Deficit?

What is the old joke?  When is a decrease in spending really an increase in spending?

Well, apparently Congress is at it again.  The deficit for the next fiscal year is supposed to be under $1 trillion, about $900 billion.  And, our political leaders tell us, that's "good news."  "Good news?"

It's great how they aim for, say 15% increases in spending in the budget, and if they only get an increase of 10%, they consider that a "cut."  Huh? 

And what's with this "Gang of Four" plan for the illegal immigration problem?  It sure sounds like an amnesty to me.  Now, I'm actually in favor of immigration.  After all, each of my four grandparents was an immigrant.  And the so-called "anchor babies" are, in my book, natural-born US citizens.  But I have some problems with merely giving all those who are now here illegally legal status with one swipe of the magic legislative wand.  First, what about all those immigrants who are doing things the right way, that is, legally?  What message about not obeying the laws does this amnesty say?  Second, what about all the back taxes the illegals have paid over the years?  They've taken advantage of living here for free (that is, no taxes)--schools, roads, medical help, etc.  And, they've been a burden on the rest of Americans.  Third, let's see, wouldn't such a blanket amnesty (oh, these guys won't call it that, but they just make up stuff anyway) encourage a great influx of illegals?  The explanation that there would be a cut-off date, perhaps a year (back to 2012), for amnesty is a joke.  These guys can't be that stupid, can they?  (But, some folks I know who have dealings with the DC-types assure me that can be that stupid.)  How do they know exactly when an illegal came here, how long he/she has been here?  It a guy says he's been here five years, how can anyone say different?  Oh, I see...they'll check is visa/passport. 

It's also nice to know that the latest projections have Social Security running out even sooner than what was project just last year.  And, if the projections keep getting more and more dire, anyone younger than 50 or 55 won't see a penny.  Great job politicians!  Over the decades, you have succeeded in making people believe Social Security is an old-age pension, not merely the supplement it was originally intended to be.