Sam - Well, if it's numbers you're looking for, you've come to the right place *L* Since the thread seems to have slowed down a little here, I'm going to add a little historical perspective to the debate - just to give you some idea of the revenue shortfall of the present Bush Administration.
Here are the average figures for receipts and outlays (as a percentage of GDP) and the Net Debt standing of the Federal Government at the end of each time period. (Net Debt is the part of the Debt the Government owes to the public - it's equal to the Gross Federal Debt minus the money the Government owes itself via such things Social Security reserves, etc.):
Kennedy (FY62-64)
Receipts: 17.65
Outlays: 18.64
Balance: -0.99
Net Debt: 40.11
Johnson (FY65-69)
Receipts: 18.10
Outlays: 18.98
Balance: -0.88
Net Debt: 29.32
Nixon (FY70-75)
Receipts: 17.95
Outlays: 19.58
Balance: -1.63
Net Debt: 25.29
Ford (FY76-77)
Receipts: 17.63
Outlays: 21.04
Balance: -3.41
Net Debt: 27.81
Carter (FY78-81)
Receipts: 18.85
Outlays: 21.26
Balance: -2.41
Net Debt: 25.84
Reagan (FY82-89)
Receipts: 18.00
Outlays: 22.14
Balance: -4.14
Net Debt: 40.57
Bush, Sr. (FY90-93)
Receipts: 17.70
Outlays: 21.93
Balance: -4.23
Net Debt: 49.40
Clinton (FY94-01)
Receipts: 19.52
Outlays: 19.42
Balance: +0.10
Net Debt: 34.19
Bush, Jr. (FY02-05)
Receipts: 17.04
Outlays: 19.85
Balance: -2.81
Net Debt: 37.36
Notice the sharp decline in receipts between Clinton and Bush, Jr. - the vast majority of that decline is due to the Bush Tax Cuts. While the deficit under Bush, Jr. is nowhere near the proportional size of Reagan's or Bush, Sr.'s, it is something to be wary of - notice how Net Debt is already starting to increase. Notice also how Bush, Jr.'s average receipts compare with every other administration - nobody else even comes close to his level.
Like I said in my first post in this thread, I'm not against tax cuts, per se - undoubtedly they can have a beneficial effect on the economy. But it's sheer fiscal irresponsibility to make them permanent with offsetting spending cuts... and I just don't think the level of spending cuts that would be required to pay for them would make the tax cuts worthwhile. There's just not enough fat in the Budget to do so... whatever fat there was was cut by Clinton - look how much Outlays dropped under his Administration... from 21.93 to 19.42. How much fat do you figure was left after that?
Nope... I just don't see how it can be done, and so far no conservative in here has stepped up to the plate and suggested anywhere what would be needed - with apologies to Chief and Voice... but we're still nowhere close to the goal (although I'm still open to more ideas from you).
I think the better course of action would be to do away with the Bush Tax Cuts and instead focus on how taxes are distributed across the economy. Higher taxes overall, but distributed differently is the way to go. But I'll have more on that later in here. (How's that for a teaser? *L*)
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