Show HN: Exploring the US Budget, 1962-2019

Re:Show HN: Exploring the US Budget, 1962-2019 by dripton on Sunday September 14, 2014 @03:25PM (#8315993)

It wasn't a real on-budget surplus. It was only a surplus if you took the revenue from Social Security tax and ignored the obligation to later pay Social Security with it.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Show HN: Exploring the US Budget, 1962-2019 by nni on Sunday September 14, 2014 @03:33PM (#8316011)

Hey dripton - curious what your thoughts are on this: http://www.factcheck.org/2008/02/the-budget-and-deficit-unde...

I think that this gets into what the deal might have been with respect to whether you count the social security tax or not. I think that they conclude there is a "surplus" either way, although it is of course smaller. However, you might be referring to something else.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Show HN: Exploring the US Budget, 1962-2019 by AnthonyMouse on Sunday September 14, 2014 @09:52PM (#8316912)

That seems to be saying that accounting for social security would eliminate ~99% of the surplus. But what about medicare and the like?

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Show HN: Exploring the US Budget, 1962-2019 by judk on Sunday September 14, 2014 @11:05PM (#8317096)

SS benefits are paid from current taxes. There is no Social Security Lock Box, its was a metaphor.

[ Parent | on HN ]