The table here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_public_debt from the Congressional Budget Office paints rather a different picture. Is it wrong ?

Let me give you a couple examples of government estimates as we consider the estimated $1 trillion health care bill:

• Boston's "Big Dig" Highway Project
Estimated preliminary price tag (in 1985): $2.5 billion
Actual cost with interest: $22 billion

• Medicare Part A
Estimated price tag for 1990: $9 billion
Actual cost in 1990: $67 billion

• Medicaid's Special Hospital Subsidy
Estimated cost for 1992: less than $1 billion
Actual cost in 1992: $17 billion

Is there some good reason that I should have any faith in government estimates?