ten different ways to measure the nation

ten different ways to measure the nation:

"ON DEBTS AND DEFICITS:

-- The national debt in 2001: $5.7 trillion

-- The national debt in Jan. 2008: $9.2 trillion

[U.S. Dept. of the Treasury]

-- Monthly U.S. trade deficit in Oct. 2000: $33.8 billion

-- Monthly U.S. trade deficit in Oct. 2007: $57.8 billion

-- U.S. trade deficit in 2000: $380 billion

-- U.S. trade deficit in 2007: $759 billion

[U.S. Census Bureau, Dec. 12, 2007]

-- Value of one Euro in Jan. 2000: $1.01

-- Value of one Euro in Jan. 2008: $1.45

-- Loss of value of the Dollar relative to the Euro from Jan. 2000 to Jan. 2008: 45 percent

[Federal Reserve Statistical Release]

-- Value of an ounce of gold in 2000 (inflation adjusted): $319

-- Value of an ounce of gold in 2008: $892

[GoldPrice.org, Jan. 22 2008]

-- U.S. budget surplus in 2000: +$236 billion

-- U.S. budget deficit in 2007: -$354 billion" (3)