[pshrynk]

You are talking about two different types of deficit. The Federal deficit that comes of the government spending more than it takes in with taxes. Then the Trade deficit, which comes of importing more than you export. The two are linked in some very esoteric ways, but not directly.

The health care bill starts out by increasing the Federal deficit and then ends up by lowering it over the long run. That is. if all the projections made by the CBO come true. They don't, most of the time. But they are off in either direction about the same frequency.

Reagan caused a big deficit in the service of making Communism go away. He succeeded, but it cost a lot. Bush Sr had a big deficit because the economy was in the tank for much of his four years. Clinton had budget surplus because the dot.com boom took place during his term. Bush Jr had a deficit because the dot.com and housing bust took place during his terms. We have yet to see what will happen with Obama, since it's only been a year.

Terribly over-simplified, I realize. However, the point I am trying to make is that the guy in office has very little to do with what actually happens in an economy, which is a huge chaotic system.