Reply #1: From my POV, the gains made weren't based on sustainable economic models.

[NYC_SKP]

Props to the Clinton administration for leaving a surplus and keeping it together, but the 90's brought us NAFTA and outsourcing, a freeze in CAFE (fuel economy) standards, and there were some good times had by all, but these could not have been sustained over time.

Needless to say, the Bush administration threw out any sense of responsibility and, with that second term, may have delivered a fatal blow.

Certainly a severely crippling blow.

Ouch.