Does any on e think the "Economy" would be growing it we weren't spending

Billions in IRAQ? Take the unfunded military expenses out of the equation and where are we?

We're spending nearly $400 billion in borrowed money. That is nearly 4% of GDP. GDP is growing at about 3%--voila!

No deficit spending by "conservative" BushCo and you get a big recession.

Here is the explanation. Every bullet that is fired or uniform that is ruined needs to be replaced... hence that gives work to some folks back home. Because a certain percentage of components need to be American they are forced to actually hire people

Repukes tried to even get rid of that little part of the law

Look folks it is time people understand this... the policies of this administration are not unlike those of Herbert Hoover or Ronald Reagan. Herbert Hoover led to the great Depresion, there was no massive military spending to keep somethings afloat, as they existed in the 1980s.

Problem is, not even dad or Reagan were looney enough to fully go for Hoover's program, maybe they remembered the effects. Bush, on the other hand.... well you know...

I think that the 2nd quarter GDP was around 3%. That's because of productivity - people are working harder. The problem is a combination of bad policy decisions. There was stimulus that was needed for a very minor recession that ended in December 2001. They did the wrong kind of stimulus. Something needs to be done about the cost of prescription drugs, but they didn't solve that problem with their 400+ billion bill. Instead they gave money to HMO's, etc, and ignored the actual COST of healthcare. It goes on and on.

It's not Iraq because that's not an "entitlement" program - it's not a "forever" cost - at least I hope not. The American people are having a hard time because of $50/barrel oil, skyrocketing healthcare costs, stagnant wages, and a government that inspires fear. It's hard to get corporations to invest when everyone is frightened. Their rhetoric really dampens hopes for prosperity.

I have a new business and every time Bush did a tax cut, my business would show a tiny boost and then drag down for months afterward. I think its because when we run high deficits, that affects the interest rates and causes everyone who isn't getting a big tax cut to cut back on their discretional expenses.