The Week

This just in from the Department of Energy: Motorists with odd-numbered names will hereafter be required to drive on even-numbered roads, and vice versa, unless you display three special dispensation stamps on your windshield, which may be purchased at all post offices or from members of Congress.

In January President Carter sent to the Congress a “stringent budget” for fiscal year 1980 (10/79 to 10/80) with a deficit of $28 billion. In May the Congress did him one better—an “austere budget” with a deficit of $23 billion. Not that the Congress’ budget spends a dime less than the President’s, mind you. They both look to spending $532 billion in 1980. The Congress proved it was more austere than the President was stringent by assuming the Treasury would collect $5 billion more in tax revenues. Speaking of taxes, they are rising. That balanced budget promised for 1981 will be, due to inflation, squeezing $17 billion more out of taxpayers by pushing them into higher brackets.

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This just in from the Department of Energy: Motorists with odd-numbered names will hereafter be required to drive on even-numbered roads, and vice versa, unless you display three special dispensation stamps on your windshield, which may be purchased at all post offices or from members of Congress.

In January President Carter sent to the Congress a “stringent budget” for fiscal year 1980 (10/79 to 10/80) with a deficit of $28 billion. In May the Congress did him one better—an “austere budget” with a deficit of $23 billion. Not that the Congress’ budget spends a dime less than the President’s, mind you. They both look to spending $532 billion in 1980. The Congress proved it was more austere than the President was stringent by assuming the Treasury would collect $5 billion more in tax revenues. Speaking of taxes, they are rising. That balanced budget promised for 1981 will be, due to inflation, squeezing $17 billion more out of taxpayers by pushing them into higher brackets.