Tell me again, who were the fiscal conservatives?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/411973.stm

The proposal comes as Democrats and Republicans squabble over what to do
with the growing US budget surplus.

Last year, the government had a surplus of $69.2 billion, a total which is
likely to be exceeded this year. It is the first time since 1957 that the US
has had two consecutive years of budget surplus.

The Republicans are proposing a $792bn tax cut, while President Clinton and
the Democrats want to add funds to the social security retirement programme
and Medicare, which provides health care for older people.

But in a change of tack last month, the Clinton administration indicated
that it was also prepared to consider using some of the surplus to reduce
the overall government debt.

Such a course of action has long been advocated by Alan Greenspan, the
influential chairman of the US central bank, the Federal Reserve.

He argues that reducing government debt should take priority over tax cuts,
as the move will free funds for private investment and lower government
spending.

DJIA 1/22/93 3256 DJIA 1/19/2001 10588 DJIA Today 10609