Although no expert, I'll give this one a shot Sedley.

Why did the deficit grow in those years?

First, in spite of stimulating the economy with reduced taxes for personal and businesses which drove record federal revenue; the Republican held Congress spent more than they brought in, plain and simple. (Just like Democrats do as the norm). And Bush rubber stamped all of that spending. As a conservative, I have to say that he and the Congress screwed the pooch on that one.

After 9/11, Congress pushed for, and he allowed the creation of the Dept. of Homeland Security; a monsterous bureacracy that costs billions more than the departments that it replaced and/or assimilated into itself. Personally I think that was a huge mistake.

The Bush Drug plan went to far in its spending. Although well meant; again I think a case of not using the taxpayers money as wisely as it could have been used.

The War on Terror is hugely expensive. Was the way that Bush and this country executed it the best way to go? Many have, and continue to argue this point. Absolutely something needed to be done about terrorism; the fact is that this has and is costing us a fortune. Personally I would have exucted this war completely differently; but I'm not in charge.

Bush spent $15 Billion on fighting AIDs in Africa. That seemed like a HUGE number to me at the time for us to be spending that kind of taxpayers money to help someone else. I know its a well meant thing; and that's great. But that was taxpayer money. And if we are going to spend taxpayer money on feel good programs; then it should probably be spend on us here at home first. Personally I don't think we should spend $15 billion dollars on feel good programs for anyone. Of course, after watching Oboma spend our money, $15 billion is now considered a laughable amount next to his spending.

Bush and the Democraticly held Congress started bailing out the Auto companies with our money. I think this was wrong of Bush, as I think it's wrong of Oboma and this current Congress. Let Captilasm work. Let these companies sink or swim. Bankruptcy can sort all of this out; just like it's currently doing for them. (And that's after we spend how many billions of our dollars on them?) Big mistake. Government needs to not meddle directly in the economy and with companies like that.

Why did the size of the federal government grow in those years?

I think I answered a lot of this question with my above question.

Why did $1 trillion of tax cuts pass that weren't paid for?

You'll have to explain to me here what you mean.

Why was no meaningful legislation on abortion passed?

Again, you'll have to elaborate on this question for me. Were you wanting it to be pro-abortion, or pro-life legislation?

Ok, there's my answers. Like I said, I'm no expert; but I'm honest. The Republicans in many ways screwed the pooch. That's why they're out right now; they didn't stand by their principles and practice what they preach. I sincerely hope that they are learning their lesson right now.

- 67GTO