Why are Americans so in love with big government?

[DanS]

The federal gov't shutdown of '95 - '96 probably was the turning point. Afterwards, the GOP basically rolled over for Clinton with regard to spending and the GOP upper echelons started being stacked with folks who were antithetical to core GOP values. We lost the tune ~ fiscal year 1998.

[KrazyHorse]

Dan, I actually don't see much of a pattern at all

[Drake Tungsten]

GW Bush

[Dinner]

He's the ultimate Republican. Exactly what they do every time they're in power.

[Drake Tungsten]

That's not what KH's chart shows. Not that I expect any intellectual honesty out of you.

[Caligastia]

Hmmm...time to get my fourth passport. Canada, here I come!

[Berzerker]

George Bush et al masquerading as capitalists have lost the cold war

[DanS]

Dan, I actually don't see much of a pattern at all

There were a few steps that led to the breakdown in spending discipline. That's why you wouldn't necessarily see it in Clinton's figures.

After the federal government shutdown in 1996, the GOP suffered some setbacks in the 1996 & 1998 elections. Subsequently, there was turnover in the GOP leadership, and the new leadership stopped using pay-go. The new leadership began work on the fiscal year 2000 budget, which is when all the crap started being added in.

I don't like Gingrich, but in hindsight his speakership was actually pretty good, at least as far as spending is concerned.

[KrazyHorse]

Dan, I think you have too much of a romantic view of the Republican party. From what I can see there's not much spending difference between Democrats and Republicans.

[Darius871]

Back to the truly important issue: how did you ever come across a snapshot of a polar bear munching on some fat lady?

[Drake Tungsten]

Awesome...

Treasurys fall on weak demand at 30-year auction

NEW YORK (AP) — Treasury prices fell Thursday after weak demand at an auction for 30-year bonds unnerved investors.

The Treasury Department was forced to pay greater interest than had been expected in an auction of $14 billion in 30-year notes. The government has been issuing debt at a record pace to finance the economic stimulus and financial rescue efforts.

Demand for the safety of government debt also fell as new applications for unemployment benefits dropped last week to the lowest level in 14 weeks. Retail results also improved as Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and other stores reported April sales figures that beat expectations.

The slide in prices also came ahead of the government's release of its "stress tests" on the nation's 19 largest financial companies. The government said 10 of 19 have to come up with more capital but news reports in recent days had quelled some worries on Wall Street about how much would have to be raised.

The benchmark 10-year Treasury note fell 31/32 and its yield jumped to 3.27 percent from 3.16 percent late Wednesday.

The 30-year bond tumbled 2 25/32 and its yield jumped to 4.26 percent from 4.11 percent.

The two-year note slipped 2/32 while its yield was flat at 0.97 percent.

The yield on the three-month Treasury bill was flat at 0.17 percent from Wednesday. The discount rate was 0.18 percent.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gXJkHBkXwQWtPp4EaKg_ly_7cM_AD981MHG01

How many more billions in debt is Obama planning to raise this year?

[KrazyHorse]

This is actually good news, economically.

Fiscally, not so good.

[Krill]

The UK went through something similar a few months ago...

[Drake Tungsten]

This is actually good news, economically.

Fiscally, not so good.

True. I'm more worried about the fiscal outlook, though.

[KrazyHorse]

Back to the truly important issue: how did you ever come across a snapshot of a polar bear munching on some fat lady?

http://apolyton.net/forums/showthread.php?t=184811