Bush, the financial manager.

Hi folks. Sorry for my long absence from these discussions, but I thought they were getting a bit ridiculous in the lead up to the election.

So here I am once again to stir the pot.

The following figures came from a quick Google search. They may not be 100 per cent accurate, but I think the point made is clear enough.

WASHINGTON September 27, 2000 -- President Clinton announced Wednesday that the federal budget surplus for fiscal year 2000 amounted to at least $230 billion, making it the largest in U.S. history and topping last year's record surplus of $122.7 billion.

WASHINGTON January 27, 2004 ? The federal budget deficit will reach $477 billion this year, the biggest ever in dollar terms, the Congressional Budget Office said Monday.
The deficit hit $375 billion in 2003, the highest in dollar terms ever. The previous record was $290 billion in 1992.