re: Bush request scribbled in red ink to the tune of $525 billion
Let's not forget that we had a $300B surplus under the last administration. This is an $825B swing. These are big numbers even for an $11T economy, and they'll likely get even bigger next year.
Deficit spending on this level is not going to destroy the country, but it does siphon off investment capital that otherwise could go to the private sector. And it creates a lack of confidence on Wall Street and Main Street, and that could slow the recovery.