3 billion.… Continue reading Record U.S. Surplus of $38.7 Billion in April Helps Cut Fiscal-Year Deficit

National Debt, Politics

Senate Blots Out a Red-Ink Worry – Stripped-Down Debt Bill Passes

WASHINGTON (UPI) – The Senate, wresting promises from the White House and untangling budget reform measures from a bill to raise the debt limit to $2.32 trillion, passed legislation Thursday to allow the government to borrow enough money to avert a federal shutdown. White House officials said President Reagan plans to sign the debt bill, which passed… Continue reading Senate Blots Out a Red-Ink Worry – Stripped-Down Debt Bill Passes

National Debt, Politics

Reagan: Raise ceiling or default on May 28th

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Reagan administration has stepped up presure on Congress to increase the national debt ceiling, warning that failure to act would be disastrous for financial markets and would push the government into default. Meanwhile, President Reagan denounced the budget approved by the Democratic-controlled Senate as ”a giant step in the wrong direction.” The Treasury’s… Continue reading Reagan: Raise ceiling or default on May 28th

Coingressional Pay Raises, Economics, History, National Debt, Presidents

President Used to Make $25,000

How much do we pay our U. S. president? Assuming this should be of more than passing interest during the election campaign, let’s review presidential salaries from 1789 to the present. George Washington, the first of 39 men to hold the office, received $25,000 per annum. Today, under the 1969 salary law passed by Congress, the pay is $200,000. Extensive… Continue reading President Used to Make $25,000

National Debt

U.S. Must Heed Report on Deficit

The 161-member business-oriented efficiency panel, which compiled a two-volume report recommending ways the government can slash federal spending, has performed a potentially valuable public service. The big question now: When, how, and to what extent will official Washington act to put the reforms into effect to improve efficiency and cut unconscionable deficits? The study says federal spending can be cut by $424.4 billion over three years. President Reagan has… Continue reading U.S. Must Heed Report on Deficit