It's not a matter of changing Chuck's mind. His mind is clamped shut. The
economy is improving and it kills Chuck to admit that the tax cut is the
reason. He's even gone so far as to purposely manipulate data to prove his
case.




"Jim--" wrote in message
news

"Joe" wrote in message
...

This debate will go round in circles.

I used numbers directly from the US Treasury. You used numbers
supplied
by
the
Bush Administration.


No, I used actual numbers, you used a modified number from the US
Treasury.
A number modified to reflect 1996 buying power.
If you wanted to compare your personal assets to debt ratio of different
years, would you apply the consumer price index in your calculations?

We should both be concerned that the numbers aren't reported using a
common
standard. Why doesn't the BEA site use the more favorable (to the
administration) numbers shown on the WH site? Or at least mention
them?


The numbers aren't more favorable, you're comparing apples to oranges.
If
you wanted to compare the buying power of different year GDP's you would
use
your chart.

If you are looking for a PERCENTAGE of two different dollar figures from
2
different years you must use the actual dollars of both, OR apply your
modifier to each number (GDP and Debt).
Either way the percentages will be the same.

So we have each demonstrated that our numbers came from official govt
sources.
Your number proves your point. My number proves my point. Ergo, round
in
circles.

Can you give me one good reason why the CPI should be towards the GDP
when
computing the percentage of debt between different years?




Who friggin cares??????????

You will not change a damn thing by arguing about who's numbers are right
or
wrong or by what means you came about your numbers.

You will not change Chuck's mind...he will not change yours. Accept that
and move on.