On your second point about Clinton I do think he was great president because he was able to balance our budget. I don’t disagree that the dot com boom was largely responsible for this growth. But if it wasn’t for the government, the internet and the underlying technology wouldn’t existed. The internet came about mostly through Military research and University grants which are largely funded by the government (I’m sure there were private foundations that gave grants to Universities to study this, but it was mostly the government).

Your other point in the paragraph about TARP is completely off base. I’m sure within your group of friends you think TARP was a bad idea. But in my group of friends and 90% of economist agree that TARP prevented us from entering another depression, and it was probably a good idea. And at the end of the day it only cost the Tax Payers around $89 billion. Yes that is alot of money, but I would be willing to throw $100′s of Billions of dollars into the economy if it would prevent another depression.

Now I’m not ignoring Obama’s projected deficits or anything of the sort. I do view those as important issues that we need to figure out. But I tend to view the deficit as long term issue. The economists at Moody’s investments also feel the same way. Now I know Moody’s has lost a lot of credibility, but they’re one of the few groups who take the trouble to perform 30-50 year forecasts. The more immediate concern in America is Job growth. Unfortunately the Private Sector isn’t willing to hire any new employees because the economic outlook is grim. However the Government can provide and incentives to hire workers through stimulus packages.

Now I’m sure you would rather have the government cut taxes and everything, but Tax cuts are the worst form of stimulus for an economy. I’ve attached and article from Moody’s (I know) http://endtheecho.wordpress.com/2008/01/25/moodys-on-economic-stimulus-package/ which shows that other than direct payroll tax cuts, tax cuts are a horrible form of stimulus. My question for you Paulie, is do you know why that is?

Now I’m sure I making a generalization here, but most conservatives believe prvate companies aren’t hiring because they aren’t sure what there tax position is going to be. I work in the Finance Department of a fortune 500 company, and Taxes are the least of anyone’s concern. and by the way America has one of the lowest effective tax rates on corporations. Yes, Corporate taxes start at 39%, but most companies only pay 10%-20% of the pre-tax income to the government. Just as an FYI to all readers pre-tax income is what you have leftover after you pay everyone.

And your final point, Obama treats every American with respect. He doesn’t denounce conservatives as morons or a fring group. He would stand up for the rights of the smallest minority. And he hasn’t done anything to you other than push his agenda. And if I recall he was elected because Americans favored his agenda over John McCain. Now as far deserving respect, he is the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. Maybe you disagree with the man holding that title, but I will always respect the position. I didn’t agree with GWB, but I treated him with respect because I respect the office he held. And as much as my friends all wore their “Not my President Shirts” I still defended the office of president.

Now I’m sure I’m coming off as a little condescending in some of my points. But you’re whole thesis of what you wrote is to try and paint Obama as a terrible president and that he is responsible for where we are. He is not, nor is GWB or Clinton, GHWB, or Reagen. The real responsibility lies on each and everyone of us as Americans who demand something from our government, but are unwilling to pay for it. We as Americans allowed our corporations to run amock, our government to go unchecked both democrats and republicans. But you want to know something. I’m not afraid of the future. Why? because I’m only 21 and as my generation and our “Liberal” view come of age this country will be whipped back into shape.

I look forward to hearing back from Paulie.

1) The largest since 1948 was under Reagan. If I wanted to talk about all of US history I would have included a different chart. I chose to include this chart to reflect life after WWII. We all know about the depression. I assume that you think FDR was the greatest president ever and ended the depression. I am of the mindset that he extended it. I am NOT dishonest in presenting my facts.

2) I didn’t ignore the deficit, but I will gladly write another article to discuss that if you like, since Barry has taken the concept to entirely new levels.

3) I started with the last Clinton year to SHOW the fact that there was a surplus when Dubya entered office. I assume you think Clinton created it and you probably give him credit for the great economy when in fact that little thing called the Dot Com Boom created the jobs and revenue. My point was to show that GWB started with a surplus and then spent too much. I also would like to point out that after the bottom in 2004 the deficit was trending back toward surplus until the Democrats took over and started spending (with Dubya’s approval of course). You can’t factor out TARP, which most rational people thought was a horrible idea You still can’t ignore Barry’s massive projected deficits. In other words, I’m not neglecting data.

4) I have better names for the presider, but I try to keep my blog rated PG. Would you be upset if I called him “Barack-O?” Think about it. Have you answered yet? I’m betting the answer is yes. Well, “Barack-O” is a nickname I picked up from an old black man that is a staunch support of Mr. Sortero. Tell you what; I’ll start treating our president with respect when he starts treating ME with respect. I won’t hold my breath.

One last thing: referring to Barack Obama as Barry is highly disrespectful. George W Bush had the nickname, that he approved of and existed prior to the 2000 election, of Dubya. Barack Obama has, over the course of his entire adult life, insisted that he not be called Barry. It’s pretty disrespectful to use that nickname when he has asked people who actually know him not to use it.

Now the funny thing about this unprecedented growth was that it occured when the individual tax rates on the wealthiest Americans was 90% until ’61 when another liberal (Kennedy) lowered that top bracket to 70%. And the funny thing about all of this is; if you look at the public opinion polls Americans felt that the Tax system is fair.

Now times change and new policies should be put into place, but Neo-Con policies are just as bad as socialist policies. Starting with Uncle Ronny in the 80′s, a wave a deregulation has flooded across the United States. Politicians from both parties embraced this and finally in 2008 it came to a head and the markets realized that they need to correct. There is a balance between a well regulated market and a completely free market, and this balance constantly shifts. We just need to be aware.

Now the problem with the Tea Party and these constitutional fundamentalists is you HAVE NO CLUE WHAT THE CONSTITUTION IS!!!!. I REPEAT YOU HAVE NO CLUE WHAT THE CONSTITUTION SAYS!!!! Nowhere does it say the government has a specific job. Nowhere does it say that congress can’t make a law. No where does it say how to run this country. It just guarantees people certain rights that the government cannot take away. However the government has since the 1790′s seen fit to limit certain freedoms as certain times. (see Aliens and Sedition acts)

Now for those of you who have read the federalists and the anti-federalist papers you should understand that the constitution was not meant to be a static document. The constitution is a living breathing document that has to be changed for the times we live in. It’s not perfect, but its adaptable. That’s what makes the constitution and this country great.