See the chart link below of actual and projected U.S. federal budget surpluses and deficits. Data comes from the White House and the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office.

From Instapundit: We're out of money

Tax Freedom Day is a date computed by the Tax Foundation to illustrate how much our federal income, state income, payroll, sales and other taxes cost us. If we all were to pay all of our income for our 2009 taxes up front starting January 1, 2009, we would not see any cash for ourselves until April, 13, 2009.

This year's estimate also includes another date for the annual federal budget deficit. If that excess debt was paid up front out of our incomes, Tax Freedom Day would be May 29, 2009. If you cannot get to the restroom in time, keep a sickness bag next to your PC when reading this kind of news.

If you've not done your taxes, it is time to get busy. It's a nasty chore. I fork over the bucks to use TurboTax online to ease the pain. (Yes, it's a plug but I like them.) And for you procrastinators, don't forget your old friend, Form 4868 (PDF file).

In good times, the U.S. Government takes us into debt. In bad times, they take us into even more debt.

CBO projects $1.2 trillion deficit for 2009

This week's cartoon is Small World's 2008 Year In Review cartoon. I encourage you to check out the cartoon archive for what you missed from the past year.

Christmas has been one of the most visiting subjects here at Small World Cartoons. How better to celebrate the holiday than with my snarky commentary? Take a few minutes to read the Cartoons of Christmas Past.

You could be excited about this. But if it applies to your vocabulary, you may not care.

'Meh': Apathetic expression enters dictionary

Excellent commentary from Scrappleface:
Amended Rescue Allows Buyout of Other Bad Decisions

The animators at Jib Jab have done it again: Time for Some Campaignin'! Watch it now while it's still funny.

You're spoofed on Saturday Night Live.

`SNL' debuts with Fey as Palin, Phelps as host
See the SNL Palin video

Good presidential campaign commentary from the AP of all places:

Campaign shocks! The Outrage Machine is on a roll

I didn't need to tell you cats were evil did I? Check out the horns on this one.

Fame finds 4-eared feline thanks to Internet photo