The changes Bush was making back then included reducing taxes and other measures designed to encourage business, investment, and hiring. I approved of these measures, which would allow real economic growth to take place.

Bush did a number of other things I did not approve of, including creating new entitlements, further Federalizing the education system, and failing to hold down spending. The latter is the main reason his initial measures did not create better deficit numbers, although revenues increased over his term. In 2007, in constant dollars, revenues were higher than the previous Clinton-era record of 2000 ($2.125 trillion vs. $2.025 trillion) Not bad considering the 9/11 economic crash during that time. Unfortunately, spending outstripped that (and with a Republican congress, too).

The economic changes Obama are pushing are not the ones I want to see. They include massive spending programs and increased government control of the economy. They will make things worse, not better. His views toward business are hostile, not encouraging, and will not result in creation of the new wealth needed to grow the economy. Pumping government money into the system to grow the economy is like improving your living standard with your credit card instead of a paycheck. Looks good until the bills come in.

As an aside, have you noticed that the "no new taxes on the middle class" pledge is slowly being swept under the carpet?