"The deficit in 2008 was $455 billion, but the national debt (do you know the difference?) increased by $1 trillion*. That means that the reported deficit was half the actual deficit. The real number was $1 trillion. That means you are full of shit about the "off budget" bit and the $1 trillion number actually takes into account this "off budget" amount."
Econ flunkee.
Where is the trillion dollars Bernanke shoved into the system a few days before the bailout? And where is the near trillion-dollar bailout? Your numbers don't add up at all.
"The fact that they are supposedly agreeing with you now should be a welcome change even if they are late to the party."
Then you have to admit Obama has been good for the country. Just look at how much the average intelligence of rightwingers has risen.
"For someone that says they don't endorse Obama's spending, you are sure looking like one right now."
You really know how to lose a debate, don't you? You can't find a single post where I've endorsed Obama's overspending, but because I point out Republicans are johnny-come-latelys regarding debt, your only conclusion is I support Obama's spendthrift ways.
"Instead you want to score a cheap political point"
Not cheap at all. It's a fact: when Dubya was racking up the largest deficits since the dawn of time, Republicans were silent. Iraq war, tax cuts for the wealthiest, not a peep. It wasn't until the bank bailout (and the $trillion pumped in a few days before the bailout passed), there was even a whisper. Now that the President has a (D) after his name, rightwingers are screaming. And their excuse? They've finally met their "limits". Idiotic.
Bush actually had a chance -- maybe the last -- to right the economy and prepare for the tsunamis of Medicare and Social Security. Instead, we got a 60% income tax rate cut for the richest, and a war of choice. And Bush's hand-picked SEC slept for 8 years. Forgive me if I believe this "limits" bullshit is partisan. My bet is if McCain had been elected, and felt the need for a stimulus, the right would be, once again, silent.
