Monday, Feb. 09, 2004
Numbers
$500 billion Federal budget deficit this fiscal year, an upward revision by congressional forecasters to a level that exceeds even last year's record $375 billion
$530 billion Price tag over 10 years of a new Medicare law offering prescription-drug benefits and private health plans to the elderly, an upward revision from the original estimate of $400 billion
$3,189.53 Amount netted in an eBay auction of Iowa caucus memorabilia
$5,404 Winning bid in a separate auction for an Argyle sweater worn by Wesley Clark on the campaign trail
40 million E-mail messages written by Bill Clinton's staff to be archived in his presidential library
2 E-mails written during his terms by Clinton himself, one of them a test to see if he knew which buttonto press
100,000 Car wrecks caused by drowsy driving each year
37% Portion of drivers who admit they have nodded off behind the wheel at least once
Sources: New York Times; Ames Tribune; eBay; Reuters; USA Today