Much needed rainfall came down, between 1.5 inches and 1.75 inches at the Curtis Brown Airport weather station.
The celebration in Bladenboro was held as planned, the Wingtips did entertained, despite threatening weather, and in Elizabethtown, the Robby Priest fundraiser was a huge success, if the number of people attending was the measuring stick, again, despite the rain.
To the west of Bladen, rainfall totals appeared to be higher.
The forecast for today is gradual clearing with high temps in the upper 50s, north wind 7 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Increasing clouds tonight with low temps around 40 and calm winds.
Had lots of time recently, so I GOOGLED info related to the US debt. The debt meter is increasing at an alarming rate, and has been for the past 100 years or so, but even faster in the past 25 to 30 years.
What I discovered, over the past 75 years, 90% of the time, our leaders have failed to balance the federal budget.
Under the leadership of the last 9 presidents, 5 Republicans and 4 Democrats, the national debt has doubled about every 9 years.
Wars are expensive, but balanced budgets are uncommon, war or no war. The last time the US was debt free was January 8, 1835 when Andrew Jackson was president. A US Senator rose to announce, “Gentlemen, the national debt is paid”
Tax overhauls in the past have failed to produce the growth needed to offset the cuts, the last during the Reagan administration. Way to early to judge President Trump’s recent tax overhaul.
An article worth reading, “Our Presidents and the National Debt” by Burton Folsom, Jr., Professor of History and Management at Hillsdale College, was one of my sources. Google the topic, there are others as well.
Various ways to measure the debt have been used, by dollar amount or by percentage increase.
President Obama had the largest dollar deficient, over $8.5 trillion, or a 74% increase, according to one writer.
President George W. Bush, $5.84 trillion debt, or a 101% increase.
President Bill Clinton, nearly $1.4 trillion debt, a 32% increase.
President George HW Bush, just over $1.5 trillion debt or 54% increase.
President Ronald Reagan, just over $1.8 trillion of debt, but a 186% increase over the last Pres. Carter budget.
As the spending total grows, the percentage and dollar amount increases substantially.
Based on the current spending of President Trump, the numbers are rising faster than any to date, according to the author. But, it is early in his administration.
I know, more info than needed.
The debt clock early today (4 AM) was $21,221,727,000,000 and rising fast.
Don’t worry, be happy.
It’s just money.
robert g hester
rgh4612@gmail.com
About Author
