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Beautiful visualization! I really like it. Only semi-related, but something I've always wondered: Like a lot of other sources, this graph shows us running su

by wdr1 12y ago

Beautiful visualization! I really like it. Only semi-related, but something I've always wondered: Like a lot of other sources, this graph shows us running surplus in '98 & '99. At the same time, the federal debt increased in those years: http://www.treasurydirect.gov/govt/reports/pd/histdebt/histdebt_histo4.htm http://www.treasurydirect.gov/govt/reports/pd/histdebt/histd... Can anyone explain why?

MaysonL 12y ago
"Debt" includes the Treasury securities held by Social Security and Medicare trust funds, I believe.
joshuaheard 12y ago
Without looking at the issue, I can say that the "deficit" and "surplus" are for the budget. Actual spending may differ, which may explain the rise of the debt.