Government has always been in debt

Tuesday, August 2, 2011
© Copyright 2013 Albany Herald

Which of our first three retired presidents paid for his burial services?

1. George Washington

2. John Adams

3. Thomas Jefferson

10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.

No, the only retired president to pay for his burial was John Adams! If not for Martha Dandridge Custis Washington and deceased husband (Daniel Parke Custis), George Washington would have died in poverty, if not homeless. Washington worked mostly as a "land surveyor" for the federal government (who paid its debt in rum). Thomas Jefferson died with more "liability than asset." He was buried by friends and family.

All retired presidents, one term or two, receive (at now) under $200,000 a year, plus staff, protection, etc. It used to be a civic duty in Washington's day. They served two terms because it was all they could afford. Afterward, they would retire and continue their life without compensation for their duties. Congress was similar. No lifetime politicians.

Show me any government that has never been in debt, and I will show you a government that never existed. The federal government has always been in debt. We never been in the black except one year in 1835 under Andrew Jackson. Abraham Lincoln suspended the debt during the Civil War (War between the States).

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