>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?

Were those estimates from the CBO? They are known for issuing numbers which are routinely more pessimistic than the incumbent administration would like (either party).