re: deficits.
It's not the only weapon we had. Not by a long shot. It's just the only method that buys the Democrats the power expansion they want.
I've watched Obama invoke that same "no alternative" straw man a number of times already, saying the Republicans "want to do nothing." Meanwhile Republican ideas on payroll taxes, capital gains reductions, and others were crumpled up in the House, set on fire, and tossed out the window.
Hadn't you noticed most of the spending has jack shit to do with economic recovery? Do I have to post that chart again, too?