Can anyone explain??

[GrantDem]

Bill O'Lielly likes to harp on the so called "fact" that the Shrub administration has outspent the Clinton administration on social programs such as welfare, housing etc.

How has he twisted and spun these numbers to achieve this conclusion?

Just wondering because I find it hard to believe.

[Neil Lisst]

1. It's true and not entirely true

It's true that Bush has not cut spending, but he's stopped funding things authorized, like NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND.

Overall, however, his spending is up a great deal. He's a really big spender. His spending has kept the economy stagnant at the lower levels, and those who have jobs are making less per hour and working fewer hours per week. The net result is lower disposable income for the poorer among us, as their fewer dollars buy fewer goods.

Look at the cost of gasoline and power, and how that has ravaged the budgets of anyone making under about $75k per year.

But spending? He's outspent Clinton on many programs, but not funding them is how he sabotages them.

-----
my progressive political cartoon
http://www.webcomicsnation.com/neillisst

[Birthmark]

2. No idea.

Someone tried to hit me with that (and the poverty rate stats) on another board. When I asked him to provide some backup to the assertion he quickly changed the subject. So for now I have no choice but to assume it's BS since its unsubstantiated and it comes from O'Reilly.

Oh, and I slit him up a treat on the poverty rate stats. ;)

[Geoff R. Casavant]

3. One possible way

is to ignore the effect of inflation. For example, if you spent $100 last year, and I spend $101 this year, I can say I spent more, but the practical effect is that my $101 buys less this year than your $100 bought last year.

[mrcheerful]

4. Thats easy

When all else fails trying to explain where all the tax dollars were spent, blame welfare, it worked for Reagan and the rw will except that as fact before they will the fact that GW spent it all like a crack head on a 6 year crack binge.

[rock]

5. An old rule of project management is

effort does not equal progress. Effort, of course, can mean money spent. (From Brooks, "The Mythical Man Month")