This is a proverbial 'off-the-top-of-my-head' analysis/editorial; But, just as a river needs time to literally 'flush out' a huge toxic spill, of any number of possible substances from its system; The same holds true, for our nation's, also 'off-budget' war economy; Where 'moocho' 'US' tax dollars, and borrowed or 'manufactured' out of 'thin air,' American currency; Have, for Too long, been..{and are continuing to be}, funneled down various projects, {civilian & military}, that are as lacking in imagination & usefulness, as a "Carlsbad Cavern" size, Rathole!
 
The only trouble is that, this 'bleeding' of our federal tax-dollars hasn't stopped; Ergo, further delaying.. into the not-so-near future, the day when our nation's economy, is reasonably, 'back-on-track'!
 
With Both major parties, figuretively "running around like chickens, with their heads cut off"; In their futile attempts, {ie. the $700 'Big 'B' bailout, for starters}; And thus far, no end in sight, for Federal 'quick-fix' mega-bucks solutions; Which even the new incoming 'Obama' admin., seems to be 'following.. in-the-footsteps-of'!?
 
Given this state-of-affairs; It's safe to say, that as long as the 'Stupid Does as Stupid Is,' special-interest/quick-fix mindset, runs its course in Washington; This once in a lifetime, recession, bordering on a depression, has..{'imho'}, at least two more years to 'play out'; And counterintuitively, Longer; If this 'quick-fix,' federal-level mindset,/sorely misplaced priorities, continues!
 
{Ps. This was written in my 'Libertarian Party' {alter-ego}, frame-of-mind; For those of you who might've thought, that my chosen term of 'sorely misplaced {gov't} priorities,' referred to our present lack of a federally financed, insurance health-care system; N-O-T!..{but that's a whole, Other 'Story'!}.

 
of course it is not going to stop.
 
At a time when government needs to show conatraint, the president elect has already announced he will raise taxes.
 
Will the increase in spending be more than the increase in revenue? YES
will the spending be more than the budget? YES
will the borrowing increase? YES
 
same as the old boss, no change.