Real US federal budget deficit is in the trillions; Congress still playing numbers games

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"We've been hiding the bottom line from the American people," says Rep. Jim Cooper, D-Tenn., "It's not fair to them, and it's delusional on our part."

Congress uses "cash accounting" -- an accounting practice that would be illegal for any U.S. corporation -- in order to report a lower deficit publicly. This method is comparable to a checking account balance which shows the daily balance, but excludes payments to be debited such as bills. Similarly, Congress has not been accounting for outflow to programs such as Medicare and Social Security. Without these omissions, the U.S. budget deficit is well over $3 trillion.

Some Congress members are lobbying for change, arguing more accurate numbers are needed when making budget decisions and that honest accounting would encourage second thoughts before approving popular spending bills.

Though the House advocated a proposal to include long-term expenses in publicly announced budgets, the bill died when Senate and House members could not agree on the numbers.

Supporters of open accounting practices on Capitol Hill say it is time for Congress to be straightforward about accounting procedures, particularly when the viability of Medicare, Social Security and government pensions are being called into question.

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About the author: Mike Adams is a consumer health advocate with a passion for teaching people how to improve their health He is a prolific writer and has published thousands of articles, interviews, reports and consumer guides, reaching millions of readers with information that is saving lives and improving personal health around the world. Adams is a trusted, independent journalist who receives no money or promotional fees whatsoever to write about other companies' products. In 2007, Adams launched EcoLEDs, a manufacturer of mercury-free, energy-efficient LED lighting products that save electricity and help prevent global warming. He also founded an environmentally-friendly online retailer called BetterLifeGoods.com that uses retail profits to help support consumer advocacy programs. He's also the founder of a well known HTML email software company whose 'Email Marketing Director' software currently runs the NaturalNews subscription database. Adams also serves as the executive director of the Consumer Wellness Center, a non-profit consumer protection group, and enjoys outdoor activities, nature photography, Pilates and adult gymnastics. He's also author of numerous health books published by Truth Publishing and is the creator of several consumer-oriented grassroots campaigns, including the Spam. Don't Buy It! campaign, and the free downloadable Honest Food Guide. He also created the free reference sites HerbReference.com and HealingFoodReference.com. Adams believes in free speech, free access to nutritional supplements and the ending of corporate control over medicines, genes and seeds. Known by his callsign, the 'Health Ranger,' Adams posts his missions statements, health statistics and health photos at www.HealthRanger.org

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