What Passes for Good News in Washington

Break out the domestic sparkling wine – it’s time to celebrate a new era of fiscal restraint! It seems the federal budget deficit for the fiscal year ending in September is only going to be $205 billion. That’s down from $413 billion in 2004, in case you haven’t been keeping track. At this rate, the Congressional Budget Office even thinks we could start seeing a surplus…in 2012. Maybe. Meanwhile, as Wayne reminds us in this year’s installment of 10,000 Commandments, estimated costs from federal regulation have hit $1.14 trillion. What’s in your wallet?