http://news.investors.com/blogs-capital-hill/112012-634082-federal-deficit-falling-fastest-since-world-war-ii.htm

Excerpt: 

Believe it or not, the federal deficit has fallen faster over the past three years than it has in any such stretch since demobilization from World War II.

In fact, outside of that post-WWII era, the only time the deficit has fallen faster was when the economy relapsed in 1937, turning the Great Depression into a decade-long affair.

If U.S. history offers any guide, we are already testing the speed limits of a fiscal consolidation that doesn't risk backfiring. That's why the best way to address the fiscal cliff likely is to postpone it.

Very tendentious way of putting the debit situation, in my opinion.

So, the federal debt has shrunk by a hundred billion dollars for three years now. That's something to brag about? Yeah, let's ignore it was $160 billion by 2007 and then $1,400 billion by 2009 to start with.

Also, it's very unlikely the economy is going to grow faster than the debt for another decade, at least, even on a scenario keeping the current spending reductions and tax increases indefinitely without any negative consequences.

Just get rid of some of that bloated military spending. Seriously, why is so much needed?

What was the rate of increase up until than? I think it accelerated greatly in the previous years, so a big drop should be expected. It won't be good news until we aren't in a deficit at all.

Worst attempt at spin I've ever seen.

- It's falling due to the huge increases in deficit during the two Wars and the worst of the recession/tax cuts
- This still means the debt is still increasing, just not as fast
- We are nowhere near a zero deficit
- We are nowhere near beginning to pay off the debt

The article is angling for more tax cuts. Since that position is utterly unsupported, they have to spin incredibly hard.

I wonder how much money they would have to spend if all military operations were limited to home defense.

There it is. Always beware of how statistics can be manipulated.

I blame microsoft.

Why? If the US government had somesort of DRM on the defecit, it wouldn't be nearly as high.

Fixed