Building inventories counts as a plus in GDP accounting, and selling them deducts from GDP growth.

FORBES: Good News Means No Recession, But Downturn Lingers On The Margins

As with any lease, the business deducts lease expenses before net profit passes through as income to shareholders.

FORBES: The Stealth Benefits Of Small Business Ownership

And in making these calculations, Mr Malkiel plays fair: he deducts the typical running expense (one-fifth of 1%) charged by an index fund.

ECONOMIST: Can you beat the blindfolded monkey?

The stat issues points for postive accomplishments like retiring a batter or recording a strikeout, and deducts points for negatives like walks and hits allowed.

FORBES: Was Matt Cain's Perfect Game the Greatest Pitching Performance in Major League History?

Mr. Obama complains in his budget that it's not fair that the rich get to deduct 35% for their mansions and charitable receipts, while the middle class deducts only 15% or 20%.

WSJ: Stephen Moore: Flat Is the New Fair

For example, it turns out that if you set up a system with your employer where the employer automatically deducts some of your paycheck and puts it into your 401(k) account, unless you say you don't want it done, it turns out people save more just naturally.

WHITEHOUSE: The Economy and the American Family