Democrats vs. Republicans in 2008

[DarkWaters]

Hi,

I think having an objective discussion on the following two questions should be very helpful.

1.) Of the Clinton and the W. Bush Administrations, which was responsible for the greater expansion of government inteference into the economy and why? Which was responsible for greater amounts of government spending? I am pretty certain that the Bush Administration is worse on both accounts here, but citing examples and figures should help make this more apparent as to the degree of difference.

2.) Realistically speaking, is there more likely going to be greater passage of unnecessary government spending bills under a McCain presidency with a Democratic controlled Congress or under a Hillary/Obama presidency with a Democratic controlled Congress? Do we have any recent historical evidence from the W. Bush or the Clinton Administration that we can use to supplement an answer?

It is possible that there might actually be more such legislation passed and approved under a McCain Presidency. John McCain, being the great compromiser, might be willing to encourage his Republican legislature to compromise with the Democrats on many key issues such as universal health care, financial market regulation, education, campaign finance reform, tax hikes and the like, which might lead to significantly more bills being passed. However, another alternative is that John McCain might try to veto the over-the-top Democratic spending bills. However, President George W. Bush demonstrated that even a Republican President can be asleep at the switch when it comes to vetoing unnecessary government spending bills that are not pertinent to religion.

It might be harder for the Democrats to pass more legislation under a Democratic Presidency because the Republicans, being partisan contrarians as many politicans are, might vehemently oppose all Democratic bills and might be able to persuade a few Democrats to do the same. On the other hand, it seems more likely that with a Democratic President and a Democratically controlled Congress, the Democrats would be unstoppable when it comes to increasing government spending.

Needless to say, examining a large list of facts often helps validating or disproving such hypotheses.

[The Wrath]

I don't have any faith in McCain to do the right thing economically, but I certainly trust him more than Obama on foreign policy and he's not a religious conservative. Obama will be bad on foreign policy and the economy. I think McCain would probably be the lesser of 2 evils, but I'll vote for Obama anyway. Here's my reason:

Hillary has tried her best to destroy Obama, so that McCain will win and she can run again in 4 years. As I consider her something of an Antichrist, I will vote for Obama if, for no other reason, an Obama victory will end her presidential aspirations. This country will not elect a 70 year-old woman.