Beautiful visualization! I really like it. Only semi-related, but something I've... | Hacker News

Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submit

		wdr1 on Sept 15, 2014 \| parent \| context \| favorite \| on: Show HN: Exploring the US Budget, 1962-2019 Beautiful visualization! I really like it. Only semi-related, but something I've always wondered: Like a lot of other sources, this graph shows us running surplus in '98 & '99. At the same time, the federal debt increased in those years: http://www.treasurydirect.gov/govt/reports/pd/histdebt/histd... Can anyone explain why?

joshuaheard on Sept 15, 2014 | [–]

Without looking at the issue, I can say that the "deficit" and "surplus" are for the budget. Actual spending may differ, which may explain the rise of the debt.

MaysonL on Sept 15, 2014 | [–]

"Debt" includes the Treasury securities held by Social Security and Medicare trust funds, I believe.

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact