Dear Senator Boxer,

Pres. Clinton tonight said that we have a budget surplus, and that we can do some 14 or 15 specific new tax credits and other give away programs (of which I only agree that one makes sense, and is only moral, and that is that Medicare should pay for prescriptions [and I add directly, not through an HMO]). The truth of the matter is that we are still in a budget deficit by figures from the U. S. Government itself (www.publicdebt.treas.gove/opd/opds1219999.htm).

From www.brillig.com/debt_clock we get:

The Outstanding Public Debt as of 27 Jan 2000 at 09:12:17 PM PST is:

The estimated population of the United States is 274,568,347
so each citizen's share of this debt is $20,789.52.
The National Debt has continued to increase an average of
$270 million per day since January 29, 1999!

Are you not concerned? We have another credibility gap with Pres. Clinton! We may or may not like him, but apparently we cannot believe what he says, because all of the numbers contridict his testimony. It is upon this premise of a budget surplus that he bases he appeals for more spending, when there is really a deficit. It is frightening to the sober mind that this country's future legislation may be based on this false premise!

More evidence from www.publicdebt.treas.gov/opd/opdpenny.htm :

The Public Debt To the Penny

    Current
   01/26/2000         $5,711,730,807,880.49


    CURRENT
     MONTH                      AMOUNT

   01/25/2000	   $5,713,302,084,517.53
   01/24/2000	   $5,717,202,915,584.34
   01/21/2000	   $5,711,817,746,476.20
   01/20/2000	   $5,706,174,969,873.86
   01/19/2000	   $5,727,150,582,479.46
   01/18/2000	   $5,720,294,602,320.21
   01/14/2000	   $5,719,849,572,269.03
   01/13/2000	   $5,719,457,826,074.43
   01/12/2000	   $5,759,460,143,654.90
   01/11/2000	   $5,759,580,265,748.75
   01/10/2000	   $5,755,362,337,349.58
   01/07/2000	   $5,754,332,677,298.67
   01/06/2000	   $5,758,771,904,732.40
   01/05/2000	   $5,758,914,216,192.02
   01/04/2000	   $5,758,316,426,486.15
   01/03/2000	   $5,751,743,092,605.50
   

    PRIOR
    MONTHS

   12/31/1999          $5,776,091,314,225.33
   11/30/1999          $5,693,600,157,029.08
   10/29/1999          $5,679,726,662,904.06
   09/30/1999          $5,656,270,901,615.43
   08/31/1999          $5,672,386,167,530.41
   07/30/1999          $5,638,655,711,931.60
   06/30/1999          $5,638,780,248,334.54
   05/28/1999          $5,604,198,055,526.11
   04/30/1999          $5,585,839,850,171.61
   03/31/1999          $5,651,615,289,284.87
   02/26/1999          $5,621,945,513,528.00
   01/29/1999          $5,610,117,097,678.95
   12/31/1998          $5,614,217,021,195.87

   
  PRIOR FISCAL
     YEARS
     
   09/30/1999          $5,656,270,901,615.43
   09/30/1998          $5,526,193,008,897.62
   09/30/1997          $5,413,146,011,397.34
   09/30/1996          $5,224,810,939,135.73
   09/29/1995          $4,973,982,900,709.39
   09/30/1994          $4,692,749,910,013.32
   09/30/1993          $4,411,488,883,139.38
   09/30/1992          $4,064,620,655,521.66
   09/30/1991          $3,665,303,351,697.03
   09/28/1990          $3,233,313,451,777.25
   09/29/1989          $2,857,430,960,187.32
   09/30/1988          $2,602,337,712,041.16
   09/30/1987          $2,350,276,890,953.00

SOURCE:  BUREAU OF THE PUBLIC DEBT

As you can see, every year since 1986 (and probably 1986 and before) has posted a budget deficit!

I hope that you as our representative, and also as an American first before a Democrat will oppose any and all new programs except for prescriptions (Social Security/Medicare run surpluses as I understand) and a general tax cut for the working class (blue or white collar). A tax-cut, and a spending cut would promote the economy in my opinion, as it has before, and perhaps really reduce the National Debt.

Sincerely,

A. Neal de Gaston:

See me at http://facelink.com/a8whiteshirt ... Also check my Web site at http://www.degaston.org