Comparing Reagan, Bush, and Obama

Bayam, we all think that Bush spent too much, but you should look at spending and revenues as a percentage of GDP and compare them.

FY 1981:

Revenue-to-GDP:  19.16%

Spending-to-GDP: 21.69%
Deficit-to-GDP: 2.52%

FY 1982:

Revenue-to-GDP:  18.99%

Spending-to-GDP: 22.92%
Deficit-to-GDP: 3.93%

FY 1983:

Revenue-to-GDP:  16.99%

Spending-to-GDP: 22.87%
Deficit-to-GDP: 5.88%

FY 1984:

Revenue-to-GDP:  16.95%

Spending-to-GDP: 21.67%
Deficit-to-GDP: 4.71%

FY 1985:

Revenue-to-GDP:  17.41%

Spending-to-GDP: 22.44%
Deficit-to-GDP: 5.03%

FY 1986:

Revenue-to-GDP:  17.25%

Spending-to-GDP: 22.21%
Deficit-to-GDP: 4.96%

FY 1987:

Revenue-to-GDP:   18.04%

Spending-to-GDP: 21.98%
Deficit-to-GDP: 3.16%

FY 1988:

Revenue-to-GDP:  17.83% 

Spending-to-GDP: 20.87%
Deficit-to-GDP: 3.04%

FY 2001:

Revenue-to-GDP:  19.36%
Spending-to-GDP:  18.11%
Deficit-to-GDP:  1.25%


FY 2002:

Revenue-to-GDP:  17.41%
Spending-to-GDP:  18.90%
Deficit-to-GDP:  1.48%


FY 2003:

Revenue-to-GDP:  16.00%
Spending-to-GDP:  19.39%
Deficit-to-GDP:  3.39%


FY 2004:

Revenue-to-GDP:  15.86%
Spending-to-GDP: 19.34%
Deficit-to-GDP:  3.48%


FY 2005:

Revenue-to-GDP:  17.06%
Spending-to-GDP: 19.58%
Deficit-to-GDP:  2.52%


FY 2006:

Revenue-to-GDP:  17.99%
Spending-to-GDP: 19.85%
Deficit-to-GDP:  1.86%


FY 2007:

Revenue-to-GDP:  18.30%
Spending-to-GDP: 19.45%
Deficit-to-GDP:  1.15%


FY 2008:

Revenue-to-GDP:  17.57%
Spending-to-GDP: 20.76%
Deficit-to-GDP: 3.19%


FY 2009:

Revenue-to-GDP: 15.1%
Spending-to-GDP: 25.24%
Deficit-to-GDP: 10.14%


FY 2010:

Revenue-to-GDP: 14.91%
Spending-to-GDP: 23.79%
Deficit-to-GDP: 8.9%


FY 2011:

Revenue-to-GDP: 15.4%
Spending-to-GDP: 23.87%
Deficit-to-GDP: 8.61%


FY 2012:

Revenue-to-GDP: 15.82%
Spending-to-GDP: 24.3%
Deficit-to-GDP: 9.14%


Average 1981-1988:

Revenue-to-GDP:  17.83%
Spending-to-GDP:  21.87%
Deficit-to-GDP:   3.91%


Average 2001-2008:

Revenue-to-GDP: 17.44%
Spending-to-GDP: 19.42%
Deficit-to-GDP: 2.29%


Average 2009-2012:

Revenue-to-GDP: 15.31%
Spending-to-GDP: 24.3%
Deficit-to-GDP: 9.2%



Reagan:  During Reagan's administration, GDP grew by 96.63%.

GHW Bush:    During Bush I's administration, GDP grew by 15.69% (thanks in very large part to the recession triggered by his tax increases).

Clinton:  During Clinton's administration, GDP grew by 66.08%.

Bush II:  During Bush's administration, GDP grew by 44.4%.

Obama:   Under Obama, GDP has grown by a pathetic 8.58%. 




Sources:  Treasurydirect.com and USgovernmentspending.com