The confusion comes from the difference between what Republicans say they will do and what they end up doing. For example, here is an excerpt from a speech given by Reagan in support of a balanced budget amendment.
"We must not, and we will not, permit prospects for lasting economic recovery to be buried beneath an endless tide of red ink," Reagan said in his Rose Garden remarks. "Americans understand that the discipline of a balanced-budget amendment is essential to stop squandering and overtaxing. And they're saying the time to pass the amendment is now."
And here is how the deficit grew under Reagan:
![[Image: 2020-04-30-National-Debt-to-GDP-zFacts.jpg]](https://zfacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/2020-04-30-National-Debt-to-GDP-zFacts.jpg)
"We must not, and we will not, permit prospects for lasting economic recovery to be buried beneath an endless tide of red ink," Reagan said in his Rose Garden remarks. "Americans understand that the discipline of a balanced-budget amendment is essential to stop squandering and overtaxing. And they're saying the time to pass the amendment is now."
And here is how the deficit grew under Reagan:
