2000 - $20  Trillion
2004 - $43.3 Trillion

Thank you Republican voters.

http://www.gao.gov/cghome/whitehousewalker1205/img5.html

Yet another symptom of the demagogue. Say one thing, do another. "Smaller Government! It's Your Money! Less Taxes! We're not the world's policeman! Clean up corruption!"

If only the American people, and religious conservatives and red-staters in particular, would wake up and smell the message they've been sold. And then look closely at the reality being pursued. Perhaps they might make better choices in the future.

As it is, it's no longer "Your Money" -- the neo-cons have borrowed heavily against "Your Money" to fund the war. But since Somebody Else will have to pay for it in the future, they don't care. They're not even apologetic. In fact, they're damn proud of their record of "economic health".

Sure, anybody can look economically healthy if they're spending 25% more than they actually make. Until the bills come due, anyway.

Note I'm not saying the Red Staters should vote Democratic. But even John McCain would have been a better choice than Bush.

> would wake up and smell the message they've been sold.

When you are not part of a reality based community there's nothing to make you wake up.

It's also interesting that people now have a negative savings rate.

So our economy is being supported by massive public and private debt. And it's not even that good of economy. Income has not grown in real terms at all.

I would totally have voted for McCain. I rooted for him in the primaries.

But then, I liked Clark, too.

"I would totally have voted for McCain. I rooted for him in the primaries."

Clearly the McCain propaganda is taking root. You know McCain is further to the right then Bush politically right?

" But then, I liked Clark, too."

If Clark had won the nomination, he would be in office now, no doubt.

McCain is pretty bad on civil rights, death penalty, & war on drugs. Good on government reform. Mixed bag on health care and the environment.

I'm not sure I'd vote for him over Kerry, but over Bush absolutely.

> even John McCain would have been a better choice than Bush

A McCain Oven Chip would have been a better choice.

Phil -

I guess maybe the PR for McCain did get to me. I honestly can't say that I investigated him very far.

I did like Clark a lot, though.

Wait... I thought prescription drug coverage was "good" according to Dems/Libs?

Oh wait, it was done by a Republican, so it's "bad".

My bad.