The Alleged Budget Surplus, Social Security, & Voodoo Economics [ペーパーバック]

Dr. Allen W. Smith has written accurately and understandably about a topic that usually well informed citizens avoid. We have heard such a drumbeat of the phrase "budget surplus". What is behind the numbers? Smith rightly complains that the total of the operating budget and the social security budget should not be added together to arrive at the size of the "surplus". Social security funds are owned by the SS Trust. They are not a kitty for program expansion or tax relief. The SOCIAL SECURITY surplus comes from a tax plan that was intended to shore it up for the future. By contrast, the operating budget surplus for 1999 was real but small. Projections for the future do anticipate a rise but with dubious assumptions of long term continuous expansion. Smith reminds us of our existing debt of $5.6 trillion at the end of 1999, requiring over $353 billion to finance. He criticizes both political parties for not putting the budget numbers in context and not advocating responsible fiscal policy. Smith has written several well received books and has been interviewed by CNN and numerous radio talk shows. This book is necessary to citizen literacy on economic policy for the present and future. Review by Victor Stolzfus, Ph.D, President Emeritus, Goshen College (IN)

I didn't just read this book, I studied it. I have highlights on every page. Then from the information gained in this book and other books by Mr. Smith, I composed my own post regarding the National Debt which I posted on my blog, The Hobo Philosopher. Other folks picked up my post entitled "The National Dept with a Noble Solution." It is now posted all over the internet. I see it everywhere. This book was written and published in 2000 - G. W. Bush wasn't even president at the time. Johnson and Clinton receive equal criticism along side Reagan and Bush #1. Reagan and Bush contributed to the problem more substantially - the numbers don't lie. Therefore they get their fair share of criticism.

The book is non-political. It states the naked facts about what has been done to the Social Security Fund over the years. Everything is documented from government sources. It comes complete with charts, figures, dates and years. The book is only 128 pages long. It is the best primer on the problems with the Social Security Fund that I have ever read. You get the whole sad story right here in one very easy to understand volume.

Mr. Smith is a teacher - and that is very evident. He is obviously a good teacher. If you want to know about the Social Security Trust Fund, where it went and who did what, this is the best book you could buy. The author faults Democrats as well as Republicans. He has to ... because both parties have been guilty in the misuse and deception.

Mr. Smith is a teacher, not a politician. The book contains nothing but the facts. It is organized and simple to read.

Mt. Smith is clearly an intelligent man, a dedicated teacher, very knowledge in the discipline of economics and a tax-payer with a sincere commitment to the Social Security System. He has been teaching economics on a college level as his career. He tells it like it is.

If you want a simple, concise, documented primer on the Social Security Trust Fund, this is your book ... buy 2 and give one to an interested friend or another retiree.

Richard Noble - The Hobo Philosopher - Author of:

"America on Strike" American Labor - History

Dr. Smith's book is fresh air in this political season of rhetoric concerning the so-called budget surplus. He has done an excellent job of tracing our country's economic policies through the various administrations of both major parties and helps one to understand how we got to today's situation.

I was especially struck at the fairness and even-handedness of Dr. Smith when dealing with both Democratic and Republican stances on the "surplus". He is very hard on Presidents Johnson and Reagan in creating the national debt that threatens our national economic well-being. He is also critical of both Al Gore and George W. Bush in their proposed uses of the "surplus".

This book is also well written. Dr. Smith has an uncanny way of taking complicated economic principles and rewording them in a straight forward, easy-to-understand format that was refreshing to read.

In summary I enthusiastically give this book the highest rating! It is a book for all open-minded persons how are willing to look beyond the rhetoric of today's politicians and seek the truth .