$2.2 trillion

[ronpaulfollower999]

That's America's projected surplus over the next 10 years, and Al Gore threatens to spend it all.

http://www.livingroomcandidate.org/commercials/2000/22-trillion


Derp.

[sailingaway]

America never has a surplus. And it is our money, not his.

[Zippyjuan]

I need more info given that it comes from a political advertisement paid for by the Republican Party for the year 2000 presidential election ("Al Gore threatens to spend it all" makes it sound like that is a current projection). (Bush tax cuts and two wars led us to $1 trillion deficits a year just 8 years after the budget was nearly balanced- wouldn't say he did a good job either). It also shows how wrong projections usually are.

Fact checking said both candidates were wrong:
http://archives.nbclearn.com/portal/site/k-12/flatview?cuecard=33370

JENSEN: But both candidates' economic plans cost a fortune. And the question is, will there be enough money? What's the truth? Are Bush and Gore making campaign promises they can't possibly keep?

The nonpartisan Center On Budget And Policy Priorities did an exhaustive study of the surplus. The authors' conclusion? Beware of smoke and mirrors from both candidates.

Mr. ROBERT GREENSTEIN (Center On Budget & Policy Priorities): Well, I would have some skepticism toward both plans. They're being overly optimistic in what they can actually deliver.

JENSEN: Both Gore and Bush rely on predictions from the congressional budget office that the government will take in $4.5 trillion more than it spends over the next ten years. About half that surplus is for Social Security, leaving $2.2 trillion for tax cuts and new government programs.

TEXT:

2001-2010 $4.561 TRILLION SURPLUS

$2.3 TRILLION SOCIAL SECURITY

$2.2 TRILLION TAX CUTS/GOV'T PROGRAMS

JENSEN: Sounds good, but many economists say that's hugely optimistic because of economic assumptions by both candidates that won't necessarily pan out. For example, government spending is assumed by the candidates to rise only at the rate of inflation, while in truth, analysts say it's been rising 20 percent faster than that. Both candidates also assume strong economic growth resulting in that huge surplus. The truth? If the economy takes a major hit, more than just a mild recession, experts say you can subtract a trillion dollars from the surplus. Business Week magazine puts it bluntly. "Neither Al Gore nor George W. Bush will be able to deliver on their promises." Newsday calls their promises "pie in the sky." The New York Times says they're "unrealistically optimistic."