[groanup]

"The federal deficit is the real problem. If a Democrat was in the White House I'd probably get close to 100% agreement around here."

I think you'll get 100% agreement around here that spending is out of control. The deficit is much, much lower than the norm in a time of war. And let's not even go to the "biggest deficit in history" crap. It isn't. You have to measure the deficit in terms of the balance sheet and the income statement.

[Moonman62]

I think you'll get 100% agreement around here that spending is out of control. The deficit is much, much lower than the norm in a time of war.

The military still only takes up about 4% of our GDP. It's nothing compared to WWII. Using the war as an excuse is the typical W apolegetics. GWB has a perfect "no veto" record. Something he also did as governor long before the War.

[Moonman62]

I think you'll get 100% agreement around here that spending is out of control. The deficit is much, much lower than the norm in a time of war.

Right, you're not using the War as an excuse. I look at government spending as how much it really needs, not how much we can afford. Therefore, justifications as a percentage of GDP or any other measure mean nothing to me. GWB's no veto record tells me all I need to know.

I do grant that you are talking about the deficit and I recognize your point that we all pretty much agree that spending is out of control.