[George Smiley]

According to this FR post referencing a Washington Times article that's long vanished, it began in 1991, which would have put the blame for it squarely on the Democratic-controlled Congress of the day.

With GHWB's collusion, perhaps.

[George Smiley]

Tax "compromise" of 1990, where the Democrats "rolled" George HW Bush:

The tax increases were enacted, but the agreed-upon spending cuts never happened.

[Logical me]

With GHWB's collusion, perhaps.

I assume this is an assumption on your part.