[SGCOS]

It wasn't because of tax breaks or not enough spending - it was because of government tinkering that was trying to "fix" the economy, particularly interest rates.

Of course, the clinton administation looking the other way on fraudulent books, false investment companies, etc. had nothing to do with the false economy of the 90's.

[pgyanke]

"Of course, what needs to happen is to let those investments fail, without government interference, and perhaps investors will learn in the future not to make unwise investments."

EXACTLY! The difference between a capitalist economy and the command economies of socialism is EFFICIENCY. Businesses that can't compete, die. In socialism, even losing ventures are propped up and there's no incentive for innovation and reform.

Get the government out of "saving" investments and businesses. Let them fail, if they deserve to, and more efficient operations will replace them.