[Hank Rearden]

When they criticize our "obscene deficits" they are not suggesting we limit the growth of government spending. They think we should just jack up the tax rates, especially on the rich.

Yes, I know that. But nonetheless, the deficits under Bush are obscene and inexcusable, except by those who willingly blind themselves to what's going on.

And with Bush's "free" pill vote-buying scam and other liberal spending initiatives he's approved, the situation is going to get much worse. "Tax cut" is the wrong label to apply to deferred taxation - that's all they are if you're unwilling to slash Big Stupid Government spending.

[spinestein]

I agree. Probably the most important policy change that came from the "Contract with America" (remember way back to 94?) was the spending caps imposed on congress. It is that more than anything else that ended the budget deficits and removed an obstacle to economic growth. Sadly, now that the spending caps have expired all the Democrats and most of the Republicans (including Bush) think that 8 percent growth rates in government spending are OK.

Bush has made noises in the past week about reducing this spending and that's encouraging, but I'll believe it when I see it. And you can bet that limiting the rate of government growth is only going to be done over the Democrats dead bodies, if you believe their rhetoric.