85 billion X 10 = 850 billion 850 billion is not ten percent of 16 trillion, and, the deficit is projected to be over 20 trillion in ten years. The Decatur Daily seems as fuzzy at math as it is with economics. Again, higher taxes lead to higher unemployment. As one can clearly see, it does little to relieve our deficit, but, it makes the poor FEEL better if the rich hurt also. President Obama told the nation on 60 Minutes that he was LESS interested in revenue and MORE interested in tax fairness. He too wants to hurt the achievers in society and claims his election is a mandate to do just that. Liberalism is about spreading the misery around equally. Basing national economic policy on the desire of the poor is akin to turning the asylum over to the insane. The poor have no more economic knowledge than journalism majors working for small rural newspapers. One should never seek economic advice from either.

The Obama Administration has no interest in cuts other than the military. Any revenue raised with new taxes will be quickly spent. This article talks only about the deficit. We also have a huge debt that we're on the hook to pay back.

Otis. 16 trillion is the total debt. The deficit is the difference in revenue and expenses each year. But I get your point.

Thanks John, I should have used the word accumulated.