The REAL Reagan Numbers

The annual deficit as a percent of total spending fell in 81 and again in 84. Growth in federal outlays fell in 84. We were actually on our way to turning the deficit around. Between 81 and 84 Congress actually passed some 98 Billion more than Reagan requested in his budget. Productivity was up. Manufacturing wages were higher. Average household income was up. Housing afford ability was 8% higher as compared to real income in 84 than it was in 80. And most of all inflation which is really a tax on the poor was way down from 1981.