Quick economics question; Has our budget ever NOT been in deficit?

Question

Isn't it actually healthy for the US to be in some debt? And hasn't it always been negative? sources plz. thanks

Answer 1

the last time there was a federal budget surplus was 2001, $128.2 bilION SURPLUS

Historical chart on the link below, pg 21-22 the total surplus or deficit column.

Answer 2

Running a budget deficit in peace time when the country was not in recession is a recent phenomenon . We had a surplus for a brief time in the late 90's and through much the 50's
http://www.kowaldesign.com/budget/.
Most economist consider the government running a deficit a good thing during economic downturns, and the FED uses the debt to manipulate the money supply, Most also agree that the government competing with firms for loanable money during high growth periods not good.

Answer 3

no. We were not in deficit in the early 1800's. The Alexander Hamilton was the first treasurer of the US. He was also the first guy to get us out of debt. This is why he is on the ten dollar bill. Our country goes in debt every time we enter a war. The point where we had the biggest spike in increase of debt was at out entry into the vietnam war.

Answer 4

President Clinton left us with a surplus. We could've used it to fund Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid, a national health program or perhaps rebuild our failing infrastructure.

Unfortunately, The Republicans decided to spend it all on Iraq. It is the greatest foreign policy mistake, and perhaps the greatest domestic policy mistake, in U.S. history.