A dramatic drop, traced in part to Democrat-sponsored and supported House Res. 20:

1999 12

2000 17.7
(in billions)

2001 18.5

2002 20.1

2003 22.5

2004 22.9

2005 27.3

2006 29

2007 13.2

From a conservative watchdog too:

http://www.cagw.org/site/PageServer?...lreport#trends

http://www.rules.house.gov/110/text/110th_hjres20.pdf

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/vote.xpd?vote=h2007-72

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"You have shown what history teaches us - that at defining moments like this one, the change we need doesn't come from Washington. Change comes to Washington."

- President Barack Obama, 8/28/08

"To the average American who’s struggling, we’re in some other stratosphere. We’re the party of Big Business and Big Oil and the rich."

- Sen. Olympia Snowe (R)

Budget surplus inherited by Bush: $236 billion (CBO, 2000)

Budget deficit inherited by Obama: $1,667 billion (CBO projection, 3/2009)

Well good for them. Cut in half.

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Some days it's not even worth chewing through the restraints.