When a 'record' isn't a record
Earlier this year, we heard about "record high gasoline prices." Only problem was, when adjusted in real dollar terms, they weren't record highs at all. Now, the same economic illiterates are making the same fundamental mistake proclaiming "record high deficits." They aren't record highs at all.
The only valid way you can compare dollar amounts over time is to adjust for inflation. It really isn't all that hard. But then, it does require using an inflation calculator and a little math and the result isn't the politically biased headline that the reporters and sychophants want.