While the democratic congress has not been effective (this is always difficult to do when pres, senate and congress swing multiple ways) you have got to admit that many of Bush's policies have increased spending and bureaucracy. (I'm trying to get you to debate facts here rather than do lib/rep type argument)

I don't think zero deficit is a great idea, especially if foreign countries are willing to fund it, but the US is loosing credibility (well at least attractiveness) on the bond markets and that is very dangerous. So far we've seen a correction in the dollar which is fine. A run on the dollar would be scary for the whole world.

It seems to me that the biggest problem in US politics is the lack of a selective veto for the president. If the president had a selective veto then the kind of pork that slips into bills would be thrown out and you wouldn't get this bartering along the lines of (exaggerated) "you can have your bridge if I can have my war".