That thesis suggests that the Republicans like deficits because they can then kill social programs?

I would think that common sense indicates that deficits put their re-elections in jeopardy.

Bush could only push the tax cut through because of a surplus. If there had been a deficit the tax cut would never have gone through - the democrats already hee'd and hawed even with a surplus.

You really believe that republicans are all just eager to cut every social program ion the table, don't you?

Republicans seek a balance - wherein fiscal responsibility meets "compassionate conservativism." Yes laugh. It's been mocked enough, but it is a catchphrase which was designed to offset the "evil monster" image so successfully painted upon the GOP in elections past. Clinton, with GOP urging, was the one who reformed the massively abused welfare system and - surprise - black incomes are rising at a higher rate than ever before, approaching parity with other races. The treadmill of self-destruction is now limited and finally more enter the job market and think twice about churning out kids for cash.

Social Security needs to be reformed, the numbers point to an inevitable meltdown. The democrats, do what they do best scare the heck out of seniors (even with the laughable and patheticwheelchair adnow running at the DNC) yet fail to ever provide a real solution to the problem, because they are challenged in many ways.

Heck I'd love to see some idea, any idea, come out of the DNC - even if it were as silly as buying and selling real-estate for profits, Seward's folly redux and purchasing more of the Russian republics' land and developing it...or something.

But to scare for votes without providing an alternative - is far scarier - than someone who realizes there is a problem and is trying to do something about it.

to get back to the point - I don't think deficits are a GOP ally at all. If anything the economy and the deficits are about the only bullseye the GOP wears right now.

Hope that answers your question,

SDAI-Tech1