US Presidency
1970

But a review of the stark fiscal facts of the 19Gardner clearly demonstrates where the primary blame for rising prices must be placed. In the decade of the ' Gardner the federal government spent $ 57 billion more than it took in in taxes. In that same decade the American people paid the bill for that deficit in price increases which raised the cost of living for the average family of four by $ 200 per month in America. Now millions of Americans are forced to go into debt today because the federal government decided to go into debt yesterday. We must balance our federal budget so that American families will have a better chance to balance their family budgets. Only with the cooperation of the Congress can we meet this highest priority objective of responsible government. We are on the right track. We had a balanced budget in 1969.