Ronald Reagan on the Budget Deficit!

From Douglas Brinkley, ed. (2007), The Reagan Diaries (New York: Harper Collins: 9780060876005).

Interesting how Reagan never asked his economic advisers: "Well, isn't what you are telling me now inconsistent with what you told me last year?" Easy to bamboozle. And nobody appears to have tried to unbamboozle him:

Tue Sep 8 1981: Back on schedule--9 AM in the office. First of what will be several budget meetings. Hi interest rates are going to force more budget cuts or we won't meet our 82, 83, and 84 targets. I've given the order--we'll cut and we'll meet the goals we set for ourselves. We have to convince the money market that we mean it and that means some cuts in defense. But we have to do that in such a way that the world sees us as keeping our word to restore our defense strength. It can be done.

Thur Sep 10 1981: Dropped in on meeting of Ec. Advisors--a roomful of our country's greatest economists. None of them could explain why interest rates are so high.

Sun Oct 17 1981: Over to the cabinet room for a 10 AM meeting. Another bomb--the latest figures on deficit projections--bad. It seems our success is actually hurting us. Inflation is a tax. We have brought inflation down so much faster than we anticipated that tax revenues will be lower than we figured. We force the prospect of low inflation and lower interest rates--all of which is good--but gigantic deficits and that's bad.

Fri Nov 6 1981: We're going to have to build in more open time around meetings with Congressional leaders. Met 1st with Sen. leaders and meeting went 45 min. over time. Then the House Leadership which of course started late but ended later. The meetings were about the economy. With our plan barely started unforeseen things such as the high interest rates, etc. have increased the estimated deficit and make a balanced budget by '84 look unlikely. On the hill they automatically start thinking of tax increases. We differ and I think with good reason. I believe we reduced the differences between us but the press is going wild with its usual irresponsibility.

Thur Nov 12 1981: It looked like everything was going wrong today. The "Big 3" were waiting with a "what to do about Stockman" question. Before we could get into that--had a meeting with leadership Repub. of the House and Sen. on the budget--Stockman present. He asked for the floor--got up and told them he'd made a stupid mistake, etc and they applauded.

Back in the Oval Off met with staff, George B. and Don Regan. I didn't go along with one or two who wanted to fire Dave--nor did Don R. or George B.

Dave came over he and I had lunch. I had lunch--he couldn't eat. He stood up to it and then tendered his resignation. I got him to tell the whole thing about his supposed friend who betrayed him, then refused to accept his resignation. Told him he should do a "mea culpa" before the press and clear the misconceptiono that had been created by the tory. He was all set to go and did--taking their questions head on.

Tue Dec 8 1981: First a meeting to hear the 1st 1983 budget review. We who were going to balance the budget face the biggest budget deficits ever. And yet percentage wise they'll be smaller in relation to GDP. We have reduced Carter's 17% spending increase to 9%. The recession has added to costs and reduced revenues however so even with that reduction in govts. size we fact a large deficit.

Thur Dec 10 1981: Met with Council of Ec. advisors. While one or two spoke of possible tax increases after 1982 the others (majority) said no. Tax increases don't eliminate deficits they increase govt. spending. The general consensus was that our plan is the proper medicine for the recession and we should stick to it. That's what I intended to do all the time. [I.e., doesn't know that the (outside the administration) Economic Advisory Council isn't the (inside the administration) President's Council of Economic Advisers...]

Mon Dec 14 1981: Met with Paul Volcker. I'm not sure he sees the need to let the increase in money supply go forward in the upper range of their moderate schedule. The recession is because they slammed the door in April and kept it closed until Sept.--almost Oct. Our plan will get the Ec. moving again only if the Fed. allows--not an upward surge--but a moderate growth geared to Ec. growth.

Thur Dec 22 1981: A budget meeting. We've finally come together on the cuts--probably won't get all we ask for from Congress. They're so used to spending (for votes) they're getting edgy with '82 being an election year. The recession has worsened, throwing our earlier figures off. Now my team is pushing for a tax increase to help hold down the deficits. I'm being stubborn. I think our tax cuts will produce more revenue by stimulating the economy. I intend to wait and see more results.

Mon Jan 11 1982: Repub. House leaders came down to the W.H.--Except for Jack Kemp they are h--l bent on new taxes and cutting the defense budget. Looks like heavy year ahead.

Wed Jan 20 1982 The day however was a tough one. A budget meeting and pressure from everyone to give in to increases in excise taxes tied to Federalism program. I finally gave in but my heart wasn't in it.

Tue Apr 20 1982: Met with Repub. Cong. Leadership. The budget was the subject. I think they were relieved to learn that I'm willing to compromise some in return for a bi-partisan program. I called Tip O'Neill--I'm not sure he's ready to give. Tip is truly a New Deal liberal. He honestly believes that we're promoting welfare for the rich.

Fri Nov 19 1982: Back to a Cabinet meeting on the budget. Our deficits are structural as well as recession caused. We have a built in increase in the budget which is automatic--we must deal with it.

Mon Jan 3 1983: A tough budget meeting and how to announce the deficits we'll have--they are horrendous and yet the Dems. in Cong. are saying there is no room for budget cuts. Met with a group of young Repub. Congressmen. Newt Gingrich has a proposal for freezing the budget at the 1983 level. It's a tempting idea except that it would cripple our defense program. And if we make an exception on that every special interest group will be asking for the same.

Tue Jan 4 1983: Brkfst. with GOP leaders (Sen.). Gave them bad news about deficits. They agree the law that says we must project 5 yrs ahead is crazy but we still have to do it. No economist can predict more than 1 yr. ahead (if that) with any degree of accuracy.

Mon Apr 18 1983: A Budget briefing by Dave S. If the Dems. have their way the recovery will be over before it starts. They must give us the spending cuts we want or we face a trillion dollar deficit over the next 5 yrs.

Mon Jun 15 1987: A meeting with bipartisan Cong. leaders--Byrd, Jim Wright, Bob Michel, Bill Armstrong etc. We talked mainly about the budget and the Dems. of course took no blame for the deficit. I sort of corrected them on that with the 50 year history of deficit spending under Dem. control.