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The NYT implied that large budget deficits have been a longstanding problem in an article discussing the progress of the supercommittee working on a deficit plan. It told readers that the committee is trying to find solutions:

“in a matter of weeks, to find fiscal answers that have eluded Congress and the White House for years.”

Actually, the budget deficits prior to the downturn were relatively modest. The Congressional Budget Office actually projected that the deficit would turn to a surplus after the Bush tax cuts were scheduled to expire this year. The large deficits were caused by the downturn, not inadequate taxation or excessive spending.