Stop Blaming Bush for a Shrinking Surplus

With this column, we introduce Ben Stein, trial lawyer, speechwriter to presidents, columnist, novelist and nonfiction writer, screenwriter, actor and game show host. As always, let us know what you think.

---

The federal budget surplus -- the amount by which revenue is expected to exceed spending -- is falling from where it was six months ago. This is occasioning some of the most outrageously nonsensical commentary I've ever seen. To point out just how ridiculous all of these alarums and excursions about the falling budget surplus are, and how they are just political hatchet work against President Bush, I offer a few facts and observations: ...