It’s certainly true that because of a rapidly contracting economy – due in large measure to housing policies promoted by and regulatory reforms blocked by Democrats during the last decade – President Obama is facing enormous economic challenges, and a deficit that is much higher than it would otherwise have been. But whereas President Bush’s steps were targeted and temporary, Obama has decided to use this crisis to expand, to an unprecedented degree, the size and scope of government.

President Obama’s budget calls for adding more to the National Debt in the first 20 months and 11 days of his term – $3.2 trillion – than was added during the eight years of the Bush presidency ($2.9 trillion.  That’s after Mr. Obama attacked Bush’s record on the debt, saying “We cannot, and will not, sustain deficits like these without end.”