I like many, as you are doing judge people by their actions, not by their words or the type of clothes they wear aka (r) or (d).
The best argument I have seen for the large federal spending in the last few years is that without it the Democrats would have come to power. Like could Kerry have picked up 100k more votes in Ohio if Bush had no perscription drug plan, and it was the centerpiece of the Kerry campaign?
He probably would have.. but if we are constantly moving towards more socialism, more bureaucracy etc.. (like its amazing these sociology professors still have their 120k a year jobs)
If we truly can't push to limit those things in a democracy, then honestly I for one, begin to question democracy's usefulness itself.
The theory is, you must kill it to save it ?