What is the Real U.S. Deficit?

[Xiahou]

Was that addressed to me? No, Vlad, I'm anti-deficit 24/7, 365 days a year. I danced a little jig when the toxic mixture of Newt Gingrich and Bill Clinton created a temporary budget surplus. The rest of the time I moan and whinge.

Well, according to the article it was actually still a deficit- just a smaller one.

The Clinton administration reported a surplus of $559 billion in its final four budget years. The audited numbers showed a deficit of $484 billion.

Of course, the government seems to be arguing that entitlements shouldnt be counted because.....

Congress can cancel or cut the retirement programs at any time, so they should not be considered a government liability for accounting purposes.