Facts show deficit decreasing

The Congressional Budget Office projected recently that the federal deficit will shrink to its lowest level since President Barack Obama took office.

The CBO says that the deficit will be $468 billion for the budget year that ends in September. That is slightly less than last year's $483 billion deficit.

As a share of the economy, CBO says this year's deficit will be slightly below the historical average of the past 50 years. Contrast the $468 billion number to the $1 trillion debt level that the president inherited from President Bush due to the cost of the multiple wars we were in and the unfunded prescription drug coverage given to seniors.

Please keep these numbers in mind when you are reviewing letters from readers talking about the "record deficits run up by the Obama administration."

Jack Halpin

Arlington Heights